AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 473, 16 May 1857, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

•'; Tlie 'necessities which have led to the investiture of the Superintendenf with these important powers have also suggested'the means by which lie should be guided in their exercise. Thus, in this Province as in others, an Executive GovernWeht Ordinance has been passed by which the Superintendent is bound to have an Executive Council, by whose advice he is to be guided in carrying oil the Government of the province. I do'not consider'it necessary in'this place to di§enss:ftt length the advantages or otherwise of tlijs order of things. I siniply lay- before you tlie -''nature of the office as I find it, and the circitmstauces that have led to its present form -of'development. Nevertheless, I will not shrink from avowing my opinion/that not only theoretically is the existing arrangement to be approved and defended, but that, in practice also, it supplies, under the present physical peculiarities of N«w Zealand, .the scantiness of its population, and the difficulties of inter-communication^ the best and most efficient means by which the affairs of the various 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 "in* telligent 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 pioyince., the Executive Council to the Provincial Council, and the Provincial Council in its turn to the people. Whilst then the Constitution 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 pnty 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 alloriginal 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 undertakeit 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 i 3 termed ' a policy' by which he should be considered bound during his tenure of office. I have shown that the lawcompels the Superintendent to act under advice. I have.ako 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 Council, he must either attempt to carry on the Government with an adverse Council or modify his views in deference to theirs. I think the cases can be very few indeed in which doubt can exist as to which course should be pursued. . 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 arid 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 not approve of the price that has been 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 as under any circumstances it could receive. When the price of land was under deliberation in the legislature of this province, every reasonable sum, and almost every imaginable mode of payment was proposed to the Council and discussed. I should probably he within the mark were I to say that more than a dozen divisions took place on this point. Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, and sixty shillings were all separately advocated and proposed. The mode of payment, too, whether by money down or by instalments, was equally the subject of difference of opinion and division in the Council, jjz length, however, by almost universal concurrence, the present price ~o£ £2 per acre (prompt payment) was determined on. That price has not yet been tried more than a twelvemonth, and even if there were no experience in its favour, I should still, for the reasons I have given, be indisposed to change. But I think the experience of the brief time during wliich £2 has been the established price may be safely appealed to in its support. The sains of landjwithout being in any way forced, have been free and continuous ever since. Nor is there at prosent any indication of falling off. And should there be no falling off, the estimated revenue from this source during the coming year is £10,000. But what appears to me to be th e

most satisfactory fact connected with those sales is this—that the large majority of them have been made to persons, of the working classes and to bona fide settlers and cultivators of the soil. It may be fairly asked, how much of this laud would have found its way into their hands had the price been materiall^i lower ? It is matter of notoriety that, .within two ;or three days of the present regulations coining into operation, some large capitalists arrived here for the purpose of making expensive speculative purchases, even outside, the original Canterbury block, and at a distance from the cultivated districts. How much land worth naving would have been left inside, and especially in the" neighbourhood of your towns, had the cheap land policy prevailed, I leave you to conjecture. But there are also extensive interests to be' considered in tins question of price. .On the firm belief that it was definitely settled a very large amount of capital has been embarked in pastoral pursuits; and I think the faith of the legislature and the Government is pledged to its protection—that is, protection to this extent— that the order of things under which that capital was invested and the stockowriers induced to enter on their separate enterprises should not be liable to frequent change. But I am disposed to maintain that regard for oar own interests, no less than good faith towards others, should, prompt us to resist any alteration in the price of land. The produce of our pastoral districts now constitutes a most important item in our commerce. Whilst agritulture is at present languishing, and its prospects are much clouded, the pastoral interest is happily flourishing as much as-could reasonably be desired. Already, .wool is our'main export, the clip of 1856 being valued at £70,000; and in a few years it will acquire a magnitude that will abundantly justify all which legislation has done towards encouraging its growth. * Nor is'this-all. While the pastoral interest is contributing to the progress of the country, as every interest does which materially increases its export trade, it is also yielding largely to our' territorial revenue. Within a year or two the rents derivable from that source will be alone sufficient, not only to pay the large contribution annually required from this province towards the extinguishment of the New Zealand Company's debt, but will leave a considerable balance available for the use of the province. The present price of land, Gentlemen, constitutes the main, almost the only protection of the pastoral interest; and I ask you seriously to reflect whether it is expedient to withdraw it—whether- it is wise to kill the goose for. the golden egg, and interrupt this steady and satisfactory progress for the sake of a sudden influx: of money into the Treasury,which our resources in labour may not permit us profitably to expend, and the possession of which might tempt us to My own conviction is that it would not.

Another subject on-which I desire to say a few more words is our .form of Government. There are some persons who regard the present mode of administering the affairs of the province as too cumbersome and too pretentious, and who talk of conducting the Government after the model of a corporate town in England, of which a Mayor, Aldermen, and Council are the presiding geniuses. Never having been a member of one of those select societies, I am perhap3 unable to appreciate properly the advantages of such a mode of Government. It is, however, not long since that the jobbery, peculation, and corruption, which, had grown out of the old corporate system in England, led to a sweeping measure of reform, by which the whole of those model Governments, excepting that of London, were swept away. And now it appears that the days of the corporation of London itself* are numbered. Experience, therefore, does not appear to justify the preference shown for corporation rule, and, personally, I can feel but little attachment to a system which has produced such results. But in truth, there , is. no fair . analogy between the circumstances of a municipal corporation in England and a province in_ New Zealand. To no corporation has there ever .been committed anything like the power conferred on the Superintendents and Provincial Councils of this country, namely, the power to legislate for the entire people of a province—or, in the words, of the Constitution Act—" to make and ordain all such laws and ordinances as may be required for the peace, order, and good government of the province." This alone destroys all parallel in the cases.

• It is said, however, that even if the anakW fails, it will be more economic todo away with the existing departments and haye the business of the Government conducted by the Provincial Council divided into committees. I must-aav that I disbelieve in this altogether. It assumes that these committees will dp their work without remuneration. I know, not on whatgr^u^* gentlemen can be expected to devote their time to the public service without; return. Nor do I think the public desire that 'they should do so But there is no warrant (fprbeliey ing. that any persons could be found who would so act. Certainly the practice of the Provincial Council at the present time does not justify the expectation Every member residing beyond a certain distance from Christchurch is paid a certain sum ?er diem for every day he attends the Council, f, then, the members of committees are all t<> be paid their expenses merely, the system will not only be cumbrous and clumsy, but more expensive than the .present one. If they are not to be paid, ray belief is that the attendant will be-so irregular as to ma,ke the system obstructive of the business of Government. I yield, gentlemen, to no man in a desire to see introduced into all the departments of Government a rigid economy. It must, however, be one consistent with efficiency.^ It is noteconomy else. My conviction is, that the plan put for* ward is as fatal both to efficiency and economy as ingenuity could devise. There is one further. subject to which I will allude, for though it does not come within bur control and is not a question, of, dpmestic policy, it is one, nevertheless, on which the efficient Government of the province is so dependent as in my opinion to demand notice in this place. I refer to the seat of the General' Government. Every day's experience shows how seriously the administration of ; our affair* is embarrassed by the great distance of this General Government from us. I am: anxious therefore to state my desire, in whatever position I may be placed', to co-operate with those who will strive to bring it to a more central spot.

There are many other subjects, gentlemen, to which I might direct your attention,- ; but this address has already,, I fear, exceeded convenient length. Opportunities, however, will doubtless be presented in which such subjects may be discussed between us. It will be my business, so far as may be practicable, to wait upon you.

With regard, however, to'a canvass, I must express my great regret that .one should be necessary, not on the score of trouble, nor because it may expose a candidate to inconvenient questioning, but because I entertain a strong conviction; that the highest office of the province should be conferred by the people rather than won from them by the ordinary means of an electioneering canvass. Motives more or less impure will be attributed to the candidate, which Cannot fail to disturb those feelings of deference and regard which should attach to the person filling so high an office. By some he will be looked upon as an adventurer practising on the confidence of his fellow-citizens for some unworthy object—by some as stimulated by inordinate vanity and ambition—and by others as impelled by a love of; official power ; whilst it pan hardly be possible in an active canvass to avoid rousing feelings of animosity'and hostility, which it is most desirable should not exist. I can only say for myself that it will be my anxious desire to keep the canvass as clear of these evils as possible.

And now, gentlemen, it only remains for me to assure you that, whatever the result of this appeal, I shall be perfectly satisfied -with your decision. "While I admit most freely that the office [of Superintendent of this province may well be regarded as an object of laudable ambition,yet I feel so conscious of the labour, anxiety, and responsibility of the office, as to regard it with much more of apprehension than desire. I have, however, endeavoured to show that tha "Government will not rest solely on the Superintendent, but on him in conjunction with advisers. With this view of the nature of the office, and with the hope that, should you confer it upon me, 1 shall not fail to secure the assistance of good and able advisers, I respectfully offer my* self to you as a candidate for it. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your very obedient and humble, servant, JOSEPH j-BRITTAN. Lin wood, April 3, 1857,

The WiixtaM ; DiiNiNTfi-^Thie one-half interest oft he, Auckland Stea'm^NaVigajion Companyiu tViis s(;eam.ship, as js.he now. Ijtjs■ stranded at the NouhCape, was subniitted; to public .c.qmpetitioO-by Mesisrs. ; Coiindl and Ridings on Wednesday. ■last.iLThe attendance iiwjis: unusually large,—^so much; co, thai the^saier.tookq places outside the Auetiotv Maft.i The-prescribed terms of sale was c;Wh :ort the fall of;the hammer, \ and those terms-^^hot witlistatrfclirig a inodificatjoii that \Vas suggested; viz., a (ibposit of 25. per, gent M jand ,tlie p^vymerit of balance wlieii it'should be'sh.o^yn-^ai., 'there: $as no mortga^e.oit claim upon tlif r Vesse!, and jwlieif a clear' title to hfet/'should be made out'r-^\y.e',re" stringeritl} 7 ad}i|sred| to. The "first bid was £300—from thqit.atjtji^ped ■ t0.£500-rnsiMg:Btea4ily.:: : b'y ; .--fi('ti?sß at .each advance until it leached jf2ooo. at whiclr cum the vessel was; kii'ocrked down-to /Mr.: Charles Day is, -'^on dit'as-o'ne 6f a Conftpany by \yhom her flotation; and Veparfltio'n-is about to be '■'att"ernrjiteid.;- rWe Cannot- refrain from congratulating, the shareh'pWe'rs of the:'Av^.'N/.;Co^{V^ny - \upprr.,'|;ii^; ?ijlyaii-; tageous sale which lias been eflUpled. Wl.iether the vessel may or may jjot be float d from off the rock^fat i^hejNbrtli Cape, lime must sliow; but looking at the expense her flotation and^ reparation -must -inevitably; occur, we. fiaui)i)t. b,itt coincid/i irijtlieo^Uiion' maintaiiw;d t j.iroufriifitftlt; by JfJ.i?,- JVJoniefiore, that the first bss.^viill. be tke..:best loss,espe- tciaily wheh modified- byi'so considerable:a salvage a>;-£2oooi •' A dividend of £-1 per share, we p'g'rc^i'i'e^ is hoyr1 'payable.— l New Zealancler^' "_:'' ' , ;"7 i ' "'.'''' ■'■''''■'<,