REVIEW. THE PROVINCES AND THE BUDGET OF RETRENCHMENT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4407, 29 September 1871, Page 3

REVIEW. THE PROVINCES AND THE BUDGET OF RETRENCHMENT.

We liave received a copy of an anonymous pamphlet, entitled "The Provinces and the Budget of Retrenchment. " It is written in defence of provincial institutions, and issued as a protest against their absorption by the General Government. Statistics are largely quoted to show that the expense of the provincial departments has been very much smaller in proportion to the sum administered than the departmental expenditure of the General Government as compared wit^ the colonial revenue. It also <y at i ea . voura to prove that the money expended by the Provincial Government' has been absorbed by useful and ro. prof i uct i ye works, while under the general administration large smr aS are lavished in salaries without any adequate return. In the figures quoted, the Comparisons made, and the line of argument followed, there is a very great similarity foetween the pamphlet and the address recently delivcied by Mr. Lusk, Provincial Secretary, to his constituents, which was reported by the "Auckland journals on the day following its delivery. Great care las apparently been taken in compiling the figures, and had they been more impartially used a not inconsiderable amount of useful information might have been disseminated. There is throughout the brochure a straining to disprove the justice of a position which, so far as we are aware, it has never been attempted to maintain. We freely join issue with the writer in his opinion that provincial institutions in Auckland have been worked as economically ai their cumbrous machinery could possibly bo worked, but in no way does this, affect the general principle enunciated in the Financial Statement, namely, that if, by colonial measures, the provinces are relieved of immigration, public works, and many of the other matters which have previously been left to their administration, so their revenue and powers should be diminished in proportion. It matters but little how moderate the expenditure upon the eight Provincial Councils, the eight Superintendents, the eight Executives, and the attending clerks, may be — and, indeed, we are not prepared to dispute the assertion, looking at the figures given in the pamphlet, that such a weight of wisdom is purchased cheaply — but when it is considered that these eight Assemblies are engaged in legislating for the provincial operation of measures which should and could as well be provided for the whole of the colony by one general enactment, then it must be admitted that even the small sum ■expended in affording scope for the ebullition of_ local oratory is misapplied, and might with profit be saved. The necessary vent for the escape of superfluous eloquence could be afforded in unpaid local boards. The writer of the pamphlet takes a dark and dismal view of the future. He sees nothing 'but the commencement of a system of wild extravagance, ending in hopeless insolvency. The friendly shelter of the Provincial cloak he deems to be the only haven of safety from the coming storm. His views represent those of a class which is now, happily for New Zealand, diminishing in numbers aud influence. The pamphlet is pregnant with the old provincial jealousies, which, indifferent to the general welfare and advancement of the colony, regard the local expenditure of a few pounds as its summum bonurn. While deploring the proposed changes in provincialism d,s the harbinger of colonial insolvency, the writer fails to show in what way provincial institutions are or have ever been responsible to the public creditor, or how they could, even if maintained, meet any deficiency which might occur through colonial mismanagement and extravagance. In the pamphlet a great deal of matter altogether beside the question has been imported. In order to judge the subject fairly it is necessary to clear the mind of this, and to do so it is only requisite to regai d from an Auckland standpoint the effect of the Treasurer's proposals. The wuter of the pamphlet does not overestimate the influence which will be exerted on Provincialism as it now exists. The money committed to the Provincial Governments will be so seriously decreased as to render their ultimate extinction only a matter of time. But the districts throughout the province will be consideiably and immediately benefited. The apportionment of Auckland's share of the £100, 000 grant to Highway Boards will, we venture to predict with all duo respect to our worthy Provincial Councillors, <lo moie to open up communication between the vanous out-settlements and will afford much more general sa/fcisf action than double the amount placed to the credit of the Provincial Government for appropriation, to be quarrelled over, and ultimately distributed hi Ura;est proportion to the district which — by the loudness of its clamour — brings the strongest pressure to bear on the Council. The capitation allowance to the provinces will be amply sufficient to defray the expense of the set vices imposed upon them, aud although, .is compiled with last year, the provinces are losers, they will, as compared with the year before last, be gainers to the extent of nearly £29,000 irrespective of the immigration expenditure. It is clear that, however much the Treasurer's proposals may affect the provinces as represented by Provincial Executives and Councils, the settlers themselves will be great gainers, and although provincial statesmen may look with regiet upon the withdrawal of the bait which has hitherto rendered the provincial battle of the ins and outs so attractive, the public will have no reason to regret the change. Altogether apart from the results of the Government policy, it must be- admitted that the time could not under any circumstances be far distant when the action taken by the General Legislature would have neutralised the usefulness of Proviucial Councils. With a colonial Education A.ct, a general licensing law, the police handed over to the city authorities, and in fact the whole of the leading public -services provided for by colonial enactment, it is difficult to conceive what the Councils would occupy themselves with, aud their annual sessions for the discussion of some minor law for the regulation of the landing of sheep, or other equally impo tant matters, would soon bring the whole system into contempt. No politician will deny the justice of the assertion that provincial institutions must either be granted larger powers than they have for some yeais past possessed — must, in fact, be made in many respects independent of the legislation of the General Assembly — or they will ultimately become a mere representative farce. The approach of the period in the existence of provincialism indicated is contemplated and provided for in the measures of the Ministry, and events will probably show that the position has been recognised by even the most thorough provincialists, and that the remedy proposed has been gladly accepted. Whatever the writer's opinions may be regarding the utility of provincial institutions, he steps altogether beyond the limits of fair criticism in imputing unworthy motives to his political opponents. In accusing the Government of political dishonesty, he displays a narrowness of mind which well accords with the other views expressed in the effusion. Unable to recognise in the growing importance of the colony the necessity for an unwavering confidence on the part of the Government in the resources and capabilities of the country, and the essentialness .of a proportionately liberal expenditure for the maintenance of public services and the prosecution of public works ; overwhelmed with a senfee of the importance of his own little Pedlington, and horror-stricken at the reckless treatment of old-fogeyism and oldfogey notions which the Financial Statement displays, the writer of the pamphlet, where argument fails, has recourse to abuse, and imputes motives which are worthy alone of, and applicable only to, the mind that conceived them. It ii carious to notice that, while confederation aud co-operation ara beooming almost ftt Wfttthwora in older tod wealthier

countries, not excepting more impoitant colonies than New Zealand— as instance Canada— a petty spirit of provincial jealousy should present itself ia New Zealand in opposition to broad and general principles. The centralising of Government is treate I in the pamphlet as though it were a new untried theory, while the fact remains indisputable that Now Zealand even amongst colonies forma the exception in the cumbrousness of its administration. If the colony desires to maintain a good position in the English money market, it must cast off provincial jealousies, and unite in some permanent general policy, having the support of all quarters of the colony. What that policy is to 00 the representatives of the people doubtless decide during this session of the Assembly.