The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 761, 17 November 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1876.

"Beneath the ride of men entirely 'just lhe pen is mightier than the sword.

So tlio farco of the Convention has been, played out, and all the tall talk of the extreme Provincial party'has only made them more ridiculous in the eyes of the public. The idea of creating Otago a separate and independent colony is simply absurd, and the British. Government are not at all, likely to listen to Such a proposal.' True, there are colonies whose customs revenue does not come up to that ot the 1 Province of Otago, but that is no reason why it should be from the present dependency. The precedent would be a very bad one, as it -is impossible to say when this severing of allegiance would end; the result from so bad an example would probably be the disruption of all the British colonies wherever a grievance or a supposed one existed. The motion which was carried that Sir George Grey, Mr Macapdrew, and the Hon, Captain Fraser visit England for the purpose of laying before the Queen the grievances of the people of Otago is never likely to be given effect to. In the first place we have only to ask where the money for this quixotic expedition is to come from ; it would most assuredly require to be supplied by themselves, or their more immediate friends ; while, secondly, it must be clear to everybody, and circumstances prove it, that this trio do not represent public opinion in Otago, although they might during one period of their lives have been held in the highest estimation. We must own that we really feel very sorry for Sir George and Mr Macandrew, who evidently, judging from their actions of late, are verging towards that position when they will require somebody to look after them, while as to the Hon. Captfi i Fraser we are very much sur prised to find him advocating the cause of defunct Provincialism. If ever anything proved the mind of the people of Otago it was the Convention. No public movement ever proved so great a failure, it came quickly to a close, and except the promoters of the affair, it was quite clear that everybody else was ashamed of it; while, had the sitting been prolonged, Sir George Grey and Mr Macandrew would have been found having the hall entirely to themselves. The result of the Convention cannot be looked upon other than a direct expression of opinion in Otago in favor of Abolition. The Daily Times appears to hint that if pressed Mr Macandrew might accept the agency for Otago on behalf of the General Government. We really think that our contemporary must be beside himself to imagine that the General Government would appoint Mr Macandrew to such an office, holding such opinions a’, he now does, and being al most in open rebellion against the Queen, leaving the recommendation to remove his Excellency the Governor out of the matter altogether. With the turn things have taken, sttch an appointment would be distasteful to the majority of the residents in Otago, especially those in country districts, who have had enough of Provincialism, and desire as quickly as possible the inauguration of the Counties.

The “ Counties’ Act, 1876,” is now before us, some of Hie more important points of which, for the information of our readers we may as well recapitulate as containing many items worth bearing in remembrance. The limit to the number of members of the Council, including the Chairman, being nine will bring the business Within easy compass, and work should take the place of talk were the number otherwise larger. Provision . is made for an allowance to the Chairman in the shape of a salary. This is all very well, as in all probability the means of the County will not permit of it being a high one, and so introduce corruption. But what is to become of the unfortunate Councillors? Are they to travel miles away from home, and waste days upon days of their time sitting deliberating upon the affairs of the County without being paid something ? We think but few men will consent to do this; and it is most unreasonable to suppose that they will. In all fairness a Councillor is equally entitled to an allowance as the Chairman, whose higher office should he looked upon more in the shape of an honor than an emolument; at all events the difference in the amount of remuneration should not he very great. As the Municipalities will be outside of the Counties, where will the County Councils hold their meetings ? It is very clear that a considerable amount of rivalry will exist between these conflicting bodies, and it appears to us that a number of the municipal towns had better merge themselves into the County, and not only prevent confusion, but effect a great saving 'to themselves in the bargain. Although possessing an extensive acreage area most of the Counties have hut a very small population, consequently divided and conflicting interests cannot but be productive of considerable harm, while we do not possess so very many men of ability as to set them quarrelling amongst themselves. We think that this subject of merging the country municipalities into the Counties is well worthy of consideration, As

voters will be confined to outside districts, many dwellers "in boroughs, although possessing property in the countfy, not having ‘ .qualified themselves upon it, they'ire therefore Virtually disfranchised; tho number of electors will necessarily be few, and tho choice-hf men-to act as Councillors necessarily limited. The circumstance is an unfortunate one, but we must make the best of it by a careful selection 'of pitperly qualified men.