New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1876. THE PRESENT WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 179, 1 September 1876, Page 10

New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1876. THE PRESENT WEEK.

This is an eventful week, and will be memorable in the annals of New Zealind. Sir Julius Vogel has resigned the Premiership with the view of obtaining the appointment of Agent-General iv London. This office was offered to him, he says, by his colleagues in the Cabinet ; and considerations arising from ill-health, and the duty he owes to his family, have induced him to accept the offer. The late Premier is a lucky man. Dr. Fe ATHERSTOff died j ast in the nick of time, and at a moment most convenient for the personal and family interests of Sir Julius Vogel. But there is another aspect of the question. Sir Julius Vogel has, by his policy, brought the affairs of the country into a state of almost inextricable confusion. He has pulled the constitution to pieces, and, as it seems to us and a great many more, he and his party, though still willing to consumate Abolition, are in such a state of alarm a.id bewilderment that they do not know what step to take next. And iv these circumstances it is that Sir Julius Vogel deems it becoming, wise and manly to run away. Perhaps he thinks the old saw — " He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day "" — contains a profound principle of politics. Sir Julius has set the colony in a blaze by his unwise and obstinate policy, has succeeded in evoking a most determined spirit of resistance which nothing but a return to the old order of things political can appease, and having done so, decamps. The truth is, though it may appear strange, the Vogel Government has fallen, rather than resigned ; it has fallen, though backed in the House of Representatives by a large majority of abolitionists ; because this majority is not in harmony with public opinion. The fact is, the late Vogel Government was absolutely unable to carry on the affairs of the country in the face of the hostile attitude of the people ; and further persistence in the policy of abolition would have provoked an armed resistance. This is a lesson that will not be lost upon the people of Otago and Auckland. It proves to them what union and determination founded on justice can effect. Another remarkable event of this week is the public meeting held in the Drill-shed, Dunedin, to protest against Abolition, the absorption of the land-fund by the General Government and Centralism. Between twelve and fifteen hundred people attended this meeting, and the utmost uuanimity prevailed; whilst the determination of those present to resist Abolition to the last extremity was not to be mistaken. From the first there have been a few here who played fast and loose with this question, who, when the question of Abolition was first mooted advocated it most enthusiastically, but who, so soon as public opinion declared itself decidedly against the measure, changed their advocacy, if not their views, and have ever since given a sort of half-hearted opposition ; and who now say they want a Board of Works in order to secure the land-fund of the Province. But a Board of Works would be little better than a sham protection, and what is really wanted is an independent Provincial Legislature placed, within its own sphere, beyond the power of the Central Government. The old Provincial system with a few modifications would suffice. Separation, indeed, in terms of Sir George Grey's resolutions so lately rejected by tne House of Representatives, would be the best form of Government for the entire Colony ; but failing this, the old Provincial system for the Provinces which desire it would, with a few modifications, and absolute security against the encroachments of Centralism, suffice for all local purposes. These modifications are as follows : — Ist. A reduction of Provincial councillors in Otago, at all events, by one-half. 2ud. Responsibility secured by biennial elections instead of by an executive chosen by a majority of councillors. A responsible executive on the English model seems to be singularly out of place under a Superintendent elected by almost universal suffrage every fourth year. The sooner the present confusion and uncertainty ceases the better for every interest in New Zealand. Men are now out of employment, and things generally are dull. This need not be the case. This country has abundant resources, and room for millions of men. All that is required to secure

plenty and prosperity for all is a little wisdom, forethought, and disinterestedness on the part of our legislators. But so long as one part of the Colony is endeavoring to over-reach another, one part laboring to plunder another of its vested rights, nothing but heartburning, determined resistance and consequent insecurity and stagnation can be the consequence.