COMING TO THE POINT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2136, 25 October 1867, Page 3

COMING TO THE POINT.

10 THE EDITOR OF TIIE LTTTELTON TI.UES Sik,—l have read with some attention the various articles and letters which have appeared in your columns and those of your • contemporary the Press, on txe present position of affairs. I have given some thought to the subject also, and it appears to me that before coming to a distinct understanding the ground requires to be cleared away; a great deal of rubbish has been collected round the question, and the point at issue is becoming obscured. I assume as follows and I think 1 am warranted in doing so from what has appeared in the papers Ist. There is a class of men (call them by what name you like) who desire to see our Provincial institutions swept away. 2nd. There is another class of men (again you may gire them what name you please) who desire to retain the Bpirit and essence of our Provincial institutions, and go in for a thorough reform to meet the actual circumstances of our case. The Press, it appears to me, is the representative of (he first class. I presume you will not deny that the Lyttelton Times may be

taken as the representative of the second, -Now, Sir, having got thus far, I want to take the next step clearly and unmistakeably. In order to do this, I want to know Ist, What form of Government the Pressproposes to substitute, when our Provincial institutions are abolished ? 2udi In what essential respects will the new form of Government differ from that now in existence ? 3rd, Will the new fdrm of Government require that all the departments now in existence—such as Executive, Provincial Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary for Public Works, Survey, Engineer, Immigration. Waste Lands, &c., &c., be kept up ? 4th. If not, how is the work which they perform to he done ? sth. What will the new form of government c«Bt ? [This information especially ought, I think, to be clearly and unmistakeably given to the public,]

I ask these questions of the Press as the representative of those who wish to sweef away Provincial institutions, and I contend that lam entitled to an answer. In a word as they wish to take something away from me which I at present possess, under the pretence that they will give me something better, I wish to know, so that there can be Do mistake about it, what that something is, and what it will cost. Up to the present time the Press has given us nothing but vague generalities, which may mean anything or nothing, accordiug as after events require them to be interpreted. The only definite impression .which I have gathered from the Press is, its dread of popular elections, and its desire to see a nominated Superintendent. I gather this impression from its praise of the Westland County Bill, as being the most important measure of tLc late session. Until the Press states distinctly what it means, and what it proposes in place of the present system it has no right to disturb the public mind, I would ask your readers to bear this in mind-no distinct proposal is yet before them rom those who advocate'the abolition of Provincial institutions. I would ask them to look at the case of the Timaru and Gladstone Bill. A few local agitators got up a public commotion, which is always easy in " hard times;" they convened meetings, and talked vaguely of "getting justice to the district;" they got resolutions passed which meant only that the people had been excited into expressing dissatisfaction with the "hard times" which prevail all over the colonies. On the strength of these resolutions, the leaders in the agitation—who had their own objects in view all the time, objects which they never told the people they were exciting— went to the General Government, and explained the grievances of the people after their own fashin and to suit their own plans, The General Government, only too ready to do anything to disturb Provincial institutions, in order that they might increase their own power, assisted the agitators of the Timaru people, and a hill was passed according to their ideas. What is the result ? Why thatthe people of the Timaru district, when they come to examine this precious bill and to inquire into its probable working, find out 'hat they have been deluded by a few men whose only object is to throw Provincial institutions into confusion. These are men with aristocratic notions of Government, who dread popular elections, who turn up their noses at the bare idea of carrying out the will of humble people, and who would sacrifice everything for a despotic Government, in which, from what they look on as their high standing, they expect to form a prominent Having stated what information I want from the Press, the organ of the AbnlisUers, »is necessary that I should ask the Lyttelton Junes, as representing the Reformers, one or two questions . ' s ?' What reforms are possible in our Provincial institutions ? 2nd. To what extent would these reforms reduce the cost of Government ? le '' ier the reforms which it is possible to make would at all interfere with the power of the electors ? /•j l ' Whether, without lessening the power I the electors, a plan might be devised by v nch the ill-feeling and corruption of elec°DS > as ft present conducted, would be greatly lessened? * llave received the information mvo if • m eac '' P ar ty' 6 ' lfl " consider subject 1 P ° Bition t0 make UP my min<lon Your obedient servant, DOUBTFUL.