CENTRALISM OR PROVINCIALISM!

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 163, 13 March 1869, Page 5

CENTRALISM OR PROVINCIALISM!

WHAT IS TO BE MARLBOROUGH’S FATE?

We have been exceedingly edified by the perusal of an article in the Dunedin Sun, the reputed organ of the Provincial party. The reproduction of more than a portion of it would occupy more space than we can spare, and we have little to lay at present in reference to it, beyond remarking that while Mr. Fox spoke of the Provinces, he always excepted Marlborough, and the others ci’eated under the New Provinces Act, as illegitimates. So does Mr. Yogetf in the article now alluded to ; while the Ministry “ left us out of the reckoning” last Session, when proposing to give Nelson and Wellington large sums as compensation, after sanctioning their swallowing of Marlborough’s revenue. We know too, that the Centralist party, intent on securing the Governing power, are seeking to attain that object by cutting up what are now, say ten Provinces, into an indefinite number of lesser ones under another name, and under the guise of Local Self-Government, throw redicule upon the existing system, instead of perfecting it by granting justice, and remedying acknowledged abuses ; and while retaining the real power in the hands of the Government, gradually undermine it, intending ultimately by a sudden reaction to secure their object. On the other hand the Provincialist party propose a more gradual absorption, and annexation, until the two islands become each a single Province with a Federal Uuion between them. The writer says— , :

•• A stronger argument against the Centralists *■- need scarcely be raised than that of the treachery and deceit of their policy. Whilst they urge the necessity, both on the score of economy and good administration, for a strong Central Government, they do all they can to increase the number of Governments They are opposed to that approach to Centralisation, which obviously would be no less for the benefit of the Colony, as a whole, than for the immediate Provinces concerned. Taranaki, Marlborovgh, and Southland ought to be annexed to their respective neighbors , and thus, at one stroke, a third of the Provinces be abandoned. Surely if the Centralists were—we will not say honest —but possessed of a notion that honesty was at all a laudable quality, they would give support to a measure which would at once make six Provinces out of nine. But the Centralists care little for either the substance or the shadow of political honesty. They would ride over the ruins of the Colony, to attain to ultimate sway, and meanwhile they regarded the Provincelets as convenient outlets for patronage, and for the organisation of political support. But on the other side, there is at any rate security, and it is to be hoped that no fear of the storm in the teapot which will be raised will deter the Provincialists from decreeing the absorption of Southland, Marlborough, and Taranaki. Even were the people of these Provinces averse to such a step, much might be said in its favor. The Provinces which cease to be able to take care of themselves, owe it to the colony to join other Provinces able to take care of them. It is no part of the Provincial system that one Province should be made a drag upon all the rest. When this comes about it is time to recognise that the Province, in such a position, should be annexed to some other Province able to save the rest of the Provinces from the burthen. Take Taranaki for instance- this Province has cost the Colony and the Imperial Government millions. The war there commenced about a stupid question of Maori King jurisdiction, which the Government are now willing enough to recognise if it be

exerted only as they desire. The cost of all that has sprung out of the war, would have sufficed to buy Taranaki outright, and to have made rich men orevery one of its settlers. “ Marlboi’ough again, is an astonishing instance of what selfishness in another shape may do, and of how, out of mere indifference to results it may be tolerated. The settlers there deliberately gave themselves the lauds for less than their value, and now refuse to pay the cost of Government. Their own money they spent in increasing the value of their purchases. A more flagrant example of selfish colonisation has never been known.

“In respect to Southland, it is sufficient to say it was a mistake ever to have separated it from Otago. A great loss has already accrued, and the settlers are beginning to be aware of it. A large majority of them are anxious to see Southland re-annexed. The opposition to such a step comes almost wholly from the chief town. Otago would not be a direct pecuniary gainer, but it would gain in this way—that it would save Southland from being a public burden, a portion of the cost of which it has to contribute. It would gain also in the larger powers that would attach to it. Southland and Otago together could do much, which separately they are unable to effect.”