PROVINCIAL CHANGES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 203, 27 August 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL CHANGES.

The following is the concluding portion of Mr Vogel's speech in moving the resolutions relative to the abolition of Provincial Institutions in the North Island : — To sum up what I have said : It seems (o mo that, in the interests of both islands, the time has come when it is better the North Island should have within it but one form of government ; that effecting this change will remove provincial divisions and distinctions, which have vo meaning, and will substitute for them really inexpensive local control and supervision, so that probably every district will receive fair attention. I believe that by the change we shall secure for the North Island efficient ordinary services and satisfactory provisions for the great work of .education. I believe that, by adopting the plan now proposed, we shall be able to readjust the finances of the colony, and save ourselves from continually drifting in the direction of unduly charging ordinary revenue, and neglecting fairly to charge land revenue. We shall save ourselves from a great deal of expenditure, and from muny expedients which have had to be yearly resorted to, with the object of enabling the Government to carry on the immigration and public works policy, free from the opposition which has been shown to it. There need be no disguise about it— during the last two years the Government have had great labor in carrying on that policy, not from any difficulties inherent to it, but from the difficulty of giving satisfaction to provincial wants in this island; from the difficulty of having to adjust the finances of the provinces — of having to carry out works which properly should not be charged to consolidated revenue, but which had to be so cbarged if they were to be carried out at all, the consequence being that we were obliged to charge in the same way an equivalent amount voted to the Middle Island. When we take possession of this island, and release its landed estate from all charges except such as should properly be made against it, and put it to good k use, there need be no fear of its being / insufficient for all requirements. We shall not only be thus relieving the colony from what is a great evil, but we shall enable the finance of the colony to be conducted on principles of which we can thoroughly approve. We are asking the House to take charge of n very groat work. I do not know that I could point to another island on the face of the globe which unites so fully all the conditions mankind can wish for in order to its carryicg a large population, as does this North Island of New Zealand. It will support a much larger population than tbe Middle Island. It has many advantages for so doing. Ij has great tracts of rich land— great maritime advantages — many and varied resources — an excellent climate. It 13 altogether such an island that I think we ought to look upon the opportunity of taking posseasion and starting it upon a career of prosperity^ as a thing to be done with the utmost satisfaction. It offers to this colony the means of dealing, in a statesmanlike manner, with the question of settlement, under the best possible conditions. We have it free to our hands to assist to coloniza it thoroughly and to make if, as quickly as we think desirable, the home of en immense and thriving population. We should at tbe same time end that feverish impatience which the larger provinces of the Middle Island now constantly show, to put their land revenue and their landed estate beyond the reach of any possible political contingency. And we should settle another question of a very vexed nature : that of the seat of government. These are the reasons which, primarily, have induced the Government to bring forward tbe resolutions. Far from the question being one of no great urgency, I am of opinion it would have been much better if we had dealt with it broadly four years ago, when the Middle Island was first asked to undertake the responsibility it has assumed as to this island. I hope that the resolutions will command the support of a large majority of members, in which case, as it seems to me, it will be perfectly legitimate for the House to deal definitely with tbe questions involved. j Before I conclude, I desire to say a few words upon almost a personal question. I have said that I know I am liable to be told that I have changed my opinions. There are two species of political tergiversation — one which arises from conviction, the other which arises from the whisperings of ambition : one which is of a purely public-spirited nature, tbe other which is entirely of a private and personal nature. I think it is simply impossible for any honorable member to suppose that any personal ambition or selfish object can have animated me in this matter. I had every reason of a personal nature that a man could possibly have, for remaining quiet as to this question. The Govemuent had a very large majority ; the session was nearly over ; honorable members were inclined to follow the Government. We have taken up this question uot as consulting our own convenience : it would have been, perhaps, much pleaaanter, personally, not to have had anything to do with it. Can any honorable member suppose for a moment that we have brought down these resolutions for any other reason than becauae we have a strong conviction that the change we propose, the circumstances of the

country render necessary ? The course we are faking is one that will cause us much personal pain, and will embroil us in a struggle in which we might naturally, and very heartily, desire not to be enbroiled. For myself, it is likely to end political -.alliances which have lasted for years, and, perhaps, to alienate from me support which -has been most generously and ungrudgingly given in the past. I will hope that it may not be so. Had I given weight to considerations of this kind, or had I listened merely to the whisperings of ambition or the promptings of personal convenience. I should have left this question untouched. But I felt that the change we are now proposing to make was one which the country imperatively require?. I felt that the question was one which bad been often approached, but always in a timid manner,; and that it was one needing to be dealt with boldly — not by undermining, or sapping, or concealment, but in the most open and undisguised way. And if the result should be, that the House and the country prove averse to the proposed change, it will, be a pleasure to retire from office with the knowledge that we have not, in order to retain our seats as Miuisters, failed to do that which we considered tobe our duty to the country.