New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4272, 28 November 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

When a great newspaper, like the Otago Daily limes, discusses a large public question, such as the Ministerial proposal for amending the Constitution, by abolishing Provincial Government in the North Island, it should pay some little regard to facts. Nothing is gained in the long run by wilful misrepresentation, such as has of late been adopted by the leading Dunedin newspapers, for example, in the matter of the land fund and the Compact of 1856. It may servo a temporary purpose, no doubt; but in the end the public learn the truth. Better far to state the case honestly at first, instead of creating prejudice and hostild feelings by misrepresentation of facts, and the imputation of unworthy motives. Nor does a flippant and flighty stylo make things bettor. On the contrary, it aggravates the evil. Wo are led to make those remarks after perusing a leading article in the Daily Times of tho 19th instant; —an article which, for tho credit of that newspaper, wo regret to find in it. Tho writer makes an anonymous letter to tho editor on colonial finance and politics, tho foundation for one of tho most unjustifiable attacks upon the North Island communities that wo have soon for a considerable time past. Surely, it cannot

be supposed for a moment that the following is anything like a truthful recital of sessional events since 1870, when the Assembly adopted the policy of public works and immigration, subsequently ratified by the country at the general election. We quote from the Daily Times :

It did not require any great prescience to be able to foretell that the ultimate effect of the colonial loan would bo the centralisation of the Colonial Government. Although we cannot too earnestly deprecate tho method employed In introducing the Abolition llcsolutions, it cannot be denied that the log-rolling among provinces for the last few years was the most pressing cause of this last new move. That log-rolling, which has for 1 two or three sessions disgraced our Legislature, was caused by the prospect of some millions to be scrambled for, so that we come back sooner or later to tho fact that the day the Assembly sanctioned the loan they signed the death warrant of the provinces. AVo cannot wonder that Mr. Vogel shrunk from that horrid spectacle, which must have sat ou him like a nightmare for tho last two or three years, and cursed tho hour when the aniseed was unwarily smeared over his feet, so that the sleuth hounds could not fail but track him to his lair. Putting upon one side those provinces which one and all sought to pledge their land, their railways, their very breeches and wedding rings, it was as much as two strong Premiers could manage to withstand the continual assaults of the savage Wellington pack, headed by that hungry tyke Fitzherbert. Looking back into the past and trying to understand how matters have eventuated we , cannot read Hansard without seeing that the present centralising movement was rendered certain by the creation of a large colonial debt. That this most certain consequence has been precipitated by tho want of all forbearance, reticence, and even decency on the part of those Northern provinces, which have gone at the loan like chickens at a lump of pork; like hounds at a dead horse, on tile avowed principle, “Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." Show tho Superintendent of Wellington a lump sum of money, and, as the saying is, “he would loop at it like a cock at a grozet." The last three sessions have seen Mr. Vogel with his back to the wall warding off the impecunious ones that pressed him sorely, throwing them a wellcovered rib now and again from the colonial side to scramble for, and getting peace for a time ; then sus taining a fiercer worrying, until, worn out at last, in a peevish moment, caused by the discussion on the Forest Bill, he vowed to rid himself of the whole crowd and manage tho dogs himself —to hunt and not be hunted.

Our contemporary appears to labor under the delusion that provincial logrolling was unknown until the General Assembly sanctioned the borrowing of money to give effect to the Immigration and Public Works Act. But it was in full swing many years before. In fact, in the very first session of the Colonial Parliament, and during each succeeding session, provincial log-rolling was the all-absorbing task of the representatives of tho people. The only difference now is, that there is a colonial public to observe the not very creditable goings-on of the provincial sections, whereas in those early days the Assembly did pretty much as it liked without outside protest or observation of any kind. What, let us ask the Daily Times, was tho Compact of 1856, but the result of provincial logrolling 2 Whatever may have been tbo motives of those who contrived that notable scheme, by which the public lauds liave been parcelled out amongst a few lucky individuals to the exclusion of settlement, its general effect upon the colony has been more disastrous than most people imagine. That log has been kept rolling ever since ; and judging from what we read and know of the state of public feeling, North and South, it is not likely to remain stationary for a long time yet. But while we deprecate tho practice of log-rolling by provincial sections in the General Assembly as much as our contemporary can possibly do, we really do not see how it is to be avoided unless the provincial system be altogether abolished. Otherwise, in the very nature of things, representatives will lobby and bargain “forthe good of their own dis- “ trict in other words, will make arrangements whereby public money may be spent in the localities which they represent, quite irrespective of public requirements. Yet, with full knowledge of that fact, the Daily Times still clings with affection to the foul skirts of provincialism, and would postpone legislation in the direction of abolition until after the general election in 1876-6. This is what our contemporary says on that point in the remarkable article from which we have already quoted :

Arc the North Island provinces to be abolished next session ? Our answer is a very plain one. We at present think not, for the following reasons: —First, the proposal was a piecemeal one. Half New Zealand governed in one way, half in another, would make ua ridiculous in tho eyes of all who take an interest in our affairs. Again, it is but right that the people at large should have the opportunity, by means of a general election, of signifying their desires. Again, no sufficient care has been taken to secure the proper machinery—“rank of tho soil”—for administering funds locally, with economy. We frankly acknowledge that the tide of affairs has brought us to tho point when wo must reconsider our whole position. Responsible government in the provinces will become ere long a mere burlesque in tho South, as it has long since become so in tho North. The general principle of localising the land revenue through the colony, while it wants tho savor of novelty to commend it to aspiring inventors, must come to be put in practice. If Mr. Vogel’s Government will spend the recess in plodding through the arduous task of organising the now machinery, will produce a welldigested scheme next session, submit it to tho House for general discussion, will then withdraw it and go to the country upon the promise to introduce it and stake their existence" upon it ; if they will give to the proposal that dignity and prescience which it has hitherto so lamentably lacked, we believe that New Zealand will thank them.

We differ from the writer in tlio Daily Times for several reasons. The whole question has been discussed in all its bearings since Sir George Grey joined the ranks of the Provincial Conservatives, and public opinion is now matured upon it. Doubtless that opinion goes farther than the Government proposals. It will accept no half measure. The provincial system, and with it provincial log-rolling and abuse must disappear together;—and it must disappear as soon as possible. There is nothing whatever to bo gained by delay. On the contrary, there is much every way to bo lost. If the settlement of the country is to be the prime object of the Government, then the sooner we adopt a uniform system of land administration the better. But while the provincial system remains intact, this result cannot be attained. The writer in the Daily Times apparently perceives the necessity for a less costly and more efficient system of Government, which will settle people upon the lands of the colony, but he is unable to suggest a method whereby this may bo accomplished. In fact, there is a remarkable confusion of ideas in the following paragraph, which winds up his article : What wo really need just now is a practical discussion of tho best moans of getting the public money applied with tho least friction ami consequent waste to the improvement of tho country. 'Tia a lino field for original talent ; a noble arena for the political gyrations of a ■ theorizing member. We want to settle down families upon tho Wahabi, tho Mataura, tho Molynoux. This lies behind tho whole question. We do not for ono moment bclievo that next year will see the abolition of tho North Island provinces carried out. Because Jack does not get his apple, tho eternal order of things must not bo rashly disturbed. Our contemporary might do good service to the colony, and notably to Otago, by strengthening the hands of those who desiro to sweep away tho worn-out and worthless provincial machinery ; but articles like tho ono wo have largely quoted from are calculated to obscure tho question before tho country, by presenting it in a wrong light. In conclusion, wo must again express our regret that so influential and respectable a journal as tho Otago Daily Times, should make such sweeping charges against the North Island provinces and their public men. Tho truth is overlaid by a heap of exaggeration and abuse for which thoro is no possible excuse. We differ from Mr. Fitziierbert on many points ; but so long as ho remains Superintendent of Wellington, no ono can blamo him for pursuing tho solf-samo policy of provincial aggrandisement which lias been so steadily and successfully practised by Superintendent Macanbbew,

of Otago. Ivor do wo blame Mr. Maoasdeew. These gentlemen simply carry out, to the best of their ability, the political system which they have been elected to administer. We trust, therefore, that in future our contemporary will be juster in his censure of our public men than he has been of late.