Late Telegram.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1626, 3 May 1875, Page 3

Late Telegram.

Xt Macandrew on the Land Compact-

[SPECIAL TO THE STAR.]

DUNEDIN.

This day,

The principal "part of Mr Macandrew's speech was delivered at considerable length with additions and questions. He deemed the necessity for change was not far to seek. The cause wag the present condition of the affairs of one thing was clear must not Ibe partial abolition of the provinces. They must stand or fall together, or else merge into one another, as Otago and Canterbury might well do. It was usefull to disguise from themselves the fact that abolition of provinces meant appropriation of the provincial revenue for Colonial purposes. Otago and Canterbury, which hitherto supplied the lion's share of the consolidated revenue have still more to do so, implies that the revenues from railways constructed by the provinces will become colonial revenue, and the administration of waste lands and settle: ment of country without less responsibility to the people than at present, and co far aa Otago is concerned is conducive to the public interest. Personally, he did not share in the belief that the land compact of 1856 would become unalterable law. It could not be so while the Parliament of New Zealand waa composed of such conflicting elements. The main question for the people of Otago was whether they would submit to be swept into the maelstrom of colonia finance. The" destiny of the province was in their ; hands if they only roused themselves superior to local jealousy. A radical change in the political frame-work of the colony was necessary, and if it only took the right direction it would be a happy day for the colony when the new Provinces Act was passed. Me was persuaded that if they went back to the Constitution Act and all the respective provinces rely on themselves, which a Central Government for purely federal purposes, the provinces having full disposal of their revenues, contributing to the proper maintenance of the General Government, and payment of the colonial debt, it would be better and more conducive to the reduction of the cost of administration and greater efficacy. At present the Central Government was neither able to reduce one or increase the other. The colony had already abstracted two millions of provincial revenue, not one farthing of which was expended, in the province.