THE PROGRAMME OF THE OPPOSITION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2058, 9 August 1875, Page 3

THE PROGRAMME OF THE OPPOSITION.

The Auckland Evening Star, in a leader telegraphed from Wellington, gives an "unqualified denial" to the rumour that the Opposition contemplated the partition of New Zealand into four distinct colonies, and further gives, with an air of authority, the principles oh which the Opposition will taVo their stand. We give the article below :— It must be admitted that the Government occupy a vantage ground over their opponents in having placed defined and specific proposals before the country. It matters not how merely specious and entirely impracticable they be, still there they are in their concrete form, which is at all times so attractive to the vulgar •ye." If, therefore^ the unreflecting are carried away by; the specific promises of those who have for the time the further of speaking from the place of j^power, there is no room for surprise. While the Ministerial proposals have this important and effective quality of definiteness, opportunity is given to those so disposed io fill the Opposition programme with all kinds of vague and shadowy things. For example, it has been sedulously^ circulated by the enemy that the partition of New Zealand into four distinct but federal colonies ia one of the

cardinal points in the programme, an idea to which we are in a position to give the most unqualified denial. Indeed, anything of so distinct and specific a character could not he included, from the fact that the necessity of an appeal to the country, the ventilation, and consideration which

that will entail, and the decision of the people themselves, are the fundamental principles at the basis of the action of the Opposition. But while such an appeal is the first great object for which a struggle will be made, we .are in a position to assert that the principles on which the Opposition, take their stand will include the following:—First, a reduction of expenditure in all the departments of Government ; second, a change in the incidence of taxation of such a character that property, and especially the property of those who, from absence, do not contribute otherwise, to the revenue shall bear its just share of taxation; third, a change in the constitution of the Upper House and the Central Government and Legislature before the present representative institutions are-surrendered; fourth, if Centralism is to take the place of Provincialism that greater powers should be given to centres of population, so that like great free cities, they may impose, collect and disburse their own taxation independent of the Government. Fifth, to take steps for the preservation of political life and education in political knowledge. The plans for the contemplated changes will be submitted for discussion during the recess, and after the elections are'over, the party wLUre-form and determine on the definite course of action to be adopted. Such is a general outline of the proposals and of the basis of action of Her Majesty's Opposition.