The Invercargill Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1866.

Southland Times, Issue 596, 26 November 1866, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1866.

The reform of the constitution is a question that is day by day increasing in importance and occupying the attention of the leading politicians of every Province in the colony, still as yet no comprehensive and equitable scheme has been propounded. Separation has been the question of questions agitated in the Middle Island for years, yet no workable idea is forthcoming. The North has taken up I the question and loudly calls for a reform, but the reform they demand is an intensification of provincialism — constituting the Province of Auckland a petty colony, with all the sham paraphanalia of a viceregal establishment ; Otago is working in a like groove, while Canterbuy seeks a positive separation of the two Islands; and the central Provinces are in favor of the Stafford policy of one strong and united Government. As long as this disjointed system of working for one common end is indulged in so long will the colony remain in its present state of anarchy and confusion. How can this discordant discussion be brought to a profitable end? The only course that we see open to anything like an amicable understanding between the Provinces is the meeting, during the recess, of delegates from each Province to deliberately discuss the various reform measures that have been advanced. The leaden cloud that has co long hung over this misgoverned and heavily taxed colony will never be pierced until a thorough understanding has been come to between the leaders in the various Provinces. To this end a conference at which all the Provinces are represented, should be immediately convened. In throwing out this suggestion we do so from a firm conviction that as long as self-aggrandisement ia the mainspring of provincial agitation the great problem of equitable Government for New Zealand will never be solved — that all the Otago demonstrations and Auckland candidates pledgings will be the same soap bubbles they have hitherto proved. All agree that reform has become a positive necessity, why then allow provincial bickerings to retard its accomplishment. "We are convinced that the provincial system should be abolished, and the financial separation of the two islands completed, in order to place the government of the colony in a fair and just position. The grasping proclivities of those Provinces who seek to render the General Government a mere cipher are as dangerous as those of the centralising politicians who persistently seek to make the General Government the Alpha and Omega of all legislation. The question resolves itself into this — the New Zealand constitution is a conglomerated mass of inconsistencies — it is neither a Federal Government nor a supreme controlling power. There are Provincial Governments of a costly description in a number of places that are not able to support them, and a General Government with an unlimited power to tax. Thus the Provinces are taxed to support mimic Parliaments, and again taxed by a General Government to keep them in order. Such a system can never work satisfactorily, even supposing that each Province had identical interests — that one code of laws was applicable to all, much less in a colony embracing two Islands, that require distinct legislation, and have no common bond of union. It is patent that the interests of the North and South have no affinity. The Southern interference with the. native difficulties is condemned by the North, and the cost of this interference is a source of bitterness to the South. This is a partnership that should never be permitted to exist. The great question however is, what change can be made ? Amidst the self-seeking babblings of the Provinces no answer can ibe elicited. The ambitious candidates for the title of His Honor the Superintendent, and the holders of provincial offices, while acknowledging the system to

be W cling to ttis Bnreds antl tatters t>f & worn»6ut organisation with & tenacity most nerniciouSi If we take Southland as s,u illustration, what do we find ? With a limited territory she has a governmental staff that swallows up all her available revenue. Roads are neglected, public works are almost at a stand still, and everything assumes a stationary if not^a retrograding character. Nearly every other Province is in a similar position. If anything feasible is to be done, provincial discord must be crushed out ; the demonstrative upheavings of the large Provinces mellowed, j and calm deliberation on the part of all manifested in discussing this most vitally important question. It may be advanced that this is good in theory, and asked how can it be put in practice? Our answer is, let the question be debated dispassionately in each Provincial Council at their next sitting, and two delegates from each selected as accredited representatives to a friendly conference, to debate the whole question and adopt a defined course of procedure. It is evident that the present disjointed agitation which is going on cannot result in good. Unless the representatives of the various Provinces learn to know that their spot is not the one particular star — that others have a voice in legislation as well as them — no reform will be obtained. The Separation (financial) of the two Islands with a Federal G-overnment and comprehensive municipalities ; is the reform to be desired. This cannot be got unless the conflicting elements now existing can be harmonised, and a united effort made to lay down a system that will be fair and equitable to both North and South, To this end we look in proposing a conference of delegates from the Provinces before the General Assembly is again in session.