The Southland Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1210, 15 February 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1870.

Tlteet dow and again, in one or other of the contemptible little principalities into ■which JvTew Zealand is divided, something 18 occurring to brine: disgrace and ridicule upon the entire system of government now in operation in this unhappycolony. Each division of the country hsß in turn played its " fantastic tricks bffore high heaven " in such a manner as, if. not to ft make the angels weep," at least to cause serious loss and annoyance to'the communities made to suffer by the successive burlesques of Government. The best interests of a province have repeatedly been trampled under foot by contending parties, and that not when a question of statesmanlike policy was at stake, but when the matter for decision has been who should or who should not receive place and pay. Men who, when addressing constituencies, have loudly expressed sentiments of purest patriotism, declaring themselves willing to work and suffer for their country's good, and to j whom the slightest imputation of desire for personal aggrandisement would have been the grossest possible insult, have, with lamentable frequency, when opportunity afterwards occurred, displayed at once the worst weaknesses of human nature, and their own selfish, propensities, in sacrificing the interests committed to their charge for paltry objects of individual ambition. Each and all of the provinces have in turn occasionally presented such humiliating spectacles in connexion with their, governments, but those known as the new provinces — Bawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Southland — have been most prolific of such scenes. Hawke's Bay, indeed, scarcely deserves to be classed with the latter two, as, probably owing to the fact of such able men as M'Leah and Oemond having been bo long at the head of her affairs, she has enjoyed a tolerably orderly existence. I'be brawls iv which the two latter have been embroiled are, however, too well |nown to require reference ; both have gaiued dishonorable notoriety for ministerial situations and superintendental

dead-locks. "But to Marlborough. the most insignificant of the lot, must be accorded the*" honor of having outstripped all the others in bringing: contempt and ridicule upon provincialism. Her history, since the unlucky day which gave i her separate life, is simply a record of | party quarrels and contentions, involving no noint of general importance to the I whole district, but affecting merely the interests of some few individuals. As between Auckland and Wellington, so between Blenheim and Picton. there has been a perpetual fend as to wbich should have the profit and glory of being the seat of government. The latest development of Marlborougb's rowdyism has been a fisrht over the Super'ntendency. Late in December a new Council was called, a speaker was duly chosen, and the chamber proceeded to the election of the chief executive oflicer— his Honor. There appears to have been but two candidates actually in the field, Mr Eras, the former occupant of the coveted seat, and Mr Seymoue, a new aspirant, but both were so equally backed that the contest was a doubtful one, and the game had to be cautiously played. After the election of the Speaker, an immediate adjournment for a few hours took place, to permit of the arrival of two dilatory members, and when they again assembled, all being present, on counting heads it was found that neither candidate could command the absolute majority— eleven, and so a further adjournment was resorted to. Next moraine, another parade of forces took place, when, according to Mr Seymotjb's statement to the Colonial Secretary, there were nine members, including Mr Seymottb, in favor of Mr Eyes, and 10 members, also including Mr Seymour, in favor of Mr Seymour. This gentleman ' claimed 11 supporters, the Speaker being on his side. Another adjournment occurred for the purpose of trying to compromise the matter, and when they met again, Mr Eyes, having in the interim been informed that one of his party would join the opposition, and carry Seymottb, rather than put the country to the expense of a new election, immediately rose, and by virtue of his holding office until the appointment of his successor, exercised his prerogative, and prorogued the Council. Mr Eyes also writes to the Colonial Secretary, requesting the Governor to dissolve the Council, and in doing so gives | a rather different account of the fracas. He merely says that, after several meetings, he saw it was impossible business could be proceeded with, and | therefore took the decided step he did. As might have been expected, after the prorogation, meetings,. public and private, became the order of the day, and the reports given of them in the local papers 1 show personal feeling to have been allowed free scope. Indeed, the whole community appear to have become excited, and to have indulged in the bitterest animosities and abuse. The language made use of at some of the meetings, and even in the Council Chamber, was anything, but parliamentary or polite, just the thing to degrade politics so that respectable persons would prefer not to meddle with them. For the present the dispute has been settled by the Governor dissolving the unruly Council, but our own experience would lead us to anticipate a repetition of the scene after a new election, and meantime the poor province is put to all the trouble, expense, and 1 objectionable excitement attendant on such a process under such circumstances. The only cure for such disorders in the state would be such a measure of reform in the constitution as would sweep away at once the legislative powers of provincial institutions, and place in their stead one strong central government for the Middle Island, which would at least have the merit of being free from the influence of so many small local jealousies. The sooner we have such a change the better.