The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1006, 19 August 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1868.

The Assembly has been some weeks in session, and the Stafford Ministry still occupy the Government benches. The new Commander-in-Chief of the Provincialists, Mr Fox, has proved but an indifferent General, and the Ministry have not only held their position, but strengthened it during the long and spirited attack of its antagonists. "We, in common with many, who hold diverse opinions to those entertained by Mr Fox upon the unity of the colony as against the present system of disunion, welcomed his return to the House of Representatives. An able debater and experienced politician he undoubtedly is, and there were but few who did not desire his re-appearance on the political platform. It was therefore natural that his conduct during the progress of the session should have been watched with inteiest. He has appeared, and it is qnifro /yypffifrr. he has not answered the expectations of his followers or weakened, the power of the Unionists. His speeches have been many and brilliant, still they have failed to carry conviction as to the soundness of the policy he has adopted, and in some measure he has damaged his reputation as a shrewd and far-seeing statesman. He commenced his campaign too soon. After an absence of three years, he returned to his political work very much like the portrait-painter, who being suddenly struck down while executing a likeness, awoke years afterwards to consciousness, and recommenced his work without ever thinking of the changes that time had worked on the subject he was pourtraying. Mr Fox is evidently oblivious to the rapid and important variations that have taken place in the affairs of the colony during his absence. He appears to ignore the fact that by the consolidation of public debts, and the passing of other measures of colonial import, the aspect of political affairs has assumed quite a different complexion to what it wore previous to his departure for Europe. The partnership between the two Islands has been cemented, and it is now impossible that nine independent establishments can be kept up under the provincial system with even the shadow of a hope of a speedy reduction of the heavy taxation under which the colony now groans. Mr Fox's opposition to the Road Boards Bill was faulty in the extreme. It was levelled at the principles on which the measure was framed, as far as to its being a colonial bill. It appears almost preposterous that anyone who claims the position of a politician should refuse to acknowledge the desirability of harmonising the system of local self-govern-ment. Is it not the very height of folly to perpetuate an organisation that divides the colony into petty states and gives each state power to legislate as Belf-interest or caprice may dictate — a system that allows the crossing of a river or an imaginary boundary line to render a colonist amenable to laws of which he had never previously heard ? Xet this it the effect of the provincial system. What is the creed of the Unionists ? It is simply to obtain one code of laws for the whole colony, one a system of police, gaol, and harbor management, uniformity in every department of the public service, and a lessening of the cost of the working of the governmental machinery. This is the avowed object of Mr Staffobd, and in its advocacy he will continue to receive our hearty support. In introducing the Eoads District Bill, appointing a Boyal Commission to

investigate the police, prison, and other systems, he has had this object before him. We are not in a position to affirm that the Epad Boards Bill is a perfect measure of local self-government, but we have no misgiving as to its being infinitely superior to anything that has yet been tried in New Zealand. It may, Be improved by the crucible test of a select committee, but the broad principles,, upon which it is based will, we doubt not, remain intact. The obtainance of la select committee upon this Bill was a triumph for the Q-overnment. It proved beyond doubt that the policy of the Unionists is becoming better understood and appreciated. Mr Pox's "want of confidence" motion has come to grief. It was as follows: — " That an impression having gained ground throughout the colony that His Excellency's Government proposes to effect organic changes in the institutions of the colony ; and great anxiety being everywhere felt in reference to the present and future position of native affairs, it is in the opinion of this House that it is due to the Parliament of New Zealand and to the people, that the Q-overnment should, without delay, afford to them the fullest information on both subjects; and this House is of opinion that no further business ought to be proceeded with until the Government shall have j placed before it a full and precise statement of its policy and indicated the extent to which it proposes to alter or extend existing institutions, and shall have made a clear statement of what is being done in reference to the existing native disturbances, and its intentions with regard to native affairs in future." This was the great test of the strength of the Government and the Opposition. The question of Colonialism v. Provincialism was fairly, fully, and lucidly discussed, and although assisted by the eloquence of Mr Fox the Provincialises failed to shake the position of the Government. Mr Stapfobd ably maintained his ground, declaring himself and his party Unionists, and while not going fully into the whole of the questions which might be supposed to constitute' a Ministerial policy, he emphatically afiirmed that the leading features were the unity of the colony, the consolidation of departments, the adoption of one code of legislation, the suppression of the Maori rebellion with a strong arm, and the lessening of the cost of Government. Mr Fox on "the" other" Hand advocated a return to the primitive system of legislation adopted when responsible government was first granted. He failed, however, to show how his policy could be carried out. The debate lasted over several days, and has resulted in a second and signal ministerial triumph. The result cannot but be satisfactory to all who have studied history, and learnt that a country divided into petty states, with petty interests, never has and never will become prosperous and powerful. In union there is strength.