The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 963, 5 June 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1868.

It is now understood by all classes of politicians that some reform in the Government will be effected during the next session of the Assembly. It is a matter for congratulation that the ventilation of the subject during the recess, has in ameas are, reduced the multiplicity of schemes for the reconstruction of the constitution to a very narrow issue. The Centralists have become better understood, and tlie Provincialists les3 exacting in their demands. Both parties acknowledge that changes must be made, and a better feeling as to the working out of the changes required is gradually being evidenced. We have persistently advocated the centralising of certain departments in the General Government, as far as it could be carried out without infringing upon the powers of local self-government possessed under the provincial system ; nay more, in advocating the closer union of the fragmentary mock parliaments now existing with that of the chief Legislative Assembly, the one object_was_the_ bbtainance of a more complete and defined system of local self-govern-ment. The abolition of Provincial Governments before another and better system was perfected, and had gone through the crucible test of working, was never contemplated by any but the most uninitiated advocates of a unittd New Zealand. The main end and object that is sought to be obtained by the Centralistsis to simplify the working of the go vernm ental m achinery , aud to ins ure a complete s/atein for the management of such departmental organisations as can be more economically and efficiently carried out under one, instead of nine heads. In short, all that is desired is to remodel the constitution in such a form as to secure to every outlying district a fair share of its local revenue. This is the policy we have constantly advocated, and this is somewhat like the policy that is now enunciated by the press and representatives of a majority of the provinces. Auckland, Canterbury, Taranaki, Westland, Hawke's Bay, Nelson and Marlborough, appear favorable to it ; and Southland, we believe, is almost unanimous in a desire for a reform that will justify a reduction of the heavy duties now levied on the necessaries of life, and which so heavily presses on all classes of the community. It is most desirable that the people should well understand the nature of the changes in the system of Government that the conservative reformers seek to accomplish. It is not the destruction of local selfgovernment, but defining the powers of the General Government, and ensuring to every district an equitable share of its revenue for local requirements. There can be no question that under the present system there are many departments kept up by Provincial Governments that, as isolated institutions, are costly, and, colonially speaking, inefficient. Among the most conspicuous are the police, gaola, harbors, lunatic asylums and reformatories. All these should be colonial and not provincial institutions. The cost of keeping nine separate police organisations, with their commissioners, inspectors, and others officers, is, on the whole, a costly absurdity ; and so is a provincial gaol establishment. It must be patent to every thinking man that by centralising the management of these departments a considerable saving could be effected and the general efficiency considerably increased. There are many ot her departments which could be cited

that might •with advantage be placed nnder the control of the General Government. For instance, a colonial Lunatic Asylum and Reformatory would relieve the provinces of a great and increasing responsibility. It would also be most advantageous to the colony if there was one good educational system, instead of the nine provincial ordinances now in operation. The time for the re-assembling of the General Assembly is close at hand, and it behoves every member to put himself in a state of preparedness to debate calmly this most important of all questions — a change in the working of the constitution. That reforms will be made there can be no question, and it is also certain that a majority of the provinces are in favor of • a modified system of centralism in the de- [ paitments we speak of — that is, that the General Government shall have the control of the police, the gaols, harbors, lighthouses, defences, &c. ; taking for the maintenance of such departments the ordinary revenue of the colony, and securing to the provinces the whole of the land fund and local revenue. If the powers of the General Government were thus distinctly defined, and the position of the provinces placed upon a firm basis, a liberal system of Government would be the result. "We do not, nor do we believe any party desires, the destruction of the provincial system until a better one is provided. What is desired is to see the colony strong and self-reliant. It is the duty of the members for Southland to support any measure of reform calculated to lead to a reduction in the taxation which has been yearly increasing, and will continue to still further increase unless the provincial system is considerably modified and the power of creating debt abolished.