MR. WHITAKER'S RESOLUTIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 186, 28 July 1876, Page 4

MR. WHITAKER'S RESOLUTIONS.

{Evening Post.) Were the plan practicable, there is no doubt but tbat the most thorough and complete way of carrying out abolition would bo to adopt Mr Whitaker's resolutions, making the land fund consolidated revenues Government organs contend that when the Ministry proproposed the abolition of the proviuces it was distinctly understood that the lund revenue would still be left to the provincial districts, and tbat any proposal to take it away would leave members free to adopt fcuob. new views respecting abolition as the altered circumstances would seem to justify. The fact, however, is that according to the Government proposals tbe land revenue is only nominally left to tbe localities. It is certainly given lo them by " The Abolition Financial Ar-

rangements Bill,'* but the same measure saddles the land fund with such heavy liabilities that the balanoe left to the localities for expenditure on public works will not be vory large, and ultimately muat dwindle down to nothin?. Mr Whilaker proposes to do at once what tbe Government measures will bring about in the end. Considering the present financial exigencies of the colony, it is clear that making the land fund colonial revenue is only a question of time. We do not, however, think, in the present state of parties, that there is much prospect of Mr Whitaker's resolutions being carried. They will not be considered purely oo their merits, but rather as they affect other questions. The Wellington members at their recent caucus — with the exception of Mr Andrew— decided to oppose them. The decision was a wise one under the circumstances. They naturally dread " Separation," and Mr Whitaker's proposals are the very thiog to oause Otago to fight for separation to the uttermost. Apart from this, those members who desire to see abolition carried out, recognise in Mr Whitaker's resolutions something which is likely to re-open the question and retard its settlement. To avoid this danger, they will oppose the resolutions and thus from a variety of quarters a sufficient number of votes will be obtained to render their defeat probable. Should abolition be carried out there is no doubt but that in the long run the land fund will become colonial revenue. The proposals of the Government saddle this fund with many charges, aud year by year the encroachments made upon it will become greater. What we desire at present is to Bee abolition carried out, and our objection to Mr Whitaker's proposals is tbat they stand in the way of the accomplishment of lhat object. i- . ' '■•» . »""