The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5124, 19 June 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1885.

The institution of a centralising force in the colony is impregnated with many dangers, and Tefy sad results may ensue if such a system be 'unwarrantably encouraged. There is little doubt that a well-goremed community is very much the better for having a firm hand, with one strong rein, exercised over it, for its own sake if for no other; but the strength possessed by the exercising power maybe misapplied, selfishly or otherwise. The strangely conflicting interests of the various communities which make up the sum of our colonial total, demand more attention than is necessary where a con» solidated people exists. Where a consoli* dation of interests is possible, legislation is not »o much a matter of difficulty as when the general prosperity is divided. We hare in the matter of Life Assurance, for instance, a Government scheme which has been for years in operation, with perhaps qualified results. In connection with this, a proposal is made to have certain local boards of management appoiuted; these proposed, boards, it may be mentioned, are to sit only in Christchurob, Auckland, and Dunedin. Such a proposal may help to disseminate por» tions of the General Government, although the assertion may be made that the Assurance business is entirely disconnected with it. This is not so, as can be readily ascertained by any ordinary observer. Government funds are guaranteed to pay risks'; existing Governments bave consequently,and justifiably, a " big Bay " in the management of the department, and do not forget to exercise their rights in every possible way, whether in manipulating accrued funds ; in the matter of appointments, or in many other matters. This centralisation notion also seems to take effect in relation to the distribution of such blessings as those ear<?fully filtered out in the direction of railways. In Wellington little trouble was experienced in floating the line to the Manawatu—a venture, by the way, now about to be taken over by Government; this is one of the advantages of centralisation. It is on those districts surrounding the seat of Government that the first blessings are showered. The proposal of the Government to extend the powers of the local bodies now in existence will, to a very great extent, sweep away a lot of the abuses now existent owing to this central form of government. The geographical and every other formation, not even ex* cepting the commercial, are opposed to one general Government for the Colony unless very large powers for local purposes are granted. It must be admitted that there is representation of the people, a system of manhood suffrage prevails— yet, central influence exists, and it is unwholesome to the Colony. We await with some eagerness the promised measure of the Government regarding local legislation* aod the maguilude of the subject warrants

some anxiety as to the form those proposals may take. Too much centralisation will not do.