THE PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1267, 21 August 1872, Page 2

THE PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1872.

The first impression formed as to the resuscitation of the question of Insular Provincialism was that the subject had been revived by Mr Reynolds simply for a party purpose— as a counter-blast to the resolutions placed upon the notice-paper by Mr Curtis. These resolutions have, however, been considered and condemned on their merits. They met with no sympathy from the country, and fortunately with such feeble sympathy in the House of Representatives that the presumed champion of the ultra-Provincial party, Mr Fitzherbert, was the first to deal them their death-blow. Proposed by a reputed Centralist with questionable sincerity, they were disposed of with much less questionable propriety by a prominent Provincialist ; were shelved satis ceremonie by the House ; and nobody sorrowed at the event. The field is thus open to Mr Reynolds to bring forward his resolutions with a greater chance of getting them considered on their merits, but, as it happens, with less probability of finding them heartily supported. As a counter-blast to the resolutions of Mr Curtis, and in a trial of the strength of parties, they might have secured a very considerable amount of support, but merely * as abstract propositions placed before a House in a condition of coldblood, it is doubtful if they will be dealt with otherwise than in a dilletante manner. With the several measures of a practical character which have already been introduced, with the Treasurer's financial statement to be discussed, with a direct, want-of-confidence motion impending, and with no propositions embodying opposite principles, it is doubtful if the House will either have time or temper to debate a change which it is the interest of so many to avert, and about which so many more can afford to feel indifferent. To suppose that, under these or any other circumstances, Mr Reynolds will be persuaded to abandon his pet scheme is to suppose that his temperament has undergone an extraordinary change, and that he is no longer characterised by that tenacity of purpose for which he has hitherto been remarkable. Having on a former occasion given way to the representations of his friends and of the friends of the Government, and having then only retired from the field with the full determination to revive the question on the earliest possible opportunity, he is more likely, now that he has revived it, to push it to a division, if his doing so should- serve no other purpose than that of recording the votes of those who sympathise with him in seeking a change. That he will carry his propositions is highly improbable, but some good may be done by the matter being only debated, and, if debate there be, we shall look forward to tho report of it with more than ordinary interest. On the Ministerial benches alone he has three avowed supporters of his views, and whether they retain their places, or are compelled to change seats with the Opposition, an expreMion of opinion from them will be of

some importance aa indicating the extent of their sympathy with the measure, and the probability of their making it part of their policy in a future session. As elaborated in the long series of resolutions of which Mr Reynolds has given notice, he proposes, first, that the existing Provincial boundaries and institutions should be abolished, arid that two Provinces should be established, the dividing line being Cook Straits. Wellington city, he suggests, should still be the capital city of the Colony, and the seat of the Colonial Government, but he would convert it into a sort of Berwick-on-Tweed, by providing that it "shall be governed) solely by its own municipal authorities and Colonial laws, and shall not be affected by Provincial legislation." The general legislature, according to his plan, would consist of a Legislative Council and a House of Representatives holding triennial sittings — the former body to consist of an equal number of members from each Province, the Governor nominating four times the number elected ; and as a Colonial Executive he proposes a triumvirate — namely, a Colonial Treasurer, Secretary, and Commissioner of Customs. The legislation and administration of this Colonial Government, he considers, should be confined to the Judicial, Postal, and Customs departments, and all matters connected with the liabilities of the Colony, and such other subjects as shall, from time to time, be declared by a majority of each Provincial Council to be subjects of Colonial rather than Provincial concern. To the two Provincial Councils he would give unlimited powers of legislation and administration on all subjects excepting those reserved to the General Assembly. Other details of the scheme are a Superintendent for eaah Province nominated by the Crown, but removable by resolution of three-fifths of the members of Council, and the selection of Akaroa as the seat of Government in the Southern Province ! The seat of Government for the North Island he does not condescend to mention, and, in the absence of any explanation why he chooses Akaroa, it might have been discretion on his part to have left that place also unmentioned, unless he means it as a bit of sarcasm. The resolutions referring to the financial arrangements between the two proposed Governments and Provinces are as follow : —

All the revenue from whatever source collected within the two Provinces shall be payable to the Colonial Treasurer, who shall thereout satisfy (1.) The annual charges payable to the public creditor in respect of all existing general or Provincial loans ; and (2.) All Colonial expenditure authorised by the General Assembly. A separate account of all revenue derived from each Province shall be kept, against which respectively shall be debited, (1.) The annual charge for consolidated and General Government interest and sinking funds in proportion to the population, whether European or native, of each Province. (2.) The annual charge for interest and sinking fund due by the aggregate of each Province. (3.) The Colonial expenditure applicable directly to each Province, and where not directly applicable, in the proportion before mentioned. (4.) Balances in favor to be paid to each Province.

In consideration of the Northern Province undertaking the sole liability for the preservation of peace and native affairs, there shall be paid annually by the Southern to the Northern Province the sum of £ for years, and thereafter of £ for years. The interest and sinking fund on all moneys raised or to be raised under the Public Works and Immigration and Railways Acts of 1870 and 1871, shall be a charge against the Provinces in proportion to the money so raised for expenditure in each Province.

In all particulars, this scheme of Mr Reynolds is scarcely likely to recommend itself to the general sense of the House or the Colony, but, despite its crudeness, it goes more in the direction of thorough constitutional reform than any other scheme which has yet been propounded, and, improved in details, it is certainly much more likely to find favor with the public than the recently debated and fortunately defeated programme of the Provincial Conservatives.