The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 728, 25 September 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1867.

The rejeelion of the Local Government Bill by tbe General Assembly has not injured the cause of Centralism. It has merely postponed for a time what must enevitably take place. It is simply impossible that Pfoviucialisrn can much iooger exist. The rapid strides that have been made by the colony in material progress daring the pasb seven year** clearly tends to demonstrate that New Zealand is destined to become a great a,nd powerful nation enjoying, to a high degree, all the advantages of civilization that is inseparably connected with the progressive tendency of the Anglo-Saxon race. There is nothing more calculated to contribute to the achievement of such an object than a united Colony, possessing one strong central government, administering the constituted laws of the land in an impartial manner. This can only be obtained by the abolition of the present disjointed Provincial system, and the substitution of counties and municipalities throughout both Islands subordinate to the Colonial Executive. When the provinces were first established it must be remembered that the form of Grbverument sought to be introduced partook a good deal of an experimental character, and for years it worked well. But why it did so can easily be explained. In tbe early days of New Zealand, communication between the Provinces was few and far between ; the postal arrangements were imperfect ; steamers seldom visited the numerous ports dotted along our immense seaboard, and consequently a local form of Grovernment was then required capable of fostering the spirit of colonization and protectiag the interests of the settlers without reference to the Colonial Grovernment. The Provincial system, therefore, was an advantage to the colonists at that time. It gave to each centre of population the largest possible amount of control in its internal affairs. It allowed money to be raised, taxes to be imposed, forces to be organized for the preservation of law aud order, and all other things to be done compatible with the most liberal construction of the spirit of the constitution. But what might have then been an admirable form of Grovernment, suited to the limited requirements of young communities, and almost necessitated by the defective and slow communication with the Supreme Grovernment, is at the present time totally inadequate. The impetus given by the discovery of gold has altogether changed the complexion of affairs. There is now a network of telegraph wires connecting the seat of Grovernment with the most distant parts of the colony — there are several lines of magnificent steamers running constantly between the various seaports of the two islands, and both branches of the legislature meet annually to legislate for the interests of the whole colony. What necessity is there then for nine petty parliaments, devoid of all real power to legislate, especially when most of the measures passed are disallowed by the central authority? The sooner the constitution is amended to meet the altered circuinstannes of the colony the greater likelihood is there of permanent prosperity resulting from the change. It is reasonable to assume that New Zealand cannot continue to prosper so long as a form of Government exists which permits of such extravagant expenditure in. the maintenance of an army of officials, and which necessitates the heavy taxation which the colony is now burdened with. As was before advanced — " we should rather propose to ourselves to show that a large class of persons in the various provinces are something like the active vestry men of the London panaheg.

They make a very handsome yearly subsisfcance by talking provincialism to the general public. Altogether there are somewhat over 200,000 souls supposed to be in New Zealand. Taking the usual estimate out of this 200,000 there are 50,000 adults and taxpayers in the general sense. . To govern these 200,000 persons there are ten separate and independent governments. For our present purpose we must leave out the tenth or general government, and assume that it does not exist. So then we have nine separate and independent governmenfs. These governments are in the northern island four, employing 276 persons, at a cost of £47,500 in round numbers. In the southern island five, employing 282 persons, at a cost of £77,200 in round numbers. Or giving the gross totals of 454 persons dividing among them £125,000 of the taxation of the country. This, it will be remembered, is not strictly the cost of the provincial government, for we know that ifc costs somewhei*e about double the amount, leaving out of the question what it costs indirectly by the withdrawl from their legitimate pursuits of something like 1000 persons for mere official and legislative duties of no possible value to the public. The Province of Taranaki employs no less than 22 individuals, at a cost of £4722 annually to administer its affairs. The province of Hawke's Bay employs 25 persons at a total annual cost of £5118, while Wellington employs 76 persons at a cost of £15,017 9s. annually. This province having a population numbering about 7000, requires about £7000 to keep its people in order. TVe need not multiply these instances of scandalous extravagence. To men who take the trouble of reflecting at all upon the matter, it must be evident that these officers and offices are not required. But as we have now disposed of the petty malversators of the public money, we will proceed to take the greater delinquents. Those who come nearest to each other are Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago. Auckland has one hundred aud fifty- three persons engaged in her Provincial Grovernment, who divide among them £22,602 143. 9d ; Canterbury has seventy-four at £21,833 ; Otago one hundred and twenty-three at £38,538. Thus Auckland pays her officials an average of £141 2s. 7d. each yearly. Canterbury £285 0s 9|d, and Otago no less than £313 5s 10|-d. The average on the whole colony being £223 2s s£d. If here is not a strong argument against provincialism we should like to find one." Let us glance at the following table, carefully compiled, which is taken from a northern contemporary, aud we perceive that this Province bears the greatest proportion of debt per head of population as contrasted with the chief European countries — the colony of New Zealand, including Provincial debts, and of each province, excluding the share of the general debt, and also the allocated debt. Population Debt per Interest per head. head. £ s. d. £s. d. Great Britain } 2 9,070,932 27 15 2 0 17 8 and Ireland ) France ... 37,382,225 12 7 1 0 9 6 Spain 16,301,850 9 9 11 0 3 10 Austria ... 35,019,053 6 810 0 6 8 Russia 73,992,373 2 0 5 0 2 7 New Zealand 220,000 28 10 2 2 0 9 Auckland ... 50,101 9 19 7 0 15 1H Taranaki ... 4,626 10 16 2 015 2 Wellington ... 22,748 6 1 8 013 0i Hawke'B Bay " 4,820 3 2 6 0 5 9f Nelson ... 15,542 2 13 5 0 5 4i Marlborough 5,773 16 0 0 2 7 Canterbury... 58,752 10 11 4> 0 12 11 Otago 49,942 13 4 5 1 1 0£ Southland ... : 7,796 37 4 0 2 19 6 It is high time that the people of Southland should seriously consider the advisability of abolishing* a system which has contributed to place them in such a position,

The ufcilizatijn of the native flax of New Zealand lias recently engaged much attention. Neither individual enterprise nor Governmental stimulus have been wanting to secure the desired result, viz., the production of a material suitable for the manufacturer, and at such a price as would ensure for it a large consumption in foreign markets, thereby rendering it a staple and important export. Several processes, all to a certain extent successful, for the attbinment of this desideratum, have already been patented and are now in operation in various parts of the oolony ; ani it seems certain that it only requires a" very little more experience on the part of those engaged in the experiment to solve the important problem^ In this matter SQtt&lani is we s&My|

if not in advance, at least on an equality with any of the other Provinces. Native flax is now used to -a considerable extent in the local manufacture of rope, twine, mattrasses, and other articles. We have before us a sample of the prepared fibre which seems to come very near answering all the requirements above mentioned. The sample alluded to is from the mills recently erected by Messrs Hay Brothers at the junction of the Waianiwa and Oreti, and recently got into operation. It may be remembered that a short time ago a tract of about 350 acres in that locality was reserved from sale by the Government, for the express purpose of encouraging this industry. Messrs Hay, having, made arrangements with the Government, went to considerable outlay in procuring and placing upon the ground an extensive plant of the most approved description. We are not in a position to describe the process employed by them, but it is highly satisfactory to know that the result so far is successful. We leavn that there are now about a dozen hands employed at the mills, and that though but newly started, and not altogether in working trim, they are producing fully half a ton per day of the fibre, ready for shipment. For a sample of the flax sent to Melbourne they are offered £33 per ton ; one firm alone beir?g prepared to receive twenty tons per month at that price, while the improvement aparent in that produced since the shipment of their first parcel, warrants them in anticipating a still higher price. At the same time that it is desirable to enhance as much as possible tbe intrinsic value of the article by improving its condition, it is equally desirable that it should be capable of being produced in large quantities at the price above quoted, and this we are assured can be done by the appliances now in. operation, and leave a satisfactory margin of profit to the enterprising firm who have risked the experiment. We are informed that the members of the Loyal Shamrock Rose and Thistle Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, intend celebrating their anniversary by a Ball, to take place on October 2Jth. We have to remind our readers of the Amateur j Concert in aid of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, which comes off this evening. It will be elsewhere seen that a most attractive programme is announced, and as the object in view is a laudable one, we anticipate a crowded house.