The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19,1874.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1756, 19 August 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19,1874.

Theeb appean to be a diversity of opinion as to the expediency or otherwise of abolishing the Provincial form of Government in the North Island. This may bo " all very well on the ground that "in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom," but ther* is such an apparent selfishness in some of the counsels that the wisdom may be fairly questioned. The Otago Daily Times is willing to see Provincialism abolished in the North Island, provided that Otago'a existence as a Province is not jeopardised. This is quite intelligible. . So long as the Southern Provinces have a large landed estate to fall . back upon, Provincial institutions will thrive, and the advocates of the system . are jealous of any attempt on their local revenue. The Canterbury Press, though arguing in favor of the abolition of Provincialism in both Islands, at the tame time advances incontrovertible

arguments in favor of their being perpetuated in Otago and Canterbury. The Press says:— "If the Government sweep away the provinces in the North Island, because they no longer answer the purpose for which they were constituted, why preserve the provinces .of : the Middle Island which do so even less effectually, and of which two were failui'es from their birth. It may be impracticable perhaps to abolish the provinces of Canterbury and Otago, v because they are politically powerful, and their power rests on the substantial basis of prosperity and wealth. A province which ;has nearly a million of money in its coffers occupies an undeniably strong position, and not to be, easily disposed of. But the others can plead no such exemption." « Here we see the true grounds on which the southern people will base their arguments in favor of Provincialism; and there is no disguising the factthat if Auckland were in a position equally prosperous with Canterbury similar reasons would be adduced for the preference for a provincial form of Government. The Lyttelton Times does not see any great advantages as likely to be gained by the abolition of the Provinces, and considers that the work should be consummated gradually, by the prosecution of public works carefully and energetically. From the general tone of the newspaper press it is easy to see that local considerations are uppermost in dealing with this matter; and, as with the press so will it be with honorable members, we fear. Two public meetings have been held in Auckland Province—one at Newmarket and the other at Otahuhu. At the latter a resolution was adopted to the effect that it is not desirable to abolish the North Island provinces unless the Government are prepared to follow suit with the Middle Island Provinces. Afc the Newmarket meeting this resolution, which is worth, reproducing, was proposed and adopted:— "That, while not pronouncing any opinion on the total abolition of the provinces, this meeting is of opinion that the proposals of Mr. Vogel for the absorption of the Provinces of the North Island and their continuance and confor* mation in the South are unjust and impolitic, and should be resisted in every legitimate way;" [with the addition of the words] "but it strongly suggests the desirabilily of abolishing the whole of the Provincial Governments of the Colony." The addition was adopted on the proposition of Mr. Wrigley and accepted by the proposer of the resolution, Mr. Cheeseman both of whom, as well as the chairman of the meeting, seem to have overlooked the fact that the addendum contradicted the first part of the resolution. To affirm the desirability of abolishing the Provinces is surely " pronouncing an opinion," and it does seem strange that the resolution and its addition were agreed to by the meeting. Should future meetings in deliberating on the subject adopt similar resolutions very little assistance will be afforded to members of the House who feel inclined to vote in accordance with the views of their constituents, and it would be well to keep in mind the principle: either affirm or condemn the proposal to abolish provincial institutions. If that be done, it may possibly carry weight, but any departure from this course will only result in failure. We certainly say abolish Provincialism; but shew us something practical and tangible to be substituted. That being done, on an appeal to the country we believe that a very decided opinion would be expressed in favor of abolition, without much consideration as to the immediate cause which has induced the Premier to bring down his proposals to the Parliament.