The Puapeka Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 150, 22 December 1870, Page 5

The Puapeka Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

We are pleased to observe that Reform Associations are springing up in New Zealand. At Wellington an Association, bearing the name of the " Constitutional Reform Association," has recently been formed. As set forth in their programme, the objects of the Association are to promote, in all legitimate ways, the accomplishment of the following Constitutional Reform :—": — " Ist. The abolition of the existing form of Provincial Government, and the substitution of a liberal system of municipal administration in all matters of purely local concern — the General Government being entrusted with the control of all works for opening up the country arterial lines of road or rail — with the management of Education and Immigration, and with the administration of the Waste Lands under a uniform system of land laws, legal provision being made to secure the expenditure of the land fund on reproductive works alone, and as far as possible in the locality from whence the money is derived. 2nd. A cheaper and simpler form of administration in public affairs generally, by the abolition of useless and unnecessary offices (especially the native department), and the imposition of some more effective check on the public expenditure. 3rd. The substitution of an elective Upper Chamber for the present nominee Council." While we wish the Association every success, we fear they have taken too much in hand. The assimilation of the Land Laws of the Colony is a work not to be accomplished for many a long day. Were the association in the mean time to direct their attention to the second and third clauses of their programme, we think the}' might do some good service to the colony. As to the useless and unnecessary offices in the Government service, their name is legion. In our last issue we drew attention to the fact that' there were no fewer than 4000 adults employed in working the Government machinery of New Zealand, or one for every sixty of the population. Surely there is scope for an association to work some reform in a country where such a plethora of Government

exists. No wonder we have provinces at starvation's door, when Government cormorants are swarming the country, and preying upon its vitals to such an alarming exCent. Then again, the abolition of the Native Department would be regarded by the colony as a reform of a radical nature. It is one that is absolutely demanded in these times of retrenchment. That department alone costs the country the large sum of £25,000 a year, altogether apart from any war expenditure, and it is very questionable if any real good comes out of it. £18,000 of the £25,000 is the amount paid in salaries to native servants, and the remainder is swallowed up in travelling expenses, bonuses, and gifts of sugar and blankets. This system of bribing the natives into friendliness is only a mean of encouraging disrespect to the powers that be, and nursing jealousy amongst the natives, which ofttime.s shows itself in open revolt upon the donor. The third feature in the programme of this Association is one of equal importance with the second, namely, " The substitution of an elective Upper Chamber for the present nominee Council." The Legislative Council of the Upper House of this country is about as great a farce as could well be imagined by any reasonable being. As at present constituted, it is nothing but a house of refuge for our quasi aristocracy — the rejected would-be representatives of the people — and it only acts as a drag upon wholesome legislation, and serves no purpose whatever, unless that of a tool in the hands of the Government. If it is intended to represent the wealthy of the land, why not make it an elective body under a property qualification ? We looked forward with hope during the sitting of the House of Representatives when an Order Paper reached our hands, and we observe I th.it Mr. M'[ndo3 j>roposed testing the House on ' the desirability of making the Legislative Council ;\. representative institution ; but we regretted to find that although the feeling of the House was decidedly favourable to the motion, the honourable member for Caversham withdrew it, for reasons best known to himself; in fact, his proposal received more support than he apparently wished it to get, and lie evidently feared it would be carried. By this course, he no doubt worked his point, and pi-evented a better man from moving in the matter during the session. We hops this Reform Association will agitate the question during the recess, and thus brings some weight to bear upon the next meeting of the General Assembly. While Wellington has taken a move in the right direction, the liberal party in Otago have also shown returning signs of union and

organisation, and have formed themselves into an Association named "The Southern League." The Committee of this League reconirnend the adoption of the following principles :—": — " 1. That every Province shall control its own Land Fund, and also the expenditure of the loans for public works. 2. The settlement of the people on the land, with deferred payments and depasturing rights ; and the repeal of the Hundreds Regulations Acts 1869-70. 3. The expenditure of special goldfields taxation upon the goldh'elds. 4. The extension of the suffrage, and amendment of the present system of electoral Registration." We feel confident these principles will be fully appreciated and heartily concurred in by the people of Otago, and we trust to see this Association strengthened by branch leagues being formed in every centre of population in the Province. In the goldfields especially, radical reforms similar to thobe enunciated by the Southern League are loudly called for.

Wf, cannot find more space in this week's issue than to say we wish our readers a "Merry Christmas and all the compliments of the season."