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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5341, 10 May 1878, Page 2

Great anxiety was shown, and strenuous efforts made, by the more ardent admirers of provincial institutions, to preserve in existence that, to them, beloved system of so-called local government. Notwithstanding that it has passed away, the bitterest lamentations for theglory that is not do yet occasionally reach the public ear. The last wail was from the long pent up bosom of Sir William Fitzherbeet at the Upper Hutt. After giving a graphic description of the incomparable virtues of provincialism, Sir William asks the question, “ What have they given us in “in exchange ? I know,” he said, “of “ no illustration more fit than to say — “ for bread they have given you a “stone.” He then very loyally, and we think wisely, accepted the situation. There are, however, some gentlemen holding the highest positions in this country who, while they mourn their loss, mourn not without hope, and look forward to the good time to come. On this question the Hon. James Macandeew, a short time since in Dunedin, expressed himself thus :—“ I confess that I am not “ without hope that there is now a public “opinion being generated throughout “New Zealand which may yet compel ’“ Parliament to restore .to the people “ those rights and privileges of which- “ they have been deprived, and to restore “ those provincial institutions which they “ have taken away.” Others of our colonial politicians not only mourn over the inevitable, but they refuse to be comforted ; nothing, in their opinion, can supply the place of that which has passed away. The County system stinks in their nostrils. We in no wise blame those gentlemen for honestly holding such views, but we do feel disappointed that they have not, in the public interest, pointed out wherein the present system of local self-govern-ment has failed, or wherein the public interest has suffered by the change ; they content themselves by pronouncing the county system a failure, for no other reason, we fear, than that they would fain have it so.

■ We, on the other hand, maintain that the county system is a success—not because we would have it so, but because : Ist. It is found to be far more satisfactory to the great mass of the people in this country than provincialism. This in itself to our minds is of considerable import-, ance, because one of the most important duties of ; a Government wo hold to be, as far as practicable, to satisfy the claims and meet the wants of the people. 2nd. It has decentralised the direction and execution S.of local public works throughout the colony, and placed the same more fully in the hands of those persons whose local knowledge of the requirements of the district is the greatest, and whose personal interest it ,is to see the works conducted in the niost Economical and efficient mode. 3rd. Because in virtue of this increased local direction and supervision, there have been greatly increased facilities secured for the. settlement of our people on the land in various parts of the colony, as well as increased accommodation to ‘those who : may have already settled. Wo have ourselves a -personal knowledge of , outlying districts where the amounts expended in necessary public works during the first year of the County administration were far in excess of the entire expenditure on such: works during the previous ten years of Provincial rule. These achievements of the County system, together with the fact that few complaints of its operation: have been raised- by the people, are to our mind the strongest possible proofs, that County government is a substantial' success. Wo do not mean to state that the Counties Act is perfect,’ or incapable of being improved; but wo maintain that, considering the great phange effected: by it in our system of local administration, it has satisfied the most sanguine' expectations of-its promoters. The pro-' posal made in the letter which we published from the County Chairman of Westland, suggesting the advisability of a conference of the county chairmen of the colony, with, the laudable object of' rendering assistace to the Government in connection with any amending measure they may think fit to prepare and introduce in the next session, is a good one. It will bring together a large amount of special practical knowledge of the. County system, its needs and defects, of which: the Government may greatly profit, and which could be conveniently obtained in no other way. ...