THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2053, 3 August 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875.

It is not often that the people of a country are called upon to take part in effecting radical changes in the constitution under which their governmental institutions are iramed, but the opportunity is now afforded to the people of this colony through their representatives in Parliament and their own voices. The change to be effected—and we take it for granted that the change will be madedoes not merely pretend to be an improvement upon a form or system which has been regarded as nearly perfection as could be expected in the institutions of a

new country. It is something far beyond this, namely, a radical change in the character of our representative institutions. The Provinces, with their elective chiefs, their Executive Councils, and their Provincial Councils possessing extensive legislative powers, are to be entirely abolished. For these there is no •übstitute provided. Herein we see one element of good, although the chanjjje appears to be, and really i>, little short of a revolution. The Superintendents of Provinces have been at times little less autocratic than the . most despotic monarch. . Executive Councils have wielded large powers, and could make or mar any district by the disposition they evinced to assist or retard its progress/. As for Provincial Councils the penchant shown by these bodies to multiply legislation was becoming absolutely mischievous. While, therefore, we; may deplore, the stern necessity which demands such a wholesale demolition of liberal representative institutions, we iare fain to invite the blow which must complete the work. \

In offering any remarks on the. Abolition Bill we do not intend to attempt any explanation of.the several clauses. The bill is before the people, who are competent to form an opinion as $o the meaning and intent of the ; several;, provisions .in;the-' measure. It provides rfibr the abolition of our institutions as; ab present worked,. and the immediate substitution of a system more suitable, to the growing requirements of the country. Provincial. Capitals are to be robbed of the importance which attaches to them as such, and henceforth they are to be only of importance by right of their own resources and capabilities, acquiring no additional advantage from haying: the revenues of a large district or province administered fromtheiVcentresfc-arid fil-tered-.to extreme fineness in passingthrough so many official processes. Provincial capitals will be. amongst things; of the past, and the saving effected in this direction ought to be considerable-

The Abolition Bill commends itself to; a district like the Thames for many reasons. Provincial administration for some years has not been of that character likely to gain the attachment of any class. If-.Auckland had had a liberal land fund from which to subsidise the out districts, Provincialism might have been made popular at' the Thames, but the reverse has been the case. There has been no land fund; the goldfields revenue has been administered in a fashion that led people to suspect that some portion of it was diverted from its legitimate channel; while the purely local' revenue has been spent without the people having any-r-or but little—voice in directing the expenditure. Por all this we are offered a substitute which almost bewilders us with. its liberality. The goldfield revenue is to be spent in the district in which" it is raised, though chargeable with salaries and other liabilities. The Borough Council is to have control of all revenue accruing from publicans' and other licenses, and be further subsidised to "the extent of £1 for every pound raised in general rates. The advantages to the Borough are manifest. From a poor little borough languishing for want: of funds, with, no income but what is wrung from the burgesses,' the Thames will, under the promised new system, rise into the position of a first class municipality. There will be some inducement to the people to tax themselves, knowing that their efforts will be liberally seconded by the subsidy and the local revenue ; and any one of sanguine disposition might draw a picture of the Thames in the years to come as a perfect specimen of a lown»under local control, assisted by a powerful' central government. The provisions are not less liberal in regard to road boards ; and instead of special vbtes doled out without much regard to necessities, each board will receive in subsidy a sum in proportion to what it may raise in taxei —than which no system could be fairer. ' ■;"'

> So far we have glanced at the Abolition Bill in the effect it would have upon the Thames/ or other districts similarly situated. We have not referred to the land fund, because we have no such fund. But it must be borne in mind that in the future, if a land fdnd.be created, road districts will: be entitled to an additional subsidy, from this source, by which means they would be able to undertake works the necessity for which is daily felt. The advantages, then, offered 'by the Abolition Bill to this district over Provincialism will, we think, be'conceded' by every one. There is no rooni for question iii: the matter. Under the new bill--we' shall have by right all that has. been contended for for years. The Local Government Bill is a mere corollary of the Abolition measare, prepared more witt ia view of extending selfrgovernment to '■, cpuntryridistricts./ 7 lt, is similar; in many respects to the Victorian system of Shires, which has been found to work • well; ■' ■-and :^tUe';' manyadvantages' -; conferred>by^this/Act will not require enumeration to commend it to, the notice of what may be, called; .country settlers,; t.e., persons living outside the boundaries of the municipalities; ; v

There is one important consideration which ought to be taken into account in discussing the abolition of Provinces. It is the ability of the Government to carry out the provisions of the Abolition Bill if it should be passed. It is true that the Colonial Treasurer has framed the estimates on the supposition that the change will be made, and the sum of £80,000 is set down as" grants to municipalities and" road boards.'\Jf the revenue; should fall; off suddenly there is borrowed money: to fall back upon for the current financial year, and there will probably be for next year. What is wanted is some guaran-

tee — some security that the. Government will be able to give all that is promised in the Abolition Bill in, the future. If the people arc satisfied that the consolidated fund of the Colony will be equal to this strain, after meeting the annual charges for interest and sinking fund of loans, there can be no question of the popular vote •. it will be decidedly in favor of abolition.

It is to "be regretted that in submitting a measure like this the Government could not have proposed to deal otherwise than they have with the land fund. ■We are not surprised to learn that opposition has been offered on this score by members who were committed to the abolition principle. Although we are told that the land fund has been settled by Act of 1858 to be Provincial revenue, and to be expended locally, tve contend that it is Colonial revenue, and as such should have been included in the consolidated fund on which the subsidies to road districts aro to be made chargeable. We know there is no hope of this being altered. There is a strong party in the the House favorable to abolition but opposed to meddling with the land fund, arid no attempt will be made with any hope of success to amend the bill in-this particular, although it would simplify it considerably. We look upon this as the weak: point—the most assaiiable provision in the Bill; but amongst many jtnembersit will probably; constitute its rtrength; although if passed as it stands New Zealatid: will be alone in the method; .of dealing; with its land fund. Although^ amendments will probably b> madein the billtiefore it becomes law, thereis little hop© of an alteration in this direction^(whereas) ;if it could be effected,;ii would qffer^tlie best guarantee ■pbsjjibiei of the payment of subsidies to the road districts without having recourse to the provision in clause 17, of raising loans to meet deficiencies in the land fund in any provincial district; and there-would bei guarantee of a more equitable distribution of the land?fund than flan be ■hoped for..-under the ■ system proposed, some of the existing provincial districts being virtually without land from which a fund can be obtained. : ;:;