South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2773, 11 February 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1882.

The local Government question is not yet settled, and probably never will be. It is to be hoped it never will, for the date of its complete settlement would be an epoch from which to reckon a period of social and political stagnation. While a people progress, institutions, through which their needs are supplied must continue to develop, and when this development ceases it is time for the cards to be shuffled and a mew deal made. We are inclined to think that the colonists of New Zealand are not quite fitted to exercise the powers of local government they yaguely sigh for. They lack too much alljthe power of organization, the managing spirit. This spirit appears to have been called into lusty life in the United States, where, it is said, if two men meet to consider any matter they first of all elect a chairman, a secretary, and an executive committee from among themselves and proceed to pass by-laws, resolutions and amendments with due formality and collect subscriptions to defray preliminary expenses. Of course this is merely an exaggeration, but it is a straw that shows how the stream flows. We cry out to Parliament for more local government, but if we were really prepared for it, we should simply make it for ourselves as it was required. Parliament cannot greatly extend our local governing powers, since , any forms they give must be applicable to the whole colony, and such needed forms as are so applicable have been pretty nearly all supplied. What is wanted above anything else is a willingness to be self-helpful. Our people sit down at home or meet in the street and grumble at this, that, or the other “ want ” being unsatisfied, and content with thus expressing their feelings, take no practical steps to obtain what is wanted. There are various local bodies in existence, but their powers and functions are rigidly defined ; they were created for certain purposes,and it is beyond their province,as such bodies, to pay any attention to other matters. Other matters very frequently do require attention, and generally do not get it because those who are interested will not move. Occasionally a public need presses so heavily that something must be done, and then a petition is drawn up and carried round for signature, or a public meeting is called and a few resolutions are passed, to be transmitted to 4he proper quarter, and nine times out of ten there the business ends. We behave better in respect to private, or semi-private, social and commercial projects. When a'social requirement is felt to be urgent, or a commercial speculation is seen to be promising, there is no complaint of lack of power to act. What is neither more nor less than a local governing body—generally called a Committee—is chosen without any fuss or red tape, and invested with power to act in the name and on behalf of the section of the community who are interested. And such committees in most cases act with an energy and directness of aim that compares most favorably with the manner in which the legally constituted local bodies transact their business, and which in the majority of cases secures the achievement of the ends desired. It may be safely supposed that if a similar spirit were shown in dealing with matters of public concern similar successes would attend its manifestations. Of course committees, or whatever they may be callecj, created without reference to any law can have no power under any law, but they can “ bring pressure to bear ” upon those who have the power, and obtain their ends indirectly with as much certainty almost as if the power were in their own hands. Take, for instance, the case of the Albury railway extension, the need of which has been felt over a large district. What has been done by the inhabitants of that district to get that want supplied ? As far as we can remember almost or quite nothing. The Timaru Chamber of Commerce have at different times urged upon the Government that the line should be proceeded with, and it is due to the Mayor of Timaru, we believe, that any progress has been made with it at all. Every year-as harvest comes round there is a rumble of complaints about their neglected interests, but what better treatment was really deserved ? Providence helps those who help themselves, and so do paternal Governments, who dislike being pestered with the continued pressing of legitimate claims. The instance alluded to is one in which self-helpfulness on the-- part of those directly interested must have had a good effect, and it is only one instance out of several that might be mentioned in support of our assertion that we are not yet fitted to be entrusted with full powers of local government in public matters. We are not yet sufficiently embued with the spirit that, when,it is clearly right that it should be done, adds determinedly “ we will obtain ” to “ we need.”