The Southland Times. MONDAY, APRIL, 2, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 236, 2 April 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, APRIL, 2, 1866.

■ — ___ _ . The aspect of public affairs throughout New Zealand call for , very grave and serious consideration. The position of the Provinces, without exception, have reached a point demanding thought and energy from all who seek the prosperity of the colony. Southland has great cause for action. It is highly desirable, if not imperative, that those of our citizens who have a stake in the Province — whose interests are identical with the rise or fall of Southland— should take a more prominent part in the administration of public affairs than has recently- been the case. The state of party feeling^ if so* it can be called, is alike discreditable to those who take an active part in the fomenting of petty jealousy and local discord, and detrimental to the Province as a part of the body politic of New Zealand. How can it be expected that Southland can continue to exist as a Province when we present to the rest of New Zealand the lamentable spectacle of " a house divided against itself?" «How can we hope to obtain from the General Government assistance for the liquidation of our liabilities— in the advancement of our material resources —when we appear to strive to prove an incapacity to conduct our own affairs in a wise and intelligible manner? Surely, when the principal citizens hold aloof from public 'duties — when those Who are capable of placing before the General Government the correct position of our' affairs, our necessities and our futureprospects — abstain from aiding in the regeneration of this productive, but muchmaligned Province, it is a certain indication that a radical change in the Constitution under which we are governed is necessary. In any remarks now made they are not to be taken as especially applied to Southland. This Province is clustered round with difficulties, still it can scarcely be deemed singular — Auckland is equally embarrassed, and all the other Provinces are more or less confused. While, therefore, in now urging an inquiry into the working of the Provincial system, it is not to this Province only, but to the Whole colony we speak. In directing the attention of the people to the prejudices, the local bickerings, aud local incompetency, which has "marked the administration of the affairs of this and other Provinces— the object is to create a thoughtful consideration of the question, " How has the Provincial system worked?" The only answer which can be given is, that however much it might be adapted to aid colonization when the colony was in its infancy, and the functions of the Provincial Councils were of somewhat less importance than a fourth-rate vestry assembly would be in an EngHsh village, it is evident that they are worse than useless now. Nine Provincial Governments — with a General Government of Upper and Lower Houses — for a colony that scarcely numbers more of a. population than two towns in the neighboring colony of Victoria, is an extravagant, cumbersome, and unworkable system which, in the natural course of events must, if continued, ultimate in all coming to g r ' e f__to universal insolvency. Kuiri appears stalking abroad throughout the length and breadth of the land — financial difficulties are participated by all— the Statute books are a mass of incongrous fragments of conflicting laws ; Province is pitted against Province, and as a disunited people, New Zealand is gradually sliding into a position the most deplorable— local bickerings aud local misgovernment is rapidly destroying the credit and reputation of the colony in all quarters of the' globe. Yet, while all this is acknowledged there is no public spirit— althoughtherocks towardswhich the stateship is drifting are in sight, aud utter wreck staring us in the face, those capable of rendering assistance gaze complacently on, content to let unskilful hands hasten the calamity which all profess to dread. To take Southland for instance, not that it is worse than its neighbors, but that it will be an illustration more readily understood by oar immediate readers than if any other Province was selected. The Provincial Council has been made to represent, in a very mild form, the Parliament of Britain : it has its representative of Eoyalty and its Executive Council ; it makes laws aud professes to debate great political questions • it has a long list of Government departments, with staffs of departmental officials. The Superintendent has gradually had the powers, constitutionally vested in him, clipped, until the office has almost ceased to be one of influence or power. The Land Eund is appropriated to pay old debts, and the revenue over which the Council has control has been reduced to a contemptibly small sum— Dot sufficient to pay adequately the various departmental expenses which are being incurred. In short, the Council has ceased to be honored. Men of ability and standing refuse seats in it, and the

most able of those already 7 there* shirk the responsibility of office; while the-pub-lic speak in derisive terms of our " sham Parliament." A great and radical change must soon take place. During tbe next session of the General Assembly the Government, whoever they may be, will be forced to face this question. If the Separation of the two islands cannot be obtained, — there is little chance of it being — an attempt will be made to consolidate the Provinces by re-union of those formed under the New Provinces Act to. those from which they separated. The deliberations of the Assemby are of vital importance, and should be watched with attention. A change must be made, and the people throughout the entire colony, while demanding a reform, should seek to learn in time what that reform shall be. One thing is certain, when a political institution sinks so low in public estimation that men of ability, influence, and industry, decline to assist in its working ; when the material for constructing an Executive is so scarce that it is next to impossible to form one; aud all the public estate is mortgaged, it becomes a useless and extravagant mockery. Provincial Councils in many parts of New Zealand have reached this point.