PROVINCIAL—POLITICAL.

Southland Times, Issue 633, 18 February 1867, Page 3

PROVINCIAL— POLITICAL.

During the past month the Proviribial Council has been in session. The business transacted was not of ah important character: Indeed, it is becoming more apparent that the system of Provincial Councils is becoming an expensive nuisance. The late session was a case in point. It extended over a period of nearly three weeks, and presented the spectacle of continual petty wrangling on the part of some of our members, in discussingtopics of secondary importance, while subjects that really demanded pressing attention were left over until the last moment, and then hurriedly pushed through, without that calm deliberation so essential to be observed upon matters of important pnblic interest. Certainly the only noticeable deviation from this rule was in the debate upon the subject of Separation. Mr Cuthbertson, a gentleman largely connected with the squatting interest, and representing the district of "Waiau in the Provincial Council, introduced the annexed resolutions, and supported them in a very able and temperate speech. He was followed by most of the members, and the debate extended over tw r o days, and resulted in the resolutions being affirmed by the Council. The importance of them may be understood when it is mentioned that they have been copied into nearly every newspaper in New Zealand, together with extracts from the debate. An attempt was made for a dissolution, but defeated. Several reductions have been made in the salaries of officials, and the Government promise to devote their attention to the construction of roads throughout the Province. The Estimates were only passed for six months. It is more than probable that some new blood will shortly be introduced into the Council, as several members have signified their intention of resigning their seats in the Council. It may also be expected that changes will shortly take place in the construction of the local G-overnment. The following are Mr Cuthbertson's resolutions : — That the form of G-overnment at present estabhshed in the Middle Island, namely, by Provincial Governments controUed by a Greneral Government, is not conducive to the efficient performance of the functions of Government, the pubhc credit, or the interests of the community, and that an alteration of this system is highly desirable. That any change ought to be in the direction of simplification and consolidation. That the absorption of the smaUer provinces by the larger is not a change in this direction, but, on the contrary, would tend to perpetuate the evUs arising from the present system. That the estabUshment of one Legislature and Government for the whole Island, bearing such relations to the General Government as might be necessary for the interests of the colony as a whole, together with a comprehensive system of local self-government for districts, would be advantageous to the community, and tend greatly to strengthen tlie financial credit of the colony. That our representatives in the Assembly be requested to use their influence for the attainment of this object. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to the honorable tbe-Colonial Secretary. The resolutions above are unquestionaly the most business-like and equitable propositions that have as yet emanated from any ofthe legislative bodies of New Zealand. The object sought to be obtained is plainly and distinctly set forth, viz. — : the destruction of Provincialism, Financial Separation, and a EederalYunion. The cry of Separation has been the election watchword for years in Otago, and more recently has been adopted in Canterbury, Auckland, and Westland. In Canterbury the desire for a radical reform in the system of -Government is also strong. "Thus the question of Separation is still one upon which no two Provinces agree, while the majority of the . Middle Island settlers maintain that an immediate change has become imperative. Southland has condemned the Provincial system. It has has laid the corner stone of an equitable Separation of the two Islands,— a Financial Separation that will ..not destroy the unity of New Zealand,.while it insures for the North and South Islands more • fair and adaptable laws. The Provincial Council has done this, will the people endorse its act ? We learn from recent Otago papers that r a petition in favor of Separation has been prepared for, presentation to his Excel-

, lency Sir Geobge Giiey, and that 1500 signatures have already been obtained. Here we have evidence that the Provincial politicians of Otago are not in the ascendant—that the demandforSeparation is becoming more and more demonstrative while the Otago Association is vanishing into thin air. Now is Southland's oppor--1 tunity. A basis of Separation, fair and equitable, has been produced, and it is the duty of the people of this Province to endorse the acts of their representatives. His Excellency the Govebnoe will be soon among us, and that will be a fitting time for the presentation of a Eeform Petition. Perhaps out of the nine miserable principalities of New Zealand, Southland has had the greatest opportunities for observing^ and more pungently felt, the evils arising from the \ provincial system than any other Province, and -it should be her mission to strike at the root of the decayed tree that is fast scattering poison broadcast. Let us speak out boldly : affirm in unmistakeable terms that reform must be obtained, and that nothing less than Financial Separation will be deemed satisfactory. It is plain to every observant mind that any tinkering with the Constitution, any return to the old provincial boundaries, will not be the reform desired by the people, and would only lead to intensified agitation and discontent. A change in the system of Government must be achieved ; but any. change that falls short of the basis laid down by the Provincial Council will be worse than useless. -*>