SUMMARY FOR EUROPE

Marlborough Press, Volume IX, Issue 594, 3 June 1868, Page 2

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE

POLITICS. Polities have 1 een our main stiring point since our last summary. We then notified that it was likely that Mr W. Adams would resign his seat in the House of Assembly for the Picton District, which lias since been verified by the receipt of the official notification to that effect, and mi appointment for a nomination of candidates for the said seat, to take place on Thursday, the Util instant. The three candidates mentioned in our last are still in the field for election, viz., Capt. Kenny,Dr Siekicr, and Mr John Godfrey ; and these three gentlemen have since addressed the electors. Capt. Kenny addressed them on the 20th May, and the following is a summary of the views held by that gentleman, as exposed at the meeting:—Provincialism, as existing, lie was opposed to, and was in favor of a change which would give New Zealand national government efficient and economical, charged with the administration of purely local concerns. In the matter of taxation, he thought Customs Duties ad valorem were preferable. In theory lie believed in an Income Tax, and would advocate it, if machinery could he made for its proper working. lie was also in favor of an acreage tax. Retrenchment was absolutely necessary, and no policy should have his support which did not make economy its foundation stone. Mr John Godfrey also addressed the electors at this meeting, but his views in no way materially differed from those of Capt. Kenny. Dr Sielder gave liis address on Friday, the 29th ult., and a report of it will be found in another column. To the non-utility of government by the provincial system he was fully alive to, and was in favor of government by Municipal Councils. In the question of taxation lie agreed with the other two candidates. Education, lie said, should lie made compulsory, and should have nothing to do with tlie Government, but be under the direction of a Central Board. Vote by ballot lie thought was greatly necessary in the colony, and would tend to a necessarily greater freedom in voting. The establishment of a Government Bank, similar to the National Bank of England, he thought would lie beneficial to the colony. On all main points the three candidates do not materially differ.

The Assembly is expected to meet the latter part of this or the beginning of next month, and promises to tie the most important session ever yet held, and, certainly, the action taken at this meeting will for ever affect the future of the colony. Provincialism as opposed to Centralism, and the question of Taxation, will be two of the most important items brought forward. Provincialism, as we have repeatedly expressed ourselves. must come to an end; and Taxation must he lessened, or levied in such a manner that it will affect all classes equitably. It is through the maintenance of the former that we are now weltering under the burthen of the latter ; and any measure to lessen the existing taxation of the colony will be greedily swallowed by the populace. It will thus he seen that, in those districts were elections are necessary, it behoves electors to be careful in the selection of members ; and we would again counsel them to call upon their representatives for tin expression of their views on the many vexatious questions of the day. Mr Fox is now likely to obtain a seat in the House, Mr Watt of Rnngitikei having resigned in his favor. Mr Fox’s appearance in the House will be of the greatest moment to the provineialist party, for him they look forward to to be the leader of their section. Mr Watt was not at

first inclined to resign, hut a little flattery and “ soft soap ” has apparently altered that gentleman’s intentions. During the early part of the month Mr Stafford delivered an address at Nelson to his constituents, and his speech has since been fearfully hacked and torn to pieces by the Canterbury and Wellington papers. Mr Stafford, we are. of opinion, is more sinned against than sinning, and is undoubtedly worthy of as much praise as blame, though nothing but blame lias been accorded him. However, no man, be he ever so clever or experienced, need hope to take the position of Premier of New Zealand without receiving similar treatment to that experienced by Mr Stafford. It is simply an impossibility to please, and ever will be, even to a moderate extent, the populaceof the colony of New Zealand, whilst she remains under the present provincial system of government, for like tad-tempered and quarrelsome children, if one province receives an apparent favor, the others are sure to grow 1. Matters politically and financially in our own province can be summed up in a very few words, and we are now certainly worse than in a moribund condition, for, if report he true, and there is little doubt of it, the affairs of the Province have come to a dead-loek. the General Government having impounded the whole of our large revenue, in order to pay a debt, due by us to the Nelson Government, of <£7,500, and which becomes due on the Ist of July next. Few will, we think, regret the turn affairs have taken. A movement is on foot, and a petition has been drafted, petitioning the General Assembly to separate the Electoral District of Picton from the Province of Marlborough, and to constitute if into a county. Our leading 1 article touches on this subject. A public meeting, it will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, has been called for Friday next, when the petition will be submitted for approval. Wellington is in trouble, and has got her fingers burnt with provincialism, a falling short of £30,530 having occurred in her last year’s revenue, and £12.000 has been expended more than was received ; and the estimated expenditure over estimated revenue for the current year amounts to £1,390 —the actual sum to be made up being £13,390.