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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 4

Ik another column we publish a letter from “ A Citizen,” which we commend to the attention of those who take an interest in the welfare and progress of Wellington. We do not commit ourselves to all the opinions contained in that letter, although we go a very long way with our correspondent. For example, we should be inclined to give the Municipal Council of Wellington charge of the harbor ; but in that case, we should expect the constitution of the Council to be changed, and its members increased. A Corporation, combining the powers of a harbor and water trust with the ordinary functions of a municipal council, having such large interests in charge, we should expect to be constituted of the best men the citizens could select, representing not merely the rate-payers,-but trade and commerce as well. For instance, the payment of wharf and landing dues to a certain amount yearly should entitle any person to vote, irrespective of paying borough rates. , This would modify the constituency, and give the mercantile classes a direct voice, as such, in the management of the port and harbor. At present, they are simply powerless ; —mere cypher's, to which the Oity Council, (as owners of the wharf,) and the Provincial Government, (as owners of the harbor, seeing that they propose to sell it piecemeal,) are factors giving value. This, however, should not be the case ; and with all respect for the governing bodies aforesaid, we do not think they represent the progressive mercantile spirit of the city. Wherefore, we maintain that an effort should be made to concentrate the powers presently exercised by the Provincial Government and City Council over the port and harbor, in a new and enlarged Municipal Council, chosen by a constituency on a much wider basis than now.

With respect to the sale of the foreshore, we think the inhabitants of Wellington are very greatly to be blamed if they consent to it. The foreshore was never conveyed in trust to the Superintendent of the province for any other purpose than to conserve it for public uses; but it is proposed to deal with it as the absolute property of “the province,” as distinct from the city. How can the Provincial Government separate the city of Wellington from the province of Wellington in this matter ? Yet this contemplated sale is only justifiable, if it can be at all justified, on the assumption that the citizens of Wellington are an alien community who have neither part nor lot in the reserves, revenues, or institutions of the province of Wellington. If the city of Wellington be an integral part of the province, how can the Provincial Government deal with, it as if it possessed no interest in the foreshore of the harbor ! The city pays the bulk of the provincial revenue, land sales excepted, and it receives nothing in return. The business enterprise and invested. capital of the citizens have given value to the tide lands of Port Nicholson, yet they are to have no participation in “the unearned “ increment,” which is to go to people who have done nothing, or next to nothing to create it. Surely there has never been so unjust a, proposal, or one likely to be so fatal in. its consequences to the welfare and prosperity of the city, as we have frequently pointed out. The remedy appears to us to lie: with the citizens. Tf they are true.to themselves, they may yet conserve the patrimony of the city ; :if they permit affairs to drift, they will sanction what will surely come to pass, namely, an act of robbery legalised by Act of Parliament; —a by, rib means exceptional occurrence in the history of New Zealand legislation. But we object to multiplying governing bodies. There is no need for a Harbor Board as distinct ■ from the City Council, as our correspondent contemplates. Neither is there any reason why Wellington should be made a federal city, if the provinces are to be abolished. We want unity, not federation. Our educational, charitable, and punitive institutions languish for want of concentration and uniformity of administration. But this question is hardly pertinent to the local issues raised in our correspondent’s letter. These are of such importance, however, that wo felt it incumbent upon us to give them the largest measure of publicity wo could by calling attention to them in this way.