Occasional Notes.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 37, 25 March 1875, Page 3

Occasional Notes.

I am glad to see it r stated that there is a I report that no decisive action is likely to be taken during the forthcoming session of i the Assembly as regards , constitutional changes. There is room for a considerable amount of diversity of opinion on the subject af the abolition of tbe Provinces, and though it must be admitted that public opinion, as far as it -has found expression, seems to be in favor of the . change, yet probably many people, composing a considerable section of the community, feel doubtful as to whether such change at once Would be beneficial or prejudicial to the welfare of the country. Under these circumstances it would seem to be well that the subject should be, as the expression is, further ventilated. Possibly at the commencement of the session succeeding the approaching one we shall be no better able to make up our minds relative to the abolition of Provinces than we are now ; still; it is also not improbable that we may then see our way rather clearer than we do at present. There certainly appears to be no absolute necessity for an immediate change ; though some of the Northern Provinces appear to be in a very destitute condition, they will probably he able to carry on for another session or two. No doubt much maybe said on both sides of this important subject at present on the carpet. The existence of a number of separate Spates and little Parliaments is apt to have a disintegrating effect on the Colony through the engendering of feelings of local jealously, and at times interferes with the carrying out of large measures of public utility, so endangering, the sacrifice of the welfare of the Colony to local necessities and prejudices.- It is no wonder that a great schemer like Mr Yogel, whose inventive genius is ever pregnant with great proposals of more or less utility and practicability, should get out of patience when he finds^ his actions constantly hampered by Provincial opposition, claims and requisitions. Though the -present Premier, more than any former one, has probably experienced dissatisfaction" of this sort, yet probably Mr Stafford, judging from hi endeavour to initiate the County system, also felt that: General Government action was hampered by the existence of Provincial Governments, and probably any energetic Prime Minister of New Zealand would experience more or less nf the same feeling. . As regards outlying districts) of Provinces, it is possible, though by no means certain, that they would fare better and progress quicker under General Go--yernment than under Provincial Government rule. Undoubtedly such districts' would- have more • individuality under General Government rule. Thus it would seem as if the Clutha district, as a County of New ' Zealand, 'would be in *a y more important position than she is in at present as merely a district in the Province of Otago. Yet it mtfsthe borne:ln mind t v at by this sort of subdivision of rule we cannot eradicate localf jealousy. j Probably^ the, Clotha were formed' into a "Co^nty^; pomplaihts would be rife 'that the County Board appropriated a lion's share of the' County fund for the benefit of one locality;, at thevexpense of the trest: of' tlie \C*ounty, and the people of some localities/ might think they were better-under Provincial Government rule than County. Bard rule. The .doing: away with Provincial Governments, besides involving the devolition in the General' Government of » large in-v crease of. power, would necessitate the* taking upon itself by that of an 1 immense amount of additional Work,' and; it iscertainly a question whether^ such ; work as is now being done by Provincial 'Governments would be done as effifeientfy and inexpensively by the General Government. Before we absolutely abolish, Pro.- . jvincial Governments, it would be' well J tb' ; maturely cdhsrder -Whether ' •or < not jj; 'is icolonisiog agencies, they have , become , utteriy_ worthless. ._ There Jj^one^subje^ jwhich oertainly requires farthericonsideration and 'elucidation* and 'tba't 19 tlie form of constitution wfiiidh stall supplant the abolition, of ProvinclarrG^oyerninenta^ I. do not has' 1 is yet- a|y|; thing like a definite idea of. what is to. sup^ ip!aht : 'the preiserit system. ' It'selenil? 'ex-' tremely : undesirable; ,: as" proposed^; mere government non^ees^ouldbe' sub-^ stituted for . Superintendents, elected Jby the people; ■ Bir ; hto f |»r^se'd-'t6' : | endow the newlyi constituted 'districts or i counties with " Bubstantialmcomes.^cThese j" substantiar incdmc«i ,, I 'rather suspect, dhiy^iet' m'Mr^Vb^l'sfm^ or in nubibus^ O l%BSs.e :] <it .they. «re^rather a iremote cohtingency^-Jt- does not appear i clear why a mere change of the constitution jhonld ;Batis^;the/:i^ for ; funds forplocal^works which arellafc present "being J nkade ' ' by 0 i We'i2_saore u impecunious jfor both. great arterial Works and local {works also which is the origin -^f^he 7 present stir for 'a'change'.v: MrliVbget^has first starved some of the Provinces^ and then made the state of inanity Jo. which such Provinces have been red^eo* by starvation an excuse- for knocking them on the)he-db&'^ "nn"jM Jo »*?otf*-»T» **)$i& < 1