Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 463, 11 April 1857, Page 4

Nevertheless, I will.not shrink from avowing my opinion, that not only theoretically is: the existing arrangement to be approved, arid defended, but that, in "practice also, ' it supplies, under the present physical peculiarities of New Zealand, the scantiness of its population, and the difficulties of inter-communication, the best and most efficient means by which' the affairs of the vaiious provinces can be at present - administered. In it too the great principle of self government is fully recognised. The power you possess, and which you have periodically to exercise, of electing your Superintendent, ought to secure you the services of an active and intelligent officer. That officer has the assistance of. an Executive Council whose acts must be supported by the approval of the Provincial Council: Throughout the whole arrangement the principle of responsibility is, brought to bear. The Superintendent is responsible, to the province,'the Executive Council to the Provincial Council, and the Provincial Council in its turn to the people. Whilst then the Constitution j Act remains unaltered, I am unable to imagine ! a system of Provincial Government under it combining more.of simplicity, efficiency, and economy. I say while the Constitution" Act is unaltered, for you are not unaware that' many persons are of opinion that it can be amended. It would, however, be an unprofitable occupation of your time and altogether beside my present purpose to consider on this occasion possible changes. My duty is to deal with facts. If changes are introduced it can only be by an authority to which Superintendents in common with all others, affected by them must bow. I take*it, then, that the Superintendent in his Executive capacity is simply the head of the Government and not the Government itself, an officer charged with the execution of certain duties committed to him by law and for the most part defined by law, and that in all original and discretionary acts of importance he is bound to proceed in conformity with the advice he may receive from his Executive Council. Gentlemen, I accept this view of the office as much from choice as necessity. No consideration could induce me to undertake it if the responsibility of Government were not shared in this, way. ' - ' You will then, I have no doubt, concur with me in thinking that it would be inconsistent for a candidate holding these views to express himself dogmatically on particular subjects, or labour to produce what is termed ' a policy' by which he should be considered bound during his tenure of office. I have shown that the law compels the Superintendent to act under advice. I have also shown that he can only retain such advisers as the Provincial Council will support. It is obvious, nay certain, that those advisers may, at one time, be persons holding one set of opinions, and at another time persons holding opinions directly opposite. It is equally obvious that the Superintendent could not agree with both. Should he unfortunately differ with those who have the confidence of the Provincial j Council, he must either attempt to carry on the j Government with an adverse Council or modify , his views in deference to theirs. I think the i cases can be very few indeed in which doubt can ! exist as to which course should be pursued. j But while, for these reasons, I abstain from placing before you a policy which shall imply a rigid' adherance to particular views on particular subjects, as being both indiscreet and at variance with the spirit of our present law, I have no hesitation in expressing my opinions frankly on some subjects of general interest and importance, which I believe are being at present discussed by you. It is said, but with what amount of accuracy I am unable to state, that there are some persons who do riot approve of the price.that has | befcn fixed on our Waste lands and who will : make it the subject of appeal to you. It must be unnecessary, Gentlemen, to insist on the fact that nothing can be more objectionable amongst our own selves, or more calculated to discourage persons in other countries from settling here than uncertainty on this point. I could almost say that it would be wiser to adhere to an arrangement having some imperfections in it than by frequent changes to create the impression that no settled law on this subject will ever prevail amongst us. But I.venture to assert that the question has already received as ample deliberation asunder any circumstances it could receive. When the-price of land was under deliberation in the legislature of this province, every reasonable sum, and