THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2060, 11 August 1875, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1875.

The opponents of the Abolition Bill, who hare buoyed themselves jip with the hope that the constituencies would declare in their favour and against the Ministry in condemning the abolition: of • princes, must feel anything butassured by the telegrams which almost daily now make known the results of various public meetings held throughout JSew Zealand to discuss the proposed

bill, and pass resolutions thereon. In vain cau Sir George Grey assert that-the abolition scheme i? unconstitutional and illegal, and that &he imitation of the American Federal syitem, as adopted by himself when Governor, cannot be swept away except by the voice of the pebple, and that this voice is dead against the destruction of that scheme which he seems to love with all the pride of a father. The voice of the people—to which, as a dernier resort, Provincialists cling— seems, as-far as we can ascertain, to be directly in favor of Centralism and the Government; and in spite of warning telegrams, to the Thames, and vague promises of indefinite good which may be expected in the future when Provincialism, like Prince Charlie, shall enjoy its own again,the example of theThamesinpassing resolutions expressing their thorough confidence in Government measures and their sympathy with the Abolition Bill, has been followed in other parts where meetings of the people to debate on the quesquestion haye 1 been called; while in one case a constituency vhas passed What is almost equivalent to a vote 0f... censure,, on their representative for the. apathy displayed by, him on a subject which they evidently consider concerns their near interests. . Public opinion then, as far as can. be ascertained at present, rejoicesih the anticipated oyertlirbw of a system 'of government whose machinery, is .both; costly^ and cumber-.; spml.;i-a.nd 'though '6f'*c6urse it. cannot, be expected that so sweeping a measure can be passed* without many dissentients, yet as faryaSjWe can see.;.enough has been shown to prove that not in the General; Assembly-orily have the GoVernment '■&} majprity, btft also in the hearts of the* people "tliemselves; and that even were the present motion deferred until after the election to give voters a chance' of returning either "Pr6vincialists or Centralists, the result would*: as.. far ; as the Bill is concerned, be very much the same; and though the same representatives of the people might not be returnedv?yet the Centralists would exact from their members promises to support a bill tltfey deem so beneficial to themselves, and probably give to the Government a more decisive majority ih an they have even at-present. "Vox pQpuli est Vox:.Dei is a favourite motto wii^ vairieaderS;6fjdemocratic tendencies,; -and. pertaialy^the voice of [the people shouldi be fairly Sea* d; and when at variance with Ministerial schemes jnay well make the Government pause before :thrust; violent; measures -down unwilling throats. In this case, however, not only do- the .people showthemselves ; contented to receive Abolition, but they appear eagerly to desire it, and perhaps when Sir George Grey fully realises the fact that this voicel of the people which he delighth to honor is not on this occar sion on his side, he; will wisely give in and own himself fairly and honorably beaten. We must however break a lance with those who, in arguing this important question, cannot refrain from, indulging in personalities, and attributing motives to the opponents of ; the Abolition B}U as-childish; and -absurd as., 'they probably are unjust. Is it likely that Sir George Grey, for. instance—who, if what rumour asserts be true, is in ho wise benefited in a pecuniary sense by the amount received by him of that £4000* which the Advertiser of this morning draws attention to as spent among four Superintendents annually—should wish to retain the Provinces as an institution merely because he is Superintendent of one of them ? Neither can any one single act be pointed out. during the long public career of the other three Superintendents alluded to, which could afford any ground whatever for the charge made against them of being actuated by love of money, or clinging to their pride of place. ; Though strong, surely Centralists can afford to be just, even if not generous, and refrain from imputing motives to men who have hitherto shown themselves undeserving of such treatment. . ■