PROVINCIALISM AND LOCAL BOARDS.

Patea Mail, 2 August 1882, Page 3

PROVINCIALISM AND LOCAL BOARDS.

The Hawkes Bay Mercury says: Ever since 1876 the 1 colony has been groping in the dark endeavoring to discover some method of repairing the mischief that was done when the constitution was torn into shreds. Up to the present time, however, no system of local government has been found to efficiently replace that which was abolished. Year by year the real administration of local affairs has been more and more centred at Wellington, till at length the very term of local government has become a misnomer. Under the specious plea pf.affording the people a larger share in the control of their local affairs, the provinces, with all their powers, were swept away, and the country was split up into small districts called counties. To these latter bodies some of the minor functions , of the Provincial Government were given, and to newly created institutions were others granted. But all real power was carried to Wellington. Thus there were established a powerless Harbor Board, a powerless Waste . Lands Board, an unnecessary Education Board, a penniless Hospital Board, and inpecunious County Councils, while semi-idle Road Boards took the place of vigorous local bodies. Clashing with one another, and all clashing with the

central authority, the administration of the colony as regards immigration, the settlement of the people on the land, the opening up of the country, the efficient and economical management of public works, has either been unprovided for, neglected, or bungled, while the cost of government has been increased.