The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1884.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7414, 3 December 1884, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1884.

Of all the reforms that are difficult to secure. Decentralisation is in the nature of things one of the most difficult. The reason for this—one of the chief reasons, at any rate—is that the reform must come from the very power which is itself to be reformed. Centralism itself must decentralise. The Government in Wellington which has so long held all the reins of administration in its hands must consent to resign some of its functions; must voluntarily hand them over to other governing powers; must constitute these powers; must determine what functions it will surrender, and how and when it will surrender them ; in short, must he the instrument of its own partial dismemberment; the undertaker to arrange its own funeral. We know that despotic monarch* are, as a rule, not too anxious to grant constitutions to their subjects. King John did not sign Magna Charta with cheerful alacrity, nor appear afterwards to recall wfaat he hid done with entire complacency. If wo remember rightly, he is describeJ as rolling on the floor of his palace, foaming at the mouth,’ tearing Ids hair, and uttering frightful curses, lu ynodern days kings have granted constitutions, hut generally under circumstances analogous to those which induce a reluctant bankrupt to “discoverI'’ 1 '’ property to his creditors’ trustee. And as kings lire hut men after all, and resemble ordinary mortals in most respects, to men, who though untitled, are clothed with office and \ dressed in authority, however little and brief, have about them at least the one kingly attribute of reluctance to part with" jwwer. This i» hut natural Few men of any capacity who are charged with the jwrfornmnee of duties doubt their own ability to tierfcnii them quite as well, if not better, than other pimple. Thusitcomes j about that the authorities for the time being in Wellington, legislative as well as executive, backed up by the immense influence of the Civil Service, as well as by public opinion in Wellington itself, are naturally Indisposed to decentralise. They are not likely to be ahead of public hading throughout the Colony on the point at any rate. To induce them to move in the mailer, a certain amount of pressure from the outside will, at all times, bo desirable. Pflder tome conditions even a considerable amount of such pressure will not be likely to move the central government. Tim Atkinson Administration, for instance, was not only central but centrifugal It went on yew after year «ai»U»ing more and more, concentrating all we Colony • business In Wellington m far m was physically possible, and living M imich of the remainder undone as could be warlectod without provoking something Uke % revolution. Such a ’ Government, headed by me® of such 1 plastic and ooemsiraodating tempera os 1 those of Messrs Atkinson, Bryoe, and

Kollwiton. was liar.Hr likolr to pav ntU'hti.m u np{H*als from the South and North of New Zealand. Wooshed f.»r Homo Utile ; they gave us the (toads and Bridges Act. Wo l*'gged for }H*wor to despatch pressing ami iipjilotol local : they ;U . I'ldo.l US ft IV w living Ministerial vims*. We cried for funds; theyi proceeded to appease os with Hating, Av fa. In the I lons.' of UepresentoiJ lives (ho Jm'tvl government cry wo« politolv (or impolitely) laughed ttl.l It Imho mo ono of the ftcktinwledgedl (tores of the House, like certain peliJ lions. It was spoken of mu eh as llnl wrongs of Ireland used to Is’ in thJ good old days of Toryism, when lri*b| men were sup|*osed to Iw discontented because they were a lar.y. improvident. race,’ whirl) preferred shooting landlords to paying rent or doing an honest day’s work. A spreeh on loeal government was as sure a way of emptying tho House as the dinner hell or an Indian dobato used to Vin tho Commons. Ono Cabinet Minister, reading a novel Ciiblv, would remain to confront tho or of tho Opposition, who, with a few faithful henchmen, sat yawning on the honchos on Mr Speaker’s left hand. Far down in tho hotly of tho House. Sir George Grey, supported l*V Mr Tolo and Major Harris, would sft—an oasis of attention in tho desort of empty cross honchos. Occasionally his ’distinct tones would arouse’tho drooping faculties of those present, by that cheerful reminder to the orator of tho hour, “We can’t hoar!” Meantime, outside, lawn tennis would ho in full swing, and at night time halls and wbistjpartios would be largely recruited from the ranks of our legislators. During local government debates, also, tho revenue of Bellamy's became what statists call “ elastic,” advancing in proportion to tho length of the speeches. Next morning the sublimely contemptuous articles in tho Wellington newspapers made truly delightful mailing. Decentralisation in these lucubrations would be referred to os the “ wretched ghost," the “ dry hones," the " ashes,” or “ dust ” of a " dead and buried Provincialism whereat Wellington readers would smile approvingly. Such have been tho conditions under which a certain number of members, prominent among them Messrs Ormond, Pyko, Montgomery, and Maeaudrew have had to carry on the war of Decontralism. No# certainly, things have so Car changed for the bettor that the position is not utterly and hopelessly discouraging. For the first time since 1871 a Government is in office which is distinctly pledged to Decentralise, Moreover, "we honestly think that a majority of the present Cabinet’s members are personally agreeable, and some even anxious, to fulfil their pledge. Messrs Stout and Reynolds are Decentralists by conviction and inclination. Sir Julius Vogel is far too clear-sighted not to see what he has more than once admitted, that the local system, which was to replace the abolished Provinces, has been most unwisely delayed. Short as his present stay in New Zealand has been, it soon showed him that this delay has led to unbearable friction and confusion. Mr Ballon ce may be expected, to follow Mr Stout, and Mr Richardson to agree with Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Tola’s vote has been given for decentralist resolutions before now, nor is there any reason to suppose that be has changed sides on the question. We think, therefore, that we may fairly look to tho present Cabinet for something more substantial in tho way of concessions to demands for the local management of local affaire than Roads and Bridges Acts, inattention, or downright insult. The leaders in tho Ministry know that in any reasonable scheme of local selfgovernment, they may reckon on tho support of Messrs Ormond and Montgomery, and, if consistency go for anything, of Sir George Grey also. An immense majority of tho electors in all districts, except those bordering on Cook Strait, will favour such a measure. Even in Wellington, there are men sensible enough to see that Decentmlism is tho best and only effective antidote for separation. We see no reason why the Cabinet should hesitate to formulate and introduce next session this long-deferred, much needed reform. Ministers are morally bound to do this, and, moreover, need run no risk in doing it, as they have promised.