The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 284, 29 June 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1868.

As has been for some time apparent, the coming session of the General Assembly will, in all probability, be pregnant with the most material results to the colony of New Zealand, for a number of questions, all of the highest importance, will then be discussed and disposed of. The chief battle of the parliament, however, will be brought about by an onslaught on provincialism, of which warning notes have long been heard, and the attack at length openly avowed by Major Richardson in his address to his constituents atßalclutha, on thej;l7th inst. Of this we gave a telegraphic summary embracing the leading points, on Saturday, but as we learn that the Major spoke for an hour and three quarters, this could, of course, be but the merest outline. The intentions of the Government are however declared, and the Provincialisfcs have ample time to buckle on their armour, and gird themselves for the fray. There is no doubt that they will not be slow to this, for a large majority of them are incited by that sharpest of all sharp spurs, selfinterest. Pretty well, if not all the Superintendents of the various provinces have secured seats in the Assembly, a large number of provincial office-holders of one kind or other, temporary or permanent, are similarly situated,andmany "independent" members are strongly suspected of hoping, at some not long distant date, to share in the spoils that Provincialism affords to the local political soldiery. No doubt these two classes are supplemented by a third, consisting of those who conscientiously believe in the value and the virtue of Provincial institutions, so altogether the muster from all ranks may be expected to be anything but despicable, and from the serious consequences of defeat, to a section at least of the combatants, a desperate struggle may be anticipated. But notwithstanding all. the heroism that can be displayed, we hope and believe ' that the star of provincialism has set, and that the impending assault will demolish what we consider one of the most mischievous and impotent systems of government that ex ists in any of the British colonies. New Zealand has at present two concurrent Governments with a necessarily enlarged expenditure, and whilst efficiency of administration is not only not increased by this double engine power, but rather diminished, the colony has the proud privilege of being the highest taxed in the whole of Her Majesty's dominions. The declarations of Major Eichardson will, we should think, be most satisfactory to all who ever reflect on the political condition of the land in which they live, for he clearly intimates an intention on the part of the Stafford administration, to form New Zealand into one strong government instead of having it cut up into number of petty and insignificant provincial powers. At the same time, by thus consolidating the powers of Government generally, local self-government is not only not restricted but largely increased, for both out of the Land and the Consolidated Eevenue, a fair proportion is proposed for allotment to the various districts for carrying out the public works required. In our case, as we have, as we may say, no Land revenue, under those circumstances, we might fairly look for the whole of the goldfields' income, of course excepting the export-duty on gold, which would be included in the consolidated revenue, and if we had that, there is no doubt that it would amply suffice for all the purposes we could need. The propositions are of a specially sweeping nature, as for instance, the first, which simply is the abolition of Provincial Legislatures in toto. Pew who have carefully read the proceedings of the Councils of not only Nelson, but of Otago and other places will greatly demur to this. The next in reference to elected coun- i cils of twelve being general and without details, it is difficult to form any clear idea of its value. The following ' giving proportions of revenue to each i province for public works is satisfac- i

Tory, and the the division of provinces into counties or road districts, is more to our mind than all. At this rate, if the ministry are successful in their policy, thoro.will he at least one and not improbahly two counties constructed between, say the Karamea and Cobden, whilst as many, or perhaps three formed road boardsjwill be in the same areas. Though in fact subject to the General Government, the local powers would have the disposal of their own funds, as far as all public works, such as roads, bridges, wharveß, tracks, &c. &c. wore concerned. We should therefore he lo( ally governed in all matters that we specially care to have to have in our hands, and such an arrangement would, we are sure, work well for all parties concerned In times past the Provincial party had some difficulty to hold their own, but now with the example set by more than one province of reckless expenditure, and, consequently, hopeless insolvency, with a large number of convei'ts to the cause of one strong Government, and last though not least, the addition of several members from the West Coast all warm in their denunciation of Provincialism, there is every ground for sanguine hope that it is doomed, and it will go to its grave regretted by few beyond those who have some powerful motive in desiring its retention. To go into the subject at length is needless, but it is satisfactory to know that a distinct issue has been raised on the whole question, and that in a few weeks it will be brought to trial before a jury, which if not a dis-interested one, is at least gathered from the whole colony.