Election Notices. other member "of" thc'Executive might act in that capacity. Practically such a provision would tend, to reduce the office of Superintendent to a cypher. Impressed with the conviction that, in agreeing fco this bill, tho Council was in some extent governed by feeluig, I withheld from it the assent of the Governor. In the succeeding session, tho Council, entertaining similar opinions, declined to co-operate with me in conducting the business of the Province, otherwise than on the basis of the bill referred to. Tliis may be verified on referring to the ' Southland Gazette of 9th August. In its sixth session, on the 22nd February, the Council resolved that all power which it could legally confer, by the Provmcial Qovermnent Ordinance, should be administered, and all moneys it voted, expended by the Superintendent only with the sanction of an Executive responsible to the Council. Li the substance of this resolution I fully concurred, and on those terms have all along been willing to co-operate, in good faith, with an Executive possessing the. confidence of the Council. My views on this position of administrative relations . under the present laws are these : — ln all matters within the control of the Provincial Council, the Superintendent should act only with the advice and consent of the Executive. In case of a difference of opinion on those, if neither party gave way or. resigned, the Council should be assembled. In the exercise of such powers as are beyond the control of the Proraicial ' Council, the Superintendent should consult with the Executive and conform with their advice, unless there were very important reasons — which should be recorded — for deviating from it. Clearly, the Executive could not be held responsible to the Council for acts of the Superintendent in matters, in respect of wliich, the Council could nofc convey tb the Executive any administering power. But, at the same time, it is obvious that if the Provincial Council should adhere to its desire to attain the control in matters in which it does not at present possess ifc, and upon a second occasion, a°ree to pass a bill to that effect, it would be most injudicious, and even unconstitutional, for a Superintendent again to witlihold such a bill from the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, even although he did not agree with the views ifc embodied, In Provincial legislation, the Superintendent has a concurrent power with the Provincial Council. Yet occasions can but rarely occur in which he woidd ba justified in exercise of this power, in withstanding the views of the Council by withholding Bills passed by ifc. It haa been contended that the administration of aProvincial Government would be better conducted if the Superintendendent occupied a scat in the Provincial Council. I differ altogether -.vith this opinion. If the Government was to be conducted as a responsible one, then it must be conducted by party, the Superintendent will necessarily be the leader of the majority, and when by turns one party in the Council outvoted the other, the somewhat novel spectacle would be presented of a Superintendent alternately leading ' opposed political parties — one day as leader of the left denouncing the policy wluch as leader of the righ t he may have advocated only the day before. It has always appeared to me that the Superintendent should be above and impartial toparty; and that' any exliibition of partisanship would tend to diminish public confidence in him, and derogate from his position. As this acknowledgement already extends to an undue length .1 will only add that if my opmions are not sufficiently known on other topics of interest, I shall willingly give any further explanation you niay desire, on the day of nomination. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, J. A. R. MENZIES. lOrh October, 1564. 57-tc TO MATTHEW HOLMES, ESQ. SIR, — We, the undersigned Electoi-3 and Inhabitants of the Oteramika District, respectfully request thafc you will become a CANDIDATE for the District at the ensuing Elections for the PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. ROBERT HAMILTON. WILLIAM DAWSON. GEORGE DAWSON. THOS. A. DAWSON. W. D. G. WOOD. HUGH M'INTOSH. JOHN MORTON. WILLIAM KERR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON. ALLAN HALL. JOHN MACGIBBON. ROBERT M'AWLEY. PETER MILNE. September, 1864. 54 to To Messrs. HAMILTON, DAWSON, WOOD, apd the other Gentlemen signing the Requisition. /~i ENTLEMEN,— In answer to the requisition you have honored me with, I shall be happy 'to allow my self to be placed in nomination asa candidate for the representation of the Oteramika District, at the forthcoming Election of Members of the Provmcial Council ; and shall, if elected, spare no exertion to advance the interests of my constituents and of the Province generally. Although no modifications of the' New Zealand constitution can be afc once obtained, I am of opinion that they are required; and, as the subject may, and probably will, be discussed and legislated on, it appears not irrelevant to furnish you with my views in tliis place. The history of the last few years shows that, under the existing system of' Government, the best, interests of the Middle Island are liable to be overridden by the clahns of tlie North. We have been, and still are, contributing largely towards an expenditure from wliich we derive no benefit, and much of the present commercial depression in Southland and the other southern provinces, is -to be traced to this source. I am, therefore, an advocate for the separation of tlie two Islands, and the establishment of a General Government for each. I would abolish the Provincial Governments, but allow each Province to retain and expend its own revenue, merely contributing its quota to the expense of maintaining the General Government. With reference to the questions more parfcicularlv attracting public attention at the present moment, I will give a brief exposition of my opinions, although for the settlement of some of these questions the Provincial Council is. almost powerless. I am altogether opposed to the present system of dealing with the Waste Lands of the Crown, and would in preference adopt, with certain modifications, the regulations in force in Canterbury. Doubtless much of the prosperity of that Province is owing to superior rules for the management of its lands. Whilst the agriculturist can buy land in any part of Canterbury, and obtain a grant without delay, the squatter has tho advantage of holding his run until it is actually purchased, whereas in Southland, on the proclara ation of his run into Hundreds, he ceases to have *ny legal intereit in it, .TO wpft H -tlfjfff ff fI tf WJfck &**■ m
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18641029.2.20.3
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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 65, 29 October 1864, Page 4
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1,092Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 65, 29 October 1864, Page 4
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