ABOLITION OF THE NORTHERN PROVINCES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 201, 2 September 1874, Page 2

ABOLITION OF THE NORTHERN PROVINCES.

(From the Auckland Evening Star.) The Premier arose, amid applause, and introduced the following resolutions: — “ 1. That considering the altered circumstances of the colony it is desirable that the provinces in the North Island should be abolished. 2. That Wellington should be made the seat of Government. 3. That the laud revenue -should be made local revenue, according to what was known as the compact of 1856 ; and that the Government shall, during the recess, consider how best to give effect to these resolutions.” It had been some time apparent to him that the Government was compelled to finance not only for itself but for many of the provinces. On considering the subject he arrived at the conclusion that there must be one province or no province at all for the North Island. Years ago he was a very warm supporter of separation, but circumstances had long since made that impossible. He was in favor of consolidation, but believed still in large provinces. To enable the North Island to be properly settled, and its works to be carried out upon a large and comprehensive plan, the General Government would be obliged to undertake a large share of the work. It would be impossible to carry out these works amongst the jealousies of local legislatures, It was made clear that it was better for the Government to be its own financier than financier-general for so many Governments. The hon. member for Parnell, who had given the subject great.consideration, had proposed to bring down the resolutions, but the question was so large that it was better to make it a Ministerial one. During the three years ending June 30, 1874, there were spent in this island, out of colonial funds £2.387,000, while the whole provincial revenue, including the land fund, was only £447,000. He would ask them to look at the map of the North Island and see the amount of roads and works maintained. -Year after year they had to come down with devices for enabling them to. carry out their functions —constantly making their roads and bearing other charges out of the consolidated revenue. Was there never to be an end to this ? The hon. gentleman detailed at length the amount of the various provincial services'Mnd the amount to which the Govefffrifent assisted. The capitation allowance wrought evil. Shortly, the total cost of the North Island services last year was £58,000, while the capitation paid the colony was £BB,OOO. The appropriations for the present year were £89,000, whilst, we are. proposing to give a capitation allowance of £93,000. It seemed to him that the divisions of revenue should be as follow: —Local revenue, goldfields revenue, land revenue, and the revenue by the colony. Land should be appropriated to pay interest upon debt, and for executing public works, such as harbors. Other revenue should be employed for local purposes. It was not intended to impound the revenue of any province. There was nothing ulterior, sinister, or concealed. The Government merely considered it advisable to assume the control of those functions which should be properly performed. He meant by local Government that when they altered the present system thny would introduce a system of local control placed in the hands of the people. The Timaru system might be advantageously introduced, and the naturally-defined districts of the North Island seemed fit for it. That it was also desirable there should be only one land law instead of four. It was time one comprehensive land law should be brought down. With respect to dealing wi h the existing Superintendents he thought, with regard to one at least, his life-long services should entitle him to a provision for life. He did not think that any compensation was called for to Executives. Other Superintendents should be paid to the end of their term of office.

With regard to the compact of 1856, any departure from that would be dishonest, and any arrangements to be made regarding the North Island must be in accordance with that compact. Owing to the feverish dread of Otago and Canterbury that their lands would some day be attached, they were realising them as fast as possible. They thought that in Otago and Canterbury they did the work of the Government well; and the people were satisfied with the way their local affairs were administered. They could see no menace in these proposals. Why should not Auckland children be educated as well as those ? The North spent 8s lOd per head on educating their children, while the South spent 16s 6d. Either the one was extravagant or the other wretchedly off. The Government and other services of the one cost 10s Id per head of the other 19s 6d. To the objection, that the work would be too much for the Government, he thought they could get on very well with a Resident Minister at Auckland, and a Government Agent in Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Without being more extravagant he thought this would be more efficient than the old plan. He unstood that the Gaols and the Lunatic Asylums of the North Island were a disgrace to the colony, while education was sadly behind. On such a great question as this the Government weuld not be satisfied solely with an expression of opinion of the House. (Hear, hear). He denied that he had changed his opinion, or that anything of a personal or ambitious nature had induced him to take this step. It was solely upon public grounds that the Government voluntarily undertook so large and difficult a struggle—one which might lead to the severance of political alliances which had lasted for years ; but the settlement of the question, he felt, must be for the good of the country, and he faced it boldly and at once.