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New Zealand Mail, Issue 318, 16 March 1878, Page 12

Mr. Macandreav is reported to have said, at a banquet recently given in Dunedin in honor of the Ministry, that he Avas not Avithout hope that public opinion might compel Parliament to restore to the people pro vincialinstitutions, but in aform more adapted to the circumstances of the colony. We are at a loss to understand the logic of the above remark, though we have little doubt as to ivhat Mr. Macanl dreav desires. Public opinion compell-

ing Parliament to legislate in a certain direction appears to us an anomaly. Most people - have lived under the fond delusion that a Parliamentlike ours, based upon such a wide franchise as a household qualification, was fairly representative of public opinion, and that its members were elected solely with the object of carrying out the views of the constituencies. Mr. Macandreav appears to be of a different opinion. Parliament, in his eyes, is something distinct from the people, and is mainly to be influenced by the Press and public meetings. Provincialism is such a large question that it can only be decided at the polling-booth. At a general election the voice of the people has already pronounced against provincialism, and it is only by the same means that it can be revived in New Zealand. We had hopes that Mr. Macandrew had bowed to fate, and would endeavor to adapt himself to the new order of things. As a Minister of the Crown it is his duty to administer the laws as he finds them, and as the Ministry is presumably the representative of the majority in Parliament. it is certainly bad taste on Mr. Macandreav’s part to bring outside pressure to bear upon members of the Assembly. The Government have promised a new Representation Bill, which Avill give every man in the country an equal voice in the election of those Avho are to be entrusted Avith the legislation of the colony. It has also been authoritatively stated that immediately after the passage of the proposed Bill a general election Avill take place. That will be the proper time for an expression of public opinion. But the truth is, Mr. Macandreav has no idea that there is any such a thing as public opinion outside the province of Otago. However, if the Press truly reflects the views of the people of Otago, that province is not in favor of provincialism. The Dunedin Star, a journal with the largest circulation in the colony, had always been a consistent advocate for abolition, and now that it has been carried into effect, the Star shows no signs of a desire to revert to provincialism. Many of the up-country papers in Otago have freely expressed their opinions that the county system has been a success, and contrast it favorably with provincialism. A few staunch provincialists are now and again loud in their laments over a fallen cause ; but their bewailing is really the only visible sign of an opinion on the subject. The great body of the people are content Avith the existing system of government, and are impressed with the belief that the Counties Act embodies a comprehensive system of local go\Ternment. All o\ T er the country there is ample evidence of this, despite the efforts of a feAv agitators to render the people dissatisfied with existing institutions. The Premier, a few days ago, told the people of Dunedin that the liberties of the people of New Zealand Avere swept away by the Abolition Act. It is incomprehensible that sensible men should listen to such nonsense; but taken in conjunction with what Mr. Macandrew said afterwards about reverting to provincialism, it appears to be very dangerous nonsense. A large majority in Parliament decided against provincialism; and Avhilst that Parliament.is still in existence, the Premier accuses it of trampling on the liberties of the people, and another Minister calls upon the public to compel Parliament to restore to the people their lost rights. Members of the Government should Aveigh Avell what they say when addressing public meetings. The Ministerial policy is generally shadowed forth in such utterances. Are we to understand that one of the principles of the Government policy is the revival of qn-ovincialism ? If such is the case, it will alter the position of parties in the House considerably. The provincial element in the Ministry has been strengthened by the acquisition of Mr. Robert Stout, a provincialist of the most pronounced type. Some respect for the feelings of a colleague should have prevented Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandreav from speaking as they did at Dunedin. Mr. Baleance, both in the House of Representatives and the Press, has ably supported abolition. He Avill hardly agree Avith his colleagues that his action tended to rob colonists of their liberties. We have not always agreed with Mr. Bailance ; but we have every faith that he Avill remain consistent on the question of provincialism. It must be borne in mind, hoAvever, that he is only an unit in a Ministry the majority of Avhose members were bitterly opposed to abolition, and who have not to this day shoAvn a disposition to abide by the altered order of things. Some time ago we expressed an opinion that Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandreav had not abandoned the two cardinal principles of their creed—provincialism and separation. Their recent action strengthens that opinion, and induces us to believe that they Avill endeavor, by fair means or foul, to bring about provincialism and the disruption the colony. In reference to this, t must be borne in mind that Mr.

Macandreav’s great hobby has always been two great provinces in New Zealand —one for the North Island and another for the South Island ; and also that Sir George Grey actually moved a a series of resolutions in the House with the above object. However, a “tyran-. nical ” majority in Parliament declared in favor of the unity of the colony, and Sir George Grey and Mr. Macandrew had to bide their time. They evidently believe that their time has come, and Ave anxiously await the further develcqiment of the Ministerial policy.