THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 198, 20 April 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1867.

Several circumstances have occurred recently which seem to indicate the withdrawal from the Provincial Governments of the delegated powers under the Gold Fields Act, aud that the General Government intends to assume the direct administration of the various gold fields in -th.c colony. Not the least significant is the reputed appointment of Mr J. B. Biadshaw as Minister of Mines, at a salary of £1000 a year, which appointment although not officially announced is given credence to by too many authorities to. be far removed from the truth. Another symptom of an impending change is the withholding the- delegation from the new Superintendent of Otago — a circumstance that cannot be accounted for simply as an affront to Mr Macandnnv, because the Ministry had already sanctioned his election as Superintendent, and thus merged his identity into, his official character. Beside?, the delegated powers of the Governor under the Gold Fields Act are not conferred on the Superintendents personally, but in conjunction with the Executives aud the Provincial Councils. The non-renewal of the powers held by Mr MacaudreVs predecessor is a step which deprives both the Provincial Government and Council of all authority in the administration of the. gold fields" and would hardly have been ventured on had there not been an intention on the part of the Geneva! Government to ashiunc the full control. The election of Mr Macandrew iu«iy have 'presented- -the' opportunity of initialing the ceu^ralifcution of gold fields ■ .■■.':.■ - : :^---fc: -- ■-■%:#! ... \ .

administration perhaps a Jittle earlier than was intended, but t^at is; all. We are not aware wLetb.er the same course has been followed with regard tp. the new Superintendent .of NelsQij, "but it is ■ possible that such is the .case. The tw;o circumsfcanposto whi.ch -^c have aljucled, taken in connection with the pther steps towards centralisation which have been taken by the General Government, induce us tp think that it intends assuming the full powers which it already possesses uncler the Gold Fields Act. A great variety o,f .opinipn exists, on the question of Gold Fields Administra- ■ tion, and much can be said; in favor of either side. Perhaps it may b.e prp.fi fcr able to discuss the question, and endetivor to see what would be tlie results*— advantageous or otherwise, of having the whqle of tlie gold fields qf the colony placed under one system pf management. Up to the present, as our readers are aware, it has been the plan tp allow the various provinces to manage their own gold fields, subject to i certain reservations of power io the Governor. So long as the provincial system continues this s,eeu}s tp be the most convenient course, as in most cases public influence is sufficient to counteract any gi-pss neglect or mismanagement. It would bo yery unsatisfactory and productive pf great difficulty |f twp sets of authorities existed on the gpld fields. The General Government, although it might take the whole control of the gold fields sp far as the administyotipn pf the Act is pp.ncerned, would be powerless in other matters. Tho application oi the revenue would still rest with the provincial authorities, who alone would be responsible for carrying out public -works. "We don't see either how even so simple a. matter as making a miner's right available all over the colony could be carried out, as this fee conies under t]ie head of laud revenue, and, as such, belong to the prpvpjce in *yhich it is levied. Possibly some details pf .goldfields administration could be more promptly and satisfactorily dealt with' by the General Government, but, pn the other hand, the provincial authorities are more directly under the influence of local opinion, and more intimately concerned in the good management of their gold fields. There are some important advantages that would be attached to the General Government management which deserve men tion-r-for instance, it would be in the power of the officer in charge, or Commissioner, at once to establish Post-offices, Resident Magistrates' Courts, Custom-houses, declare ports of entry, and dp many minor, but necessary, things which at present are outstfp the functions pf the Provincial Government. But it is doubtful if even these advantages would compensate for the difficulties that would naturally arise out of divided authority. We are decidedly of opinion that so long as the provincial system of government continues, it would be a misfortune rather than a benefit if the delegated powers of the Gold Fields Act were withdrawn. But the question assumes a different phase if t'hc provincial system is to be abolished — or what is practically the same thing, tho land funds of the provinces arp to be taken possession of by the General Government. This step has more than puce lean threatened, itnd the way has already been prepared by the appointment of receivers of land revenues in each province, to whom all territorial receipts have to be paid, instead of, as previously, to the Provincial Treasurer. We must, however, reserve further comments on this portion of the subject until our next issue.