Hawkes Bay Herald SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1867. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 865, 10 August 1867, Page 2

Hawkes Bay Herald SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1867. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

In other columns we reprint the preliminary debate upon the Local Government Bill of the present ministry, which is now before the House of Representatives j also an article from the Advertiser upon the same subject j which will serve to enlighten our readers upon the principles of the measure. A Bill so gigantic in its proportions and so multifarious in its provisions as the one before us, cannot be dealt with iv a few paragraphs, and we do not purpose attempting it. Prom a cursory perusal of it, however, we are disposed to think favorably of the spirit in which it has been framed. Being opposed to centralism in any shape, we gladly hail an effort to organise Road Boards throughout the interior of the colony, and to foster and assist the same by guaranteeing not only a share of the land fund of the particular province in which they are situated, but a contribution pro rata from the Colonial Treasury. This will do much towards opening up the country. Such a district, for instance, as Meanee, in this province, could come under the new Act with great advantage to itself. Its settlers require a certain expenditure to secure themselves against the devastation of another flood ; and any rates they might contribute for this purpose would be so largely supplemented from other sources that the burden would fall but lightly upon their shoulders. No doubt there is Some force in the objection tha,t the operation of this Bill and of its twin, the Municipalities Bill, would limit the power and restrict the sphere of action of Provincial Governments ; but we are not of those who desire to see New

Zedaniprpvincll- Averted ifito^riW^ cipalities ; . ' a^a ; sh^ul<i lo.pt tl^^;it?wr^3^ misfortune -^ere^^^grad^lp^ superseded J>y a ani form of local government. : v ;V; We, scarcely expect th^t the I^t ;^ Government BillrwiU becbme>;iaoibis^ session. The ultra-prbvincialiits^are against it to a raanj ment supporters seemto^anturiaiiimiiy ' ; upon some of its provisions. Should it pass, notwithstandiug the difficulties iv the way, it will be a most' important '■■• addition to the statute book.