The Southland Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1157, 1 November 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. MO NDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1869.

ITHE-Jfbiitical is at present serened After ' tb'e*""tml of strength, which the late struggle evoked, the headers on : both -sides -^seenr to have Bettled down to their usual avocations.' performed, , and f they now look to the members of the Provincial Council for the. issue. . Whfct the programme will be when fck© /session commences, we are no tr in a position to disclose. So far as we are^ aware, no caucus has yet been held by either party, so that the plan of operations caunot have been arrived at. It is to be presumed, however, that tbe representatives of the people are anxiously pondering in their pwu minds schemes for the public good, and that they will come together fully prepared to give and receive expressions of opinion formed on more serious consideration of the important subjects with, which they will be called upon to deal. Anything like fanatical obstinacy or obatructiveness on either side is equally to be deprecated, have by this time seen the propriety of j modifying extreme opinions uttered during a period of excitement, and have come to take a more comprehensive and accurate view of the various relations which will be affected bj annexation. It is patent that the proposition, in the majority of instances, was accepted rather as a means — a doubtful one — of obtaining immediate relief, than as a question of p olitical economy ; and it must be quite as obvious that organic changes effected on such light and temporary premises are wrong in principle, and must be disastrous in their results. Those members, therefore, to whom the position of a seat at the legislatorial table is new, or comparatively so, will show their own wisdom by duly respecting the opinions of men who have bad much better opportunities of acquiring knowledge in political science. Of < course, the question of-re-union will be tbe first and paramount one at the approaching sitting, 1 but there are others of scarcely less consequence, which deserve timeous consideration. There is no adequate machinery in existence for the proper working of road boards, and we are assured it wants but the enactment of a judicious measure of this nature to effect much in the way of opening tip the country. Municipal provision for themanagement of the to wn s in -the Province is also absolutely necessary, and should be undertaken by 'the Council' at the .earliest opportunity, j Our educational system must likewise form a subject for enquiry, the present arrangements being very unsatisfactory, as, beyond the leasing of a few of the endowment reserves, the public are not cognisant of any of the transactions of the Board. The present plan is acknowledged to be wholly inadequate. for the purpose intended, and has procured for Southland the character of being the worst educated province in the colony. Other matters of public utility also call for attention, and will no doubt suggest themselves to members, but those we have mentioned are a few of the most urgent, and we commend them for consideration during • the 'interval elapsing before the Council meets.