PROVINCIALISM VERSUS CENTRALISM.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 69, 27 April 1868, Page 103

PROVINCIALISM VERSUS CENTRALISM.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, —I noticed in a late issue of the Times one of your correspondents (MrDnncaii) expressing himself in. favor of Provincial Governments being “ swpt away” and of a strong Central Government instituted under the presidency of the host, Mr Stafford. In recording my views on the subeel, I have no desite to enter into a controversy with your correspondent; but the matter being one of great importance cannot, at the present time, be too well ventilated.

I entirely concur with you, Mr Editor, in thinking that it is not centralism that is needed, but decentralisation. That there has been gross mismanagement in the affairs of the Provinces few, if any, are prepared to deny ; but the fault wiU'be found to be chiefly in the administration rather than in the Constitution itself. Notwithstanding their extravagance the General Government has far exceeded them in this respect.' It is folly, therefore, to advocate Centralism on the score of economy. ■Let the Provincial Governments be re-modelled—-not swept away; simplify their machinery, and economise as much as possible, consistent with efficiency ; but, above all, commit to the outlying districts the management of their own local affairsIf merged in a Central Government, Hawke's Bay —ninth her two or three representatives—would become a mere nonentity, and reduced to much the same position she enjoyed previous to separation from Wellington ; her claims would seldom, if ever, be recognised. The recent contemptuous treatment of Mr Ormond and his constituency , in regard to the Waipawa Telegraphy -Station, -is an earnest of what we may surely expect under Central rule. Let the settlers of this Province, therefore, beware of the despotic designs of Stafford, especially as there seems to be a diposition on the part of our Provincial rulers to consign us, nolens volens, to his tender mercies. If an appeal to the country is made, I have little doubt but an ovenokelming majority wiU declare themselves in favor, not of Centralism, but of modified Provincialism.—l am, fy-c. A PROFINCIALIST.