THURSDAY, MARCH 5.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3318, 5 March 1868, Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 5.

We perceive that the promoters of the Financial Eeform League convene apublic meeting for to-morrow evening, in the Mechanics' Institute, at which a committee is to be elected, and members enrolled. The meeting held on Tuesday last turned out a failure. Now, without wishing to place obstacles in the way of the League, (we confess we do not like the name,) it appears to us that the agitation for financial reform in this place must fail, unless it be conducted •on different principles, and in a different manner. There is a haziness about the movement which the uninitiated cannot see through. Whether the promoters themselves see through the fog of their own creation we do not pretend to say ; but if they do, they are certainly far more clearsighted politicians than the inhabitants of Auckland credit them with being. Passing by the very remarkable circumstance that the working-bees of the Financial Reform hive are closely identified,(pecuniarily so,) with the provincial system of financial extravagance, there are other points connected with the movement which we deem noteworthy. The popular element, though appealed to from the platform, and when the Is. ticket of membership is sought to be sold,is excludedfrom the management. Thewiresare pulled by economists of the provincial-official type, and the public are requested to participate in the show, by paying Is. per head to cover expenses. Supposing the League were j to succeed in its object, whatever it may be, can any sane man believe that the tax-paying public would be one penny the better on that account ? We think not. The proposal, as we understand it, is to plunder one class of officials, and distribute the plunder amongst another class, and not to lessen taxation. , lo effect this, the public voice is needed. It could not be accomplished by the unsupported efforts of the provincial clique, hence the straining [after popular support ; hence also, in degree, the mist in which the League has enveloped itself. The public, however, have shown their appreciation of the movement so far, and we are convinced will be consistent hereafter. Another noteworthy point in connection with this agitation, is the fact that its promoters do not seem capable, or if capable, do not seem willing to lay down a comprehensive colonial policy. They nibble at salaries ; are painfully elaborate on matters of detail; and overlook principles, Now, this will not do for the country. When men assume to lead the country, they ought not to leave their ability to lead in

any sense doubtful, Let us ask, in all kindness and sincerity, have the promoters of the Financial Befona moye» ment in Auckland given proof of possessing the capacity of leaders ? "We have read the reports of the speeches delivered by these gentlemen ; we have listened to some of their speeches also ; and although the fault may lie with ourselves, we did fail to recognise anything which would commend the speaker* to the public as political guides. We by no means object to financial reform. "We are consistent advocates of reform in that direction; but we do not believe in reforming our neighbours and overlooking our own affairs. This, however, is not what is proposed to be done by the Auckland League. But it must be sot about, and what is more, accomplished, if the colony is to emerge from its present depression. An agitation to this end would have our warmest support, and we are not without hope that men will be found to stand forward in the van of such a movement, who will command the respect, and deserve the confidence, jof the public. But the issues will be different from those raised by the League. These will involve a total change of system, and a reconstruction of the government of #ie country. The contest between the provincial and centralising systems' being involved, must of necessity be decided, but this will not be the only, or indeed the main, point at issue. It must be subordinate to the other and more important one^namely, how the government of the colony is ;to^ be carried on economically, the public creditor paid, and taxation lessened. It might bo possible to lessen the cost of government and yet afford no relief to the taxpayer. This, as we understand it, would be the effect of the present movement. But, the people will not be content with this. They will insist upon revising the fiscal burdens, and reconstructing the government on a cheap and efficient basis. The tariff must be altered so as to cheapen the cost of living. Taxation must be more direct; and the public burden more equally distributed than it is at present, or else the progress of the colony will be permanently arrested. We do not deem it necessary in this place to do more than indicate the financial policy which, in our judgment, ought to supersede the present system. This is neither the time nor the place to do more ; but we may as well state that no system, which does not recognise to the foil the principles of free trade and direct taxation, can be acceptable or permanently successful. Let the cost of government and the public debt be borne by direct' taxation, and declare the ports^ of New Zealand free to all nations. By doing this, the number of vessels visiting ourports would be increased a hundred-fold. Trade would revive in a proportionate degree, and the country settlers would be provided with a ready market for their produce. Such a policy, although bearing hard upon the colony for a few years would, in the end, be found to be its salvation. Settlement would be fostered and encouraged by such a fiscal system ; whereas it is now next to impossible to purchase or lease country land and occupy it with profit.