Untitled

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 60, 19 May 1868, Page 3

FINANCIAL REFOKM. To the Editoii ov the 'Nelson Examiner.' Sir — A dangor which was to somo extent foreseen, sooms now on tho cvo of being realized in tho matter of Financial Reform. Tho majority of tho reformers regard tho General Government as tho chief oflbndcr as respects extravaganco in tho nialtor of administration ; and that Provincial Governments aro comparatively innocent in this respect. Many of thoso who have given in their adhcrenco to tho Financial Reform movement, look upon the abolition of tho present Provincial Governments as tho chief moans of effecting economy. Thoso who, from porsonal interests, indolence, timidity, or other motives, dislike tho Financial Reform movement, will, during tho next session of tho Gonoral Assembly, be apt to uso tho two partios of roformors against each other, in tho hope that tho result will resemble the fato of tho Kilkenny cats, so famous in legend. That roformors should, for tho prcsonfc at least, sink their differences and agrco upon a common course and aim, scorns to bo tho reasonable plan for averting tho threatened dangor, and attaining speedily an instalment, at least, of what both sections profess to desire, namely, reduction of taxation and of tho cost of Government. Even if it wero proven that tho abolition of the present Provincial Institutions would advance Financial Reform, no 0110 supposes that such abolition can bo effected suddenly or Boon throughout the colony — not ovon if ono section of the Reformers Bhouhi, next SDSsion, join with the onomioa of Reform in tho attempt. While- thcro is a diirerenco of opinion as to comparative faultiness, all Reformers aro agreed that the General Government of Now Zealand has become too costly— too complicated in its arrangements, damaged by circumlocution, swathed in red tape, neither so ornamontal nor useful, that a simpler and less costly substitute is not worth struggling hard for. Moro especially as theTo are British colonies Vrhoro such simple, cilioient, and economical Governmental arrangements aro to bo seen in full operation. Tho folly of putting tho cart before tho horse is proverbial ; tho question in tho present case is, Which is tho cart and which tho horse? At all events, if Financial Roformors will agreo to take tho Gonoral Government first in hand (as if it wero tho horse), and purge it of costly abuses in its system, &c, &c. — if, afterwards, tho Provincial Governments aro to bo abolished— tho additional business which "will then devolve on tho General Government may bo oxpectcd to bo better and more cheaply conducted than previous to such purgation. I am, &c, Nolson, May 18. Economist.