“The Press” In 1866

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 16

“The Press” In 1866

PROVINCIAL SYSTEM (ll).—We have pointed out yesterday that the separation question has assumed a new aspect and wider aspect than at first; that it is not now a question of separation between the two Islands, but between all the provinces; and that the real danger which overhangs us is a sham separation, by which, whilst each province will attain large independent powers of Government, and will become more completely emancipated from any controlling authority, it will retain at the same time full power to involve its neighbors in the consequences of its Government or misgovernment. . . . We should much prefer to see the provin-

cial system abandoned rather than that the present state of things should continue, and the only doubt on our minds is whether it would be better for the colony to come at once to the state at which it must arrive at last, or living under one Government, or whether it would be desirable first to pass through a period of ultra-Provincial government. But the point of most immediate importance is this—better far to give up the Provincial Governments at once than to live under a system by which each partner in the concern shall have power to involve the rest to any extent he pleases, whilst the rest have no control over his speculations. That is the present dangy.