The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1953, 8 April 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1875.

Satb'the,Tribune:—"Some people and notably some few newspapers continue to cry out for the details of the system of Local' Government which is to succeed Provincialism. They cannot say much for "tfce latter, but as they profess to be entirely ignorant of the former, they^atg willing to bear the ills they have rather than xuslvori others tfrat they know not of. There is some policy but no candour in such a cry." And, we might add, little consistency, for some of those who were at one time loudest in approval cf the proposal to abolish the Provincial form of GoTernment are now clamouring for the details of the scheme which is to be substituted, whereas formerly they were prepared to accept anything in lieu of the present gystem. The Tribune further remarks :— •• The Government, whose; members have the best opportunities of obtaining in formation, tvill in due time siibmit their scheme 16" Parliament; when everyone who has given his attention to the subject can make himself heard cither in or out of the Bouse, and discussion and amendment can be proposed with benefit. For ourgeives, we hare no belief that a perfect •ystem can be struck off at ahi at; it will require the test of practical operation to find out both the strength and the weaknest of any system that may be agreed upon. * * * * So much for the Apeption of details. Fortunately, while %*&» will be differences of opinion on

thatpnint, there is no difference of opinion, so far as we are aware, amonganti-provin-cialisis on the principle of local government. The people in every district will manage their own affairs by elective boards, and the details of this system, while vevy important to its practical success, may be considered patiently and with due regard to all the circumstances of the case."

A great deal is being made of the fact that the resolutions as carried are only intended to be partial .in their applies tion to the Colony, and the anomaly which would thereby be presented of having separate portions of the Colony governed under different systems; but if it can be shown that the change will be beneficial, we contend that the Provinces to be benefited could with a good grace agree to accept the change, even to sacrificing their much prized Provincial Legislatures. If partial abolition should be carried out and result in enlarging the powers of district boards to manage their own affairs, and thereby conferring^ hitherto unknown advantages on outlying districts, such-a result would be the best argument possible in favor of making the change general. It appears strange that persons can be found who will admit, the desirability of, and advantages to be derived from a change, and yet stupidly oppose it unless applied to the whole Colony. If the change from Provincialism to some simpler and less expensive form of local government is to be advantageous, by all means let us hare the change; but if it can be shown that the Provinces proposed to.be wiped out will derive no substantial benefit, produce the proof, and let us unite to maintain such institutions as we bare in their fullest operation. Sir George Grey has already found out that without money his efforts will be futile to redeem the waning prestige of as a Province, and unless he can show a way to get money without importuning the General Government for it, he cannot hope to succeed in recovering for Auckland that position amongst; the Provinces which she once enjoyed. The results of Provincial administration in Auckland since the last session of Parliament have not been of such an encouraging character as to convince any one that the abolition resolutions were premature ; and unless some unexpected windfall comes, the Provincial Executive on meeting the Council will have to confess that what has been accomplished has fallen far short of what was expected. The revenue has not come up to expectations, and but for the special grant from the Colonial Government many absolutely necessary works would have had to remain undone.