POLITICAL—GENERAL.

Southland Times, Issue 951, 15 May 1868, Page 3

POLITICAL— GENERAL.

Since our last Bummary via Panama Mr Stafford, the Prime Minister of NewZealand, has addressed his constituency in Nelson, which district he represents in Parliament. According to the telegraphic despatch, it would appear that he met "with but an indifferent reception. He states that it is the intention of the General G-overnment to impose an income tax, and to press on with measures calculated to lead to the estahlishment of one strong central Grovernment. There is no doubt that the party, known as the Centralists, will muster in strong force during the ensuing session, because the financial position of several of the provinces are such as to make it almost a matter of necessity that the system of double Government should be abolished. That this course will be pursued is almost a certainty ; but whether the abolition of Provincialism ia accomplished by the Centralists or Separationists, is a matter of indifference, as long as it is accomplished. The expense of governing the people of New Zealand is something enormous, owing to the complicated and unnecessary machinery of Government existing, and all classes' of the community are complaining of the excessive taxation.