The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, NOV. 16, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 790, 16 November 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, NOV. 16, 1865.

Thk “ liesolutious as to the Relations between the General and Provincial Governments,” liid on the table of the Provincial Council yesterday, are a natural, sequel to the former resolutions on the same subject, which were so entirely disregarded by the General Government. They are evidently imbued with the same principle as Mr Macaadrew’s propositions —that is to say, thee recognise the preservation of the federal union of the provinces, but restrict the General Government to certain defined general subjects. There are, however, some points of difference in the details which may be referred to. Mr Macandrew would devolve on the General Government the functions described in the 19th section of the Constitution Act. The Resolutions presented yesterday except from the control of the General Government the postal service within the provinces, and place under its authority the ocean mail service only. Mr Macandrew’s proposals provide for an ad interim arrangement for bearing the interest and sinking fund of the Colonial debt, by making them a first charge on the revenues of the Middle Island Provinces until peace is restored in the North Island. The Resolutions do not provide in any way for the Colonial debt, but merely prppose to set apart portions of the Waste Lands of each Province as security for any advance or guarantee made on its behalf by the General Government. The principle on which it is proposed to regulate the distribution of the Customs Revenue and Ordi nary Revenue is the same in each case, viz., that after defraying the cost of administering the various departments in

each province, and the contribution of a pro rafa share of the general expense of the Colonial Government, the balance shall be handed over to the Province. It is pro posed also to place the Waste Lands of t ach Province entirely under the control of the local Legislature, with the reservation already referred to respecting security for advances or guarantees by the General Government. In view of the possible desire of two or more provinces to unite themselves under one Provincial Government, the Resolutions make provision for carrying this desire into effect “ on the decision of a majority of delegates specially nominated by the registered electors of such provinces.” It is more than probable that these Resolutions will undergo considerable alterations and modifications in the Council; and it may be found desirable to incorporate those of Mr Macandrew to a certain extent. The provision for provincial union is an attractive feature, which might be added with improvement to Mr Macaadrew’s proposals. As the -Resolutions now stand they are hardly comprehensive enough. They, however, point in the right direction, and should receive very serious consideration at the hands of the Council. Although we do not think that absolute separation of the two Islands is unattainable, the most wise and feasible scheme appears now to be that of preserving the federal union of the Provinces, but at the same time granting larger powers to the Provincial Governments and restricting those of the General Government. The true principle of “self-reliance” is to throw upon each Province the duty of managing its own affairs- No don t a reduction in the number of provinces, and consequently of the cost of Government, is desirable, but as Provincial Governments exist, it is perhaps better to provide for a possible desire to amalgamate, than to resort to the violent remedy of abolishment.