New Zealand Times. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4423, 24 May 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. MONDAY, MAY 24, 1875.

Our Auckland letter professes to give an outline sketch of Sir George Grey’s programme of action in the General Assembly. It will be apparent, however, that if it be correct, there is little chance of any considerable number of members taking up his cause. For example, what possible interest will any one have in the complaint that Sir Jambs Fjerousson declined to forward Sir George Grey’s letter to the Queen 1 That is a personal matter entirely, notwithstanding tho constitutional right of petition or memorial which Sir George will assert, but which he so conspicuously disregarded himself when Governor of New Zealand. “Cir- “ cumstances alter cases,” wo may be told ; but in this case, the House would do well not to express any opinion on the subject. Sir James Fergusson is now at Home, having ceased to have official connection with the colony; and as he is presumed to have acted under advice, it would be ungracious to revive the matter. Tho constitution of the Legislative Council may be open to question ; but it is not for an independent member to precipitate a conflict between the two Houses, which may end in a dead-look. Mr. Yooel, in 1873, invited the members of the House of Representatives'to make the constitution of the Legislative Council a question with their constituents during tho recess, and promised a measure to give effect to his ideas of reform in that direction ; but tho session of 1874 brought no such Bill, tho Premier having learned, from tho tone of the country during the recess, that “ the obstructive-

“ ness of tlie Legislative Council,” in the matter of provincial borrowing, was sustained by public opinion. But that which Mr. Vogel wisely refrained from doing Sir George Grey unwisely determines to try, What advantage does he hope to gain by an attack upon the constitution of the Legislative Council ? If he thinks he can evoke popular fervor against nomineeism, he entirely mistakes the tone of public feeling in this colony. If he was not above learning from Victoria, he would r perceive that Mr. Francis actually fell, although a strong Minister, through the apathy of the Victorian Democracy on this very question, but then, we should not forget, that the Legislative Council of Victoria - is an elective chamber. Still, it represents property and vested interests in a greater degree than the Legislative Council of New Zealand, and the cause of complaint was almost the same there as here. The refoi’rn of the second Chamber must be accomplished in one of two ways : it must either proceed from within that bodyitself, or it must be the result of an overwhelming expression of public opinion led by a strong Government.; Now, neither of these conditions exists at, the present time'; and although we hold that the Legislative Council, as a chamber of revision, might be improved upon, we think Sir George Grey will waste his strength, and the time of the Legislature, if he attempts to carry out this part of his pro- ■ gramme. ; With respect to triennial Parliaments, the question is one of convenience and not of principle; . Were the provincial legislatures abolished there would be less room to object to a general election every third year ; but what between elections for Superintendents, and provincial and municipal councils, and harbor and education boards, once every five years is sufficient for the turmoil of a general, election for the House of Representatives. Sir George Grey is going in,for total abolition of the provinces,' should his fiscal policy be rejected.; in which case he may find himself voting with the Government which he means to oppose. Should, however, triennial Parliaments, which are Mr. Reader Wood’s panacea for all political misdoing, be adopted, it would be well to consider whether electiofi expenses should not’be reduced. At present, the largest expenditure usually carries an election; but we fail to see why the cost should in any case fall upon the candidates. With the exception of gentlemen residing at the Seat of Government, every member who attends the Assembly does so at considerable inconvenience, and very often also at no slight pecuniary sacrifice. Touching the fiscal policy which our correspondent, indicates, our comment will be brief. It is impossible to revert to the old fiscal system, owing to the engagements of the. colony, and the debts of the provinces. ' But quite apart from that insuperable difficulty, it was a vicious system, and led to extravagance and wasteful expenditure. So long as faxes were raised by one legislature to be appropriated by another, there was a: direct incentive to abuse. Anything like an effectual system of control could not be applied; and the natural result followed. Fortunately for New Zealand this vicious system of finance has been abandoned, and we are rapidly approaching a period when .the taxing body and the taxed will be brought into direct contact. . When that period arrives, we shall'doubtless be called upon to; chronicle many reforms which may not be so much as mentioned among us now, but which, despite the weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of . teeth of interested individuals, a relentless public will insist upon having carried out.