AND GOLDFIELDB REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 394, 26 September 1874, Page 2

AND GOLDFIELDB REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Inr our last issue we directed attention to the proposed provincial changes, which, though, we have no objection to their becoming general, in the meantime only contemplate the North Island. The apparent necessity for this change, as well aa limitation, lies in the impecunious condition of those provinces. So deficient are they of the needful commodity that provincial charges proper have to be defrayed by colonial money, and as much as a million and a half has been diverted from railway works to satisfy their eager demands for provincial works. When the Premier, with a view to meet the large demands to be by-and-bye made on the consolidated revenue for interest, brought down the Forest Conservation Bill, these provinces went in most strenuously to oppose the scheme, and yet they were most clamorous for those very works creating the demand for interest. If we mistake not, the Public Works scheme received fully more favor in the northern provinces than in the southern on their first proposal. If so, it does not become them to shrink from the legitimate consequences of what they have hitherto sanctioned. It does not seem to us quite honest to go in for gigantic Public Works, and then when the time nears that interest must be paid on the money for their construction to refuse necessary guarantees, and this is what is virtually being done by opposing this scheme. It is hard, it is said, to take the breeches from a Highlandman ; but if those provinces have anything at all, they ought not to refuse satisfaction to the public creditor. The provinces have been striving who should obtain the largest share of the colonial loans ; the argument was, we might as welljhave our share as any other, and on this ground all sorts of improbable schemes (so far .as payable was concerned) were put forward, and log-rolling and every other device was set in motion to render these schemes successful. In fact, when the Public Works were under discussion, the separate provinces reminded us of an ape's compartment in a menagerie at feeding time — each ape is so intent on robbing his neighbor that he is blind to the fact that hia neighbor is meanwhile robbing him. As this was tho precise position of these provinces in relation to the Public Works while the hungry provinces were being fed, we are more amazed than sorry to find them making the discovery that their own feeding box has been meanwhile emptied. There Is no use disguising tho qonsequencea from ourselves. If we go we may expect to go a-sorrowing, especially if there, is neither assets nor income to meet the coming liability. We cannot both eat' our loaf and have it at the same time. These northern provinces cannot both spend their estate and have it ; and now when they are reduced bo far as they have been, it is only right and proper that they should make the best arrangement posBible, £and compatible with good faith to meet. the demands of the creditors. But .we do not wish to be unfair to these northern provinces. We would not lay down for them any principle we are not prepared to accept. The Middle Island has always gone in for Public Works on colonial guarantees; and if ever our demands in this respect gb beyond our capabilities, no power among us can stop a similar treatment of our provinces. To go in for extensive Public Works whose paying capacity is problematical, or at least not proved, will, if these works prove a failure, inevitably place the Middle Island provinces in a similar position. The only thing that can or ought to save the landed estate or revenue in such circumstances is- for each " district to consent to be rated for any deficiency in the reproductiyeneas of such works. We say

this all the more earnestly that there are continually claims being made from particular districts for Public Works that are as yet premature. There are still . aspects of the question we shall be obliged , to postpone. ,