THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 106, 8 May 1875, Page 11

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

On the 3rd instant the Provincial Council of Otago was opened by the Superintendent, Mr. Macandrew, who delivered a speech, which will be found fully reported in another part of this paper, and to which we ask the particular attention ,of our readers. In this very able speech there are two points of especial importance. The first is in reference to the contemplated Constitutional changes, and in his views on this subject we cordially agree. It is clear that all the Provinces must stand or fall together ; and it is also evident, should the Provinces be extinguished, Otago as a whole and each part of it must necessarily suffer enormous loss. "We also agree with. Mr. Blacamdrew where he says — "You' may depend upon it the real question with which the Colony ought to grapple is not abolition of Provinces, but the question of finance — a more equitable appropriation of the public revenue among those I by whom it is contributed," and again the wisest thing that could be done would be to fall back upon the Constitution, and allow the respective Provinces to rely upon themselves; limit the Central Government to purely federal action ; let each Province have the uncontrolled disposal of its own revenue, from whatever source derived, contributing its share pro rata towards the maintenance of the central power, and towards the payment of the debt for which the colony as a whole is now liable. We regret we cannot approve of the Bill brought in by the Government and recommended by the Superintendent in reference to a school rate. So long as the present system of education continues, a school rate levied by the School Committeeswill be a foul injustice to the minority, and cannot fail to engender heart-burnings and most determined opposition on tho part of Denominationalists. A similar rate has led to the most serious and deplorable consequences in New Brunswick only lately. The Provincial Council of Otago ought to take warning from this fact. Let those whose children are educated at the public schools erect the buildings and keep them in repair, &c It is monstrous tyranny and injustice to compel Catholics, for example, who are making very great sacrifices indeed to establish schools for themselves at their own sole expence, to contribute also to erect schools, &c, for the education of the children of people who refuse to contribute a penny for those purposes. It is not to be expected that men will tamely submit to such high-handed, unjust, and tyrannous legislation.