The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1871. "Measures, 'not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 197, 9 November 1871, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1871. " Measures, 'not Men."

From the tone of the House of Representatives, it is almost certain that next session organic changes will be made in the Provincial system as at present constituted ; and in whatever direction these changes tend, we may confidently predicate that they wilbbe eagerly welcomed by a large majority of colonists. Provincialism, whatever may have been its services in the early days of the colon} 7 -, has for years past seriously impeded its progress, It has begotten and nurtured a wretched spirit of jealousy between the residents of the various provinces, which will take long years to entirely eradicate. This spirit of jealousy has inflicted incalculable evils upon the colony. It has prevented the formation of a healthy and vigorous public opinion., on , colonial affairs, and Retarded for years the construe- . tion of public works indispensable for the proper development of the resources of the country. The efforts of those who desired to see the public estate devoted to legitimate settlement have been thwarted by this miserable spirit. United, they could have withstood the power of the runholders .and' land-sharks; divided, they have been easily conquered in detail, and the millions of acres of New Zealand's choicest land now in the hands of large capitalists attest what has been lost by their defeat. It is time an end was put to this state of affairs. The Public Works and Immigration Scheme must not run the risk of disaster through provincial jealousies. Provincialism, it cannot be denied, tends largely to demoralise those who come within its influence. Every village from which the affairs of a province are administered swarms with needy adventurers and political hangers-oti, constantly endeavouring to worm themselves into positions which will enable them to prey upon the public revenues. The attention of merchants and tradesmen is distracted by the ceaseless caballing going on around them, and, I instead of pursuing their avocations i to the benefit of themselves and the colony, they join the ranks of the plotters. The provincial capitals are thus converted into hotbeds of intrigue, where everyone is endeavouring to advance his fortunes by his skill in political necromancy; rather than by the legitimate prosecution of his business. The effects of this state of things in -the provincial seats of government pervade the whole colony. Men neglect the development of the resources of the country in order to take a hand in the petty political game played in the provinces, and there is an almost universal scramble for Government billets. All other avenues to advancement or fortune ai*e too vulgar foT the New Zealander of 1871. Added to this, the fictitious importance assumed by these provincial " capitals," and the hope that the public . money, which was so freely lavished upon their embellishment in the palmy days of the colony will again flow in the same channel; attracts many to them in search of employment which is never found. Allured by the same false glitter, many tradesmen have invested their all in these " capitals," and started in business, only to find, in an aggravated form, the evil they thought they escaped from by leaving the old country, viz., competition too keen to allow them I a living The result of all

this is that in these '" capitals " trade is in a state of stagnation, and there is a vast amount of privation and sundering; and in them lie, uselessly corroding, the capital and labour the country sorely needs and would gladly welcome and find ample and remunerative employment for. Can it be wondered at that while such a state of things exists the colony does not prosper as it ought to 1 It has been stated by advocates for the retention of our present form of Government that the cost of Provincial Governments, compared with the amounts expended on public works, &c, will bear favourable 'Comparison with that of the General Government, and that in many directions the latter has been grossly extravagant. Granting these statements to be correct, they do not improve the cause of Provincialism. By abolishing the latter, we not only do away with some admittedly needless expense, but we destroy the buffer which intervenes the General Government and the people. This buffer demolished, the tide of public opinion will have free and uninterrupted play upon the Central Government, and will- speedily sweep away abuses which ' have grown up and are perpetuated only through popular ignorance ot their existence.

The Philistines have come forward to rescue us from our friends. The runholding Legislative Council has agreed unanimously to request the Governor to cancel the saje .of the 50,000 acre block on Moa- Flat, effected by our settlement-promot-ing Provincial Government. While awarding all honour to the gentlemen of the Legislative Council for the stand they have taken against, this nefarious sale, we cannot but feel humiliated that we had to appeal to them to save us from the men we ourselves invested with the power they have so grossly abused. However, "since it is as it is, we must mend it for our own good ; " and 'we heartily congratulate the residents of the Teviot district that they "have found friends in high places able and willing to save their heritage from becoming the prey of a rapacious landshark, through the machinations of an unscrupulous Government.

More taxes ! Twopence duty on cheques, and twopence on receipts ; the amount of the latter requiring a stamp reduced to £2. Verily, the patience of thtit long-suffering animal, the British, or rather New Zealand, taxpayer, is being tried to the utmost. Would it be treason to suggest that certain, wealth} 7 corporations, who make large profits by trading on the money of the colonists, and the shareholders of which with few exceptions, never saw the country which yields them such large revenues, should be compelled to contribute towards relieving the colonists of a small portion of their almost intolerable burdens ? A tax onbank notes would, not be more unfair than a tax on cheques.