LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 335, 19 March 1863, Page 3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

March oth, 1863. . Slß,—How is it that the opinion is so common in other parts of the province that Wanganui has had an. undue share of the Provincial revenue ? And why is it so difficult to disabuse people’s minds of this idea while the fact is so directly contrary ?

The answer is plain enough. Large sums have been placed on the estimates for Wanganui, and casual observers, hearing no complaints, have very naturally concluded that these sums have been expended. The Wanganui bridge may be taken ’as an instance. £SOOO were placed on the estimates five years ago, and have been continued ever since till the last session of Council, and an additional sum of £IOOO was voted two years ago. Thus the bridge alone has placed in the aggregate £27,000 against us in the eyes of many who ought perhaps to know better, but who don’t. No. 3 line may be taken as another glaring instance of the same kind of thing on a smaller scale. It is a very disagreeable thing to be charged —even by public opinion—with money Ave never get, and this evil was increased'.by the "money votes of the Provincial Council last session, which Avere unusually large, but without a corresponding increase in the expenditure. 1 noticed in a Chronicle a few issues back, ' that you considered it desirable that members should be sent down Avho would take measures to insure the expenditure of the money voted by the Council. I quite agree with you. But it seems to me there are only two ways of doing this. • The first is, to insist that little or nothing he placed on the estimates for Wanganui. If they are very determined about it I tnink they may manage this. The other course is jnxmded by the Constitution act. If the Executive will not execute the wishes of tj/e Council, remove them, and substitute others that will. - s ' I cannot see any other plan that -will insure the expenditure of the money voted by the'Council. The first of' these tw r o plans had better be adopted in the ensuing session by our members, as the majority in favour of Government is too decided to admit of the second at present. After the general election, liOAvever, it may he possible to remove the present Government; and then arises the question, will it be desirable to remove them? It is said they are better able to manage the affairs of the province than any other men in it. “ Look at their ability, ”it is said; “look at their.talent.” Well, look at their talent. Most people will admit that as far as talking and writing are concerned their talent is pre-eminent. ■ But they have had a long trial—let us look for indications of talent in their actions. Does their immigration scheme, hoav that it isjiullilied, indicate talent ? Does the spending the revenue in beautifying the Government buildings and improving the toAvn of Wellington ? Does the Wanganui bridge—do any of their bridges ? Does their manner of dealing Avith local boards indicate talent ? lam afraid, sir, Ave Avill have to go back to their printed works, and listen to their Avordy eloquence before Ave find much.

. As for the assertion that we have no men in the province qualified to re]dace them, I will not attempt to refute it. If that is the case, then is representative government in this province a delusion, and .constitutional government an impossibility. But then it may be said the next government may treat us in Wanganui no better than the present—they may take care there is little money voted for them to expend in Wanganui. Well, that case is possible, and our only remedy -would be a bitter one—our only remedy would be found under the “ New Provinces act.” We should have to separate. Your obedient servant, An Elector.