Political-General.

Southland Times, Issue 885, 20 January 1868, Page 4

Political-General.

The Assembly being in recess, political news is at a discount. The question of areconstructionoftheconstitutionis, however, still receiving consideration in every province. The centralizing policy of the Staffobd Ministry is steadily increasing in favor, and but few now are found to advocate the continuation of the provincial system in ita present form. Meetings have been hald in' Canterbury, Auckland, and other places, in all of which a strong public opinion has been shown in favor of retrenchment, and the adoption of a less expensive system of Government. It is acknowledged by all classes that unless this is secured the taxation, that is now extremely heavy, must be still further increased. The propriety of adopting a land ojr income

tat is being freely. %cUisW..T|e | brivil of &6 &dri Mr tfd± was ioo&ed forward to by the conservators of provincialism with great anxiety. They expected that' ft> would have immediately reappeared on this political plat%m,- and taken ihe .position .oOea^eivok theparty. He, however, has intimated that it ia not his intention to at present enter^the political ateha, and specuMioii is ftfe as to his motives for coming td . stich a decision! ,Tt k generally believed ttiit tn coimoii with other thoughtful politicians, he believes that his pet acheme^-Pro-vincialism—has done its work and is doomed. This has been > great disappointment to those Who had looked to;him aa the etiampldn of their cause; O&e Announcement that a had been received frond the^ Secretary pf State for; 0 ' Colonies; )!s»_ Ex» Mency Sib 4eobge Gbet to retain, hia Gpvernorship until after the, visit to New Zekland of the: Duke ; of f buegh, has given universal ■Batisfaction Throughout the entirje colopy^ V f^?? that his lecall at this particttiat.tiaie was 'unjust to him, and . distasteful ..to the colonists has Men ;ojtetiijLa&d empathi : §a&f feipresseA. Sib Geobge Gbet h Jheldin high estimation by ev^ry class "Whatever may jhave been the difference of opinion as to his policy on certain occasions, his indomitable perseverance rdd lafedrs in th^ gerldririanjie of '■ d;. ,-feSft : ? i tlie ;^oSt difflcdlt tftai-a- colonial governor could be colled upon to discharge, has been universally acknowledged. - The influence he has vfith the Maori popular tion, makes his recall just at the time wheu a lasting peace was about to; be sealed, most inoportunei ; and VieWed With dlSsatis'faction, The Eingite natives have tendered theib alfegiariee td the Crown, and solicited His Bicellency -to permit tl^ td inl;M4iiced ip the lsuke of Bdinbiirgh to offer him au invitation to visit their districts.