GOOD SOUND REASONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4512, 6 September 1875, Page 2

GOOD SOUND REASONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF TBE NEW ZEAIAND TIMES. Sir, —Mr. McGlashan, in his speech last Friday on the Abolition Bill, gave one of the numerous reasons for supporting the measure. "He maintained that Provincial Councils did nothing but foster jealousies and heartburnings, and if for nothing but this, he would abolish them from the face of the earth." No truer sentiment has been uttered of the true relationship the Provincial Governments stand in with regard to the social interests of the people. No stronger argument can be adduced than that stated by Mr. McGlashan, to get rid of the "jealousies and heartburnings " and the patronising lßfluence that the provincial petty governments have assumed of late—an influence so petty and narrow-minded in itself that, if the system is continued the minds of the people will become so cramped that they will be totally unfit to grasp the great questions so materia.lly affecting their interest. It is an insult to common sense to say that Provincial Governments represent the interests of the people. They do as Mr. McGlashan says, "foster jealousies," and what is worse, they encourage Nepotism, and create oligarchies, and destroy that national feeling that ought to exist in an important rising colony like this. Provincial Governments are therefore, in a social point, inimical to the interests of the people generally; but look at them in the political aspect? What is really wanted is a pHblic tone given through the people to their representatives; and nothing will have a tendency to check the actions of the Government and destroy the monopolising influences that have hitherto existed, more than the destruction of the Heptarchic form of government as our forefathers did and the establishing a strong central Constitutional Government,with true local self-government all over the country. And as to the argument that the matter should stand over for a new Parliament, will any one say that the minds of the colonists are not prepared for the change ? If they do, they state that which is not correct, for the great bulk of the colonist 3 not only are prepared for the change, but they earnestly desire it, and expect that their representatives will give their hearty assistance iu carrying the measure ; and who better qualified than the experienced veterans now in the House ? It is an insult to the present Parliament to ask them to postpone the consideration of measures introduced by themselves, and which forms a part of the progressive policy which they are carrying out.—l am, &c, Junius.