PROVINCIAL CHANGES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 305, 10 September 1874, Page 2

PROVINCIAL CHANGES.

We take from tbe __/. Z. Times the following report of a portion of tbe Premier's speech in tbe second debate on thia subject : —

THE PROPOSED CHANGES — THEIR ECONOMY.

We were going to introduce tbe French prefet system, the honorable member for Selwyn said : that was one of the bits made by the honorable gen tieman. It seems to me, however, that a proposal to obtain a plebiscite of tbe people— and the idea of " stumping " tbe provinces, and appealing to popular prejudices, in order to catch a popular vote — is a much nearer approach to a French system than anything we have proposed. But how was it that the honorable member did not look with aversion upon the prefet system when he filled the position of Resident Minister for the Middle Island ? I was a member of the Government when tbat appointment was made. It never struck me that we were imitating the French system when we made it; and Ido not think it struck the honorable member for Selwyn; and yet we were doing so then, much more nearly than we shall by anything now proposed. One is necessarily, I suppose, subjected to a good deal of misrepresentation upon tbis question. Suppose we do propose to have a Resident Minister in Auckland, and a Government Agent in Hawke's Bay, and in Taranaki. One would suppose tbat such offices were utterly unknown in the Colony. But, in fact, what I indicated as that which we thought we should desire to continue, has been done for a very long time. Since last session, scarcely a month has passed away without a Minister being in Auckland ; and if we look back ior many years we shall find that, except during the period of the session, tbe same has been the case. There has long been an agent of the General Government in Hawke's Bay ; and, for native matters more especially, there has been an agent in Taranaki. There is nothing new in this proposal of ours. Yet the boa member for th9 Hutt comes to the House this evening, and coolly states that we propose to introduce a " Central Bureuecratic Authority." He has not condescended to use a single argument to show that such is the case; and I say that nothing could be further from our intentions than tbat which he attributes to us. We are asked, how we are going to save expenditure by what we propose? I am not going to make — it is not suitable that I should attempt to make — a financial statement respecting the Provinces; but every oue who has any knowledge of Provincial affairs can see lhat either we can save money or secure greater efficiency by substituting a strong Government in this island. We should save, at any rate, all the present legislative and executive expenditure, and that is not inconsider* able. We should save a very large proportion of the present police expenditure. As to survey expenditure, why Provincial and General Government surveyors are almost working side by side at present ; and we could certainly save in tbat direction. I think it was Dickens who said that, in the United States, if you were introduced to a stranger you might safely conclude that he was a colonel or a general ; and so, if yoa meet a stranger in the couutry districts of this North Island, you may just as safely conclude that ~ lie is a : Government surveyor. Under the head of miscellaneous expenditure, I believe we could save in many ways. As to police matters, they could be conducted at least with greater efficiency by means of, or in connection with, the Defence Force already organised by tbe colony. As to public works, I need scarcely speak of saving; for io this island they are not conducted as they are in the great provinces of Otago and Canterbury, seeing that the provinces of this island have only the form rather than the substance of government. In all these matters, I repeat that much could be saved, or greater efficiency be secured at the present cost. The bird's-eye view afforded by the figures I quoted in moving the Government resolutions, must have convinced hon. members of that fact.

PUBLIC MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

I had tbe honor of being, on Saturday evening, burned in effigy in Auckland. I mention the fact, only for the purpose of assuring hon members that Ido not feel any the worse for it. So little, it appears, were the proposals of the Government understood in Auckland, and so usefully have the telegraph, and pens and ink, been employed ia misdirecting the minds of men there, that a very serious misapprehension exists in tbe northern part of this island as to the nature of the Government's proposals. I say that if the people of Auckland would only look into this question as one of common sense, they could uot hesitate a moment in hailing with delight tbe boon which ie offered them, of relief from all those sordid and humiliating conditions which have surrounded them during the lest few years. Can any man who, wiih his eyes open, has travelled about these islands, bave a doubt respecting the Seat of Government, or as to the necessity of localising the land revenue? Can anybody suppose that tbe sensible men of Auckland will, for the sake of two ideas of the most visionary kind, renounce that which is now offered them — the opportunity of going on, of themselves, with the ordinary work of settling and governing tbat

part of the colony — of affording proper education to the young of their community, of enjoying generally those advantages which so widely distinguish the Southern Provinces, from those of the North ? I refuse to believe or i to suppose anything of the kind. It is simply a question of misunderstanding the Government proposals. I freely admit that the question of the seat ol Government has nothing to do with the question of the abolition of the Provinces in this island; and tbat the ratification of the compact of 1856 has nothing really to do with it. But what were we ti do? Suppose the Government had proposed to abolish tbe Provinces, and had not mentioned either of the other matters. Suppose two Superintendendents, one from the South and the other from the Nortb, to bave listened to such a proposal. Immediately one of them rushes to the members from his province, and exclaims, "You see what the Government are going to do. They are going to upset the compact of 1856, and take possession of our land revenue." The other Superintendent rushes to the members of his province, and says, '* You see ! The Government means to remove the seat of government ! " That is what realy occurred, What can wa do against such misrepresenta tion ? It is a case of Bardell v. Pickwick," again, * Chops and tomato sauce ! " *• Chops I Gracious heavens ! and tomato sauce ! " Heartless old villain, so to trifle with the feelings of a poor lone widow ! What is he not capable of doiog ? And what are we to do when it is said, again and again that we intend to remove the seat of government ? We can but point to our resolutions, and repeat that such is not the case. So as to the compact of 1856 When it is reiterated that we desire to upset it, we can only say that we do not. We cannot telegraph, and write, and get publication in different parts of . the colony, aa hon. members can. I absolutely read io that enlightened paper, the Lyttelton Times, a statement that the proposals of tha Government were, bi oadly, to the effect of upsetting the compact of 1856, and taking possession

9 fsJ-J-_-J ,and avenue of the Middle Island. Hon. members will see, therefore, why it was necessary to refer, in t^o resolutions, to the compact and to the seat of government question, though neither of those subjects hss, neces--Bar|ly, a_ylbinp to do with the abolition ?f K^fe-Noic^: Island provinces. Tonight, the hon. member for the Hutt has solemnly propounded that we proPPB» to substitute for existing institutions in this island "a Central Bureaucratic Authority," just as though Wehili'eyei' proposed or contemplated $cji I tfiing. He takes the thing for granted;^ and, if not his hearers, very many of these who read his speech will be ready to believe that we do propose such a change. If men are only bold enough in making their assertions, there is .scarcely any assertion that some people will not believe. In Auckland, apparently, ninety-nine men out of a hundred say; " True, we object to provincialism ; but," some add, "what we want is, that all ibe provinces should be destroyed. We are not content that only the provinces of this island should be abolished." To which I reply, that, as long as Otago *nd Canterbury can carry on the duties $ Government with advantage, I see no reason why the Government or tbe House should be -led away by a cry that what is done as to one province must be done as to all. So long as those two provinces can be carried on with adv&htage to tbe colony, I hold that we should allow them to be carried on. , THE LAND AND LAND BEVENUE. I said the other day, what I had said before, and what I now say emphatically, tbat I do not consider " Superintendents" and "Provincial Executives "in the Middle Island, to be words that are synonyms for " land " and " land revenue." I do not admit that there is any connection between having tbe former Bnd enjoying th* latter. Certain persons may wed themselves to the belief that there is such a connection: but lam sure tbat the House bas not such a belief, and tbat very few people outside the House will continue to hold it. Superintendents and Provincial Governments will be acceptable in Otago and L C*oterbpry as long as tbey are Buccessthe local government of those ..portions of the Colony. But those officers will not long be able to shelter themselves under tbe cry, "If you do ■'lfiJt protect ue, you will lose your land '%'verioe" Tht-y tray try to do so, and they may be successful for a time; but '•the people of thoae parts of the Colouy have quite sufficient penetration to be able to separate the form and substance -from the shadow — the machinery from thp effect. They will be quite able to discern for themselves whether an improved, system of government is 'desirable; and when they think it is desirable aod procurable, they will be .by no-means averse to the change, from any fear of losing wbat they possess. But the course tbe Government are propoeing tp pursue will give to the Middle island the very strongest possible security > .-for? the. possession of their land and , Jand revenue. What do we propose? If "ny^on members have.au idea tbat "we intend to introduce some new style of Government which will eradually be built up into something like the Proform,, tbey altogether misunderstand

our intentions. What we propose is to fl substitute, for the Provincial form a defl,^Ff^n^ D ' iana g emen tof such ordinary aa caa be quite well managed by !itbe General Government j and, on the 4 Mother* brand, to very much enlarge, and make substantial, the local form of

Government which exists throughout 5 most of, the British Colonies, by which tbe residents in districts have * a large sbare of personal control placed in tbeir hands. We propose tbat such districts shall have revenues upon which tbey can depend, and shall not have to be

_ constantly looking and asking for P&tertdsynary aid; that tbe rates tbey raise shall go to Assist in constructing the smaller works of the '-^cuDtry; and that tb*y eball be ready Tj&j fpndjasaißtßnce, by meaos of reprek se'nfe^ns^to the larger districts, which have'to' cary oot larger works. We froppse that the land revenue, which a"r,Tnoßt singularly, hitherto been look o.s*?Pf D "'■ 8 available for all kio.ls of purposes, shall be essentially localised, and shall be placed under local control. We propose tbat a sbare of tbe lan i fond shall pass in aid of the local works carried Jon by a smaller divisions or sob-districts, that a part shall go to the larger districts, formed of groups of sob-districts, which are capable of carrying on larger works, such as branch railways. We by no means ignore the fact tbat the Colony has work in its charge, which will be for the benefit of the districts generally, and thai a part of the land revenue should go for Colonial purposes. We are, quite willing tbat the land revenue or the Middle Island shall remain intact and' untouched: but, on tbe other hand, we recognise the necessity of creating a landed estate* for the North Island, * We have recognised, and do recognise that; and I am quite sure that until such time as tbis island becomes quite settled and colonised, the Colony will gladly lend its aid to acquire as much land for tbe Nonh Island as can be • acquired with advantage.

THB OBJECT OF THB GOVERNMENT ' 7 PROPOSALS. y/yh?*? l^ at wllat w e propose bas for its tbe openiog such a future to tbis island as should be warmly .rweJcomed by ail who have tbe interest

of tbe colony at heart. When J see

tbe vast disparity there is between Otago ; a_d Canterbury on one hand,

and Auckland on the other— what advantages the people enjoy in the Sooth which those in the North have not — I am irresistibly forced to the conclusion that it is not fair tbat colonists of New Zealand should be so differently circumstanced. I hold tbat there is no reason why the people of this island should not look for pros* perity such as is enjoyed in the other island; and that it can be secured without injury to the South. I believe that the public men of the colony have before them tbe plain duty of helping to colonise and make prosperous this North Island; and it is because I believe that such a result is opened to us by the policy we propose, that, admitting all tbe disadvantages as to tbe circumstances in which our proposal is made, I feel that the Government and tbe Houbo are pursuing the right course in giving effect to that policy. Ido not care to hold office a single boor beyond the time when I can think that 1 am, to the best of my ability, working for tbe good of the colony. Public life can bave no charm for any right-minded man, unless be feels that he is performing bis doty; and it is this feeling, and the love of doing good, tbat alone can animate public men, and enable them to get through the weary hard work tbat falls to their sbare. I have not disguised.

in past years, ray opinion that it was very desirable there should be iu this House well-defined parties ; and I am gratified by the knowledge that these proposals of tbe Government have been the meanß of cementing together a very strong party. I believe that tbat party is actuated by principles so distinct, and will be held together by such ties, tbat we may look forward to the parliamentary experience of th6 next few years as likely to be of an eminently satisfactory type —tbat we shall have an Opposition^ and shall bave a strong Government — that we shall know clearly wbo are on one side, and who on the other; and tbat, I think, is a state of parties most likely to conduce to beneficial Parliamentary Government.