Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] FRIDAY, NOV. 23, 1894. PROVINCIALISM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4884, 23 November 1894, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] FRIDAY, NOV. 23, 1894. PROVINCIALISM.

It is strange after Provincialism bus been dead and buried for some twenty years to bear that it is to be resuscitated " by order of the King." The Government lire reported to be preparing for local government reform, and intend next session to give the Colony a modified Provincialism; Our first feeling is one of regret that further sweeping changes are ahead of us, and that Mr Seddon is steaming the State vessel through another fog. The Ministerial fiat Ims gone forth against certain local bodies, and till their fate be decided they will be partly paralysed in their respective spheres of usefulness. Which are tho local bodies which are now to receive tho happy despatch from the Seddoniau bowstring ? When Provincialism was abolished counties were established, ami tlie change was on tho whole disadvantageous' to tho' progress of settlement. The Provincial Councils understood the settlement of new country,; and General Government did not, i The Provincial' Councils were strong bodies in which most, of tho best public men who have served New Zealandliadgraduatcd. TheCouiity Councils ftvo Weaker vessels which havo turned out but very few ablo, men. The difference between' a strong Road Hoard' and a weak Comity Council is decidedly in favour of tile former. Road Boards aro unlikely to be dispensed with, and tho probability is that. Counties will be grouped into Provincial Districts, For example, wo can conceive that tho union of the Pahiatua, North Wairarapa : and South Wairarapa' Counties, into one Provincial district, might be attended with many, advantages, not the least of which would bo the creation of a strong representative body 'and. an efficient' engineering'stafE. Such a body could bo entrusted with functions that (ire not at tho present time rolegated to; County Couiicils, and might relieve tho''General Government of touch" admiuistrative work? It is said that the Government propose, to givp tho'new I form of local government increased revenue, but : this probably nidans increased responsibility, liv .the niatter of' -finances, tho-. present Gov'ornment are better : nt';,taking than at giving, and if they givo the proposed new local bodies a, pound thoy will I ,possibly alst) ! Saddle them with a liability of tw.enty-fivo shillings, There are, however, many and undoubted advantages to • be gained by a judicious re-organisation of local self-government, but ns yet j

Soy.ernpont ara', equal to the .task they iiro setting themselves. As we J said; before, the first effect of the pro? posed changes will. be to. intensify tho existing depression and unless the scheme which is being concocted is a statesnianslike measure, and no one iu tlie Cabinet has yot displayed any aptitude as ft statesman, the game will not bo worth the candle.