SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 22, 11 July 1868, Page 2

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sib, — The present lull in active politics, in this Province, caused by the dead lock in the Council, seems to be a rery fitting time for the Colonist to review the deed* *• of his rulers, and to endeavor to form an opinion as to the best means for ensuring hia being rightly treated for the future. As I have no object in masking ift^fcft> ing, I would plainly state that the grait sign of the political times is the complete failure of our Provincial system. Let it take every credit to itself for certain acts of usefulness, done in past times, yet it ia evident that it has accomplished its purpose, and must make way for a new and more catholic order of things. The old saying that "it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back," has never been better exemplified than in the nine weeks' cabal of the twenty-fourth session of the Otago Provincial Council ; and can we, as Goldfields inhabitants or Electors of Lawrence, compliment ourselves on the results, or want of results, of the past session, when we consider that we are identified in the minds of theAlembers of Council for other districts with our members. Is the Member for Lawrence a representative of any interest in this township ? and can we blame strangers thinking and saying, when any improvement is suggested for this district, " Put it off for a more convenient season ; if they are like their Representative, they won't be very troublesome ! " Or what respect can the bluster of one of our Goldfields Members, or the petty intrigues of another, have demanded from the thinking portion of the community ? There is, then, no cause for surprise that ao shallow a financier as Yogel should be able to take the leading position he has done, and play the Triton among the minnows. Now that some of the districts of this. Province, as Oamaru, Gladstone, and Waikouaiti, are taking steps to have themselves constituted Counties under the proposed new scheme, I think those residing in this district who are anxious ta see the farce of Provincialism played out, should take steps, by meeting in public, to consider the advisability of taking similar action in this matter. Let them carefully consider the following questions :—(1).: — (1). Whether the time has not arrived for the abolition of Provincial Institutions, as unsuited to the advanced state of the Colony. (2). Whether local government, by the County or Shire system, would not be more suitable for the various districts included in the Colony. (3). Whether it is not their duty to meet and discuss matters of such importance at public meetings, and if convinced that a change be necessary, to form committees to carry out their objects. Not to take up too much of your time, I would only call attention to the first question, trusting, if allowed space in a future issue, to consider the remaining, points. _ _ Provincialism was at first, tl^Hpfeecessity, on account of the isolation of the various centres of population, though even at the time of its formation it was never intended to divide the Colony into nine petty states, each with a House of Reprt-

aentatives, aping the usages of the British House of Commons, JM saddling the un«

fortunate taxpayers with an extravagant expenditure. At the present^ time tho Jlflfegfi of the Colony are changed ; roads, . r steam communication, postal arrange- " "meats, and telegraphs, are Connecting the various parts of the Colony, and it is not difficult to understand that the necessity for the perpetuation of ao cumbrous a machinery has terminated. Another great objection to our Provincial Council, as at present constituted, is that in so many cases its legislation is inoperative. As the mountain, after long parturition, brought forth only a mouse, bo the session just concluded, after all the •kilful midwifery of Yogel, hat given us nothing better than a Goat Nuisance Bill and an Amended Amendment Act or two. Again, how often aftertime and money have been spent in framing Some showy Act, the precious document is disallowed by the higher powers in Wellington.; or, from technical errors made by our tinkering law-framers, sent back to be repatched, with much trouble and loss of time. - Provincialism, io far from being, as iome persons seem to think, an advance on central Government, has, in fact, Jbecome a clog on the social and political' wheel that becomes heavier every year. By the continued clashing between the actions of the two Governments, and the undefined limits between their jurisdictions, it has become virtually impossible for a settler to transact bnsiness with the State ; and often, after weary attempts to settle down on his farm, &c, finds himself as far from his object as at first, and, perhaps, in disgust, seeks other fields and ' more tempting pastures. The word ' ' Centralism " has been used as a bugbear to frighten .us, but with the safeguard of the county schema (of which I propoie to mite, in your next), there will be no danger of undue influence of the Central power, and we shall be freed from that ■worst form of Centralism, that at present exists, to the ruin of the up-country districts, and from the disgrace of being ruled by a body of men who, with few exceptions, have not the respect of their own constituents, and whose deliberations provoke the smile on the faces of their neighbors. PaOMETHETJI.