NEW ZEALAND STATE OF POLITICS.

Southland Times, Issue 585, 31 October 1866, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND STATE O F POLITICS.

(From the "Otago Times.") If any one were desirous of placing oV,t:-ieles in the way of improving the re-lition-s between the Provinces and the Colons, the Middle Island and the North Island, it would be a stroke of policy for him not to deny that reform was required, but to raise discussions as to its nature. AYe do not mean to accuse anyone of adopting so decietful a policy ; but those who raise obstacles at the outset of the great measure of reform required, by prematurely canvassing its details, aud too strictly insisting on their exact nature, must recollect, however honest and sincere they may be, they are proving themselves enemies to the cause. It was this, Mr Stafford said, when he addressed his constituents at Nelson at the commencement of the year. He told them that the country was eager for change ; was in an incipient condition of revolution ; nothing could stop the movement excepting the want of concord between those concerned in it. Probably this is the most formidable difficulty in all measures of reform, because it is one which ranges on the side friends and opponents. It was this which stood chiefly in the way of the removal of the seat of Government from Auckland. "Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, and Canterbury were alike anxious for its removal ; but they could not agree as to the locality to be substituted. "Whilst the want of unanimity prevailed, Auckland was safe. At last it was suggested that the movement should at any rate be started — that the removal should be decided on, and the place be left for after decision. The result every one knows, and in adopting the illustration we express no opinion concerning it. It is precisely a similar difficulty that rests in the way of redressing the many evils under which, admittedly, New Zealand now suffers. There are so many plans proposed — and each has its own adherents — that the real strength is divided. If anything is to be done, the promoters of these various plans must combine to commence with, and keep together so far as they have to travel the same road. For it will be found, if we mistake not, that, at any rate for sooe distance, the supporters of the several remedies proposed will find that they can keep to the same path, without materially departing from the route they desire to go. The principal remedies suggested may be thus described : Ist. Insular Separation ; the Provinces being left as they are at present. 2nd. Insular Separation, with the destruction of Provincial Governments. 3rd. Insular Separation, with the absorption of the smaller Provinces into the larger. 4th. Insular Separation, with the consolidation into one of the Provinces of each Island. sth. That, as an immediate remedy, the power of the Provinces should should be increased to the extent of making it incumbent on them to preserve law and order within their own limits ; that a financial adjustment of the past should be come to ; that the financial revenues of the Provinces for the future should be defined ; that the expenditure of the General Government should be minimised. "With this plan, it is an open question, whether, as a sequence, the smaller Provinces should be absorbed into the larger: whether there should be Insular Separation ; or whether the Central G-overnment should mean a Federation of the Provincial Governments. Such are the various remedies ; and it may be added — on the lead into which we are now drifting, and which seems to be the object of what is called the Colonial party — a strong Central Government at "Wellington, accompanied by the gradual destruction of the Provinces, through overwhelming them with financial difficulties and circumscribing their powers. "When it is considered that the plans we have roughly described, and even modifications of them, are floating through the brains of many able men, who earnestly object to the destructive process at present proceeding, it will be understood how many adverse agencies are at work, and how exceedingly difficult it is to draw up any set of resolutions which will meet the views in detail of the reformers generally. Eut now we come to apply the principle upon which we have already commented, and of which we gave an illustration in the case of the removal of the Seat of Government. If headway is to be made against the disastrous — for it is nothing else — direction which affairs are now taking, it is absolutely necessary the supporters of the various remedial views should combine. As far as the commencement is concerned, as far as putting on record a protest against the designs of the Colonial party, it matters not what the resolutions is. So long as they are understood to mean that affairs are not to be allowed to continue as they are, as an initiatory step they should receive support. If there is to be agitation for the mere sake of agitation, of course no good can be expected to come of it. But if it is desired that a practical result should follow, the matter should be viewed from a practical point. Not only is it necessary to determine the extent of the concessions that can be procured, but it is no less necessary to see clearly the way in which they are to be obtained. For instance: A portion of the proposals which we have summarised would require to gain effect from Imperial Legislation, whilst the Assembly could give effect to another portion. Again, it is very certain that an internal adjustment of the finance, and of the outsatanding responsibilities, must "be arrived at before the Home authorities are at all likely to lend the Colony assistance to carry out a measure of organic reform. "We cannot too strongly advise those who are interesting themselves in the cause, to think over these things, and to draw a broad line between that which is practical and that which is merely theoretical. "We will, on another

occasion, more minutely examine into the bearing of the various proposals, "with the object of ascertaining how far they lead up to, or conflict with one another. When this is done, and at the same time there is a firm determination to adhere only to the practical, we expect it will be found that the points of difference are neither so serious nor so numerous as seem to be supposed.