JOTTINGS FROM THE NORTH.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 368, 28 November 1876, Page 7

JOTTINGS FROM THE NORTH.

(Held over from our last.) At last the Session is over, and Abolition is to have full swing. The borrowing clauses of the Counties Bill had a narrow squeak in the Upper House ; so, also, had the "Waste Lands Bill. So far as the Counties Bill is concerned, borrowing powers sufficient were wrung from the Lords; but deferred payments met strenuous opposition, and if it had not been for the firm front shown by tie Lower House, this method of settlement that has been so successful all over the colonies were a thing of the past. Your member (Mr Pyke) did good service on this debate, and with others succeded in retaining the portion that exists in the present Provincial Ordinances.

The Gold Duty Bill fell through, but as the duty will be spent by the Counties it is not a matter of much importance. It is very clear now that the Land Laws will create a stern fight next session. Education has been left pretty much in the same state as before. There will be no change in Otago, but the taxes and capitations of Marlborough, Nelson and Auckland are abolished,, the additional cost being borne by the consolidated revenue. Auckland, however, gets,a special grant of £14,000 for school buildings, which it very much requires. The negociations that will give the North ten million acres of additional land are nearly com* Seeing that there is no deferred payment, you can easily imagine how the greater part of this land will go under a run-holding-supported Ministry. The Canterbury members fought hard for the squatters, but like the other party they must wait till next session. The present Ministry will either have to take up this question on a liberal basis or go out. As I told your readers some time ago, the working of the Counties Act and the enquiring spirit that will be developed on ways and maans, as well the influence these boards will have on the members, will make the Central Government powerless to resist the demands of the people. These demands were frittered away on Provincial Councils, but now they will be used as united pressure on the central administration. So far as general legislation is concerned, a New Zealand instead of a Provincial feeling will to a certain extent be evolved, but no matter in what light it is viewed the richer provinces must contribute to the poorer. V I see Mr Macandrew is trying to raise the steam of rebellion ; he will find the Saxon—Scotch or English—a difficult material to get up to white heat. Nothing but hunger will do it. If 'he had an Irish or Highland population now to work upon, there would .be no saying but he might yet become king of Otago. I [ must say I have a lurking sympathy with rebellion ; but! I fear the day is gone past when-' people would fight. for deposed Superin-' tendents. If the Dunedin had shown anything like justice to' the outlying districts, the people of Otago would have something worth retaining or fighting for, had they felt inclined, but the Separation Bill, if carried, would have made matters ten times worse.

I see by your paper that there is still some grumbling at Mr Pyke in your district. Now I never spoke a word to your member in ray life and never expect to do so, yet I must say he deserves a kindly welcome in your district for the stand he has taken both on Separation arid the ikrids Bill. ''■ Had the former keen carried as introduced the" central districts of Otago, Duhstan and Wakatipu, miftht jas'fc as well get blotted out of the map, a© far as legislative recognition.is cori r cerned. It would ~be a splendid- thing for the large towns of the South Island; but there the benefits would end. It is to be lioped that this great change, which is in reality a revolution, will make the people take a real interest in politics, and cause them to appreciate thei benefits of Home Rule, and, what is of more importance, make them deserving of it. The greediness of Dttnedin, and the character of many of the members returned, the ridiculous playing at the form of the British Parliament, as well as the general apathy, proved that the mass of our colonists had greater political privileges than they knew how to use. It is to-be hoped that the last session of Parliament has •created so much attention and discussion, as will make a permanent impression on. our population, for they may rest assured that the battle of New Zealand politics is only begun. ;.,;■< ■>»;",. '•'•'■;. " :: .