Lyttelton.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 1371, 22 September 1858, Page 3

Lyttelton.

(From the Lyttelton Tii:i-s, September, 11.) Centralistr. and Provincialism:—these appear to be the antagonistic war-cries under which New Zealand politicians arc ranging themselves against each other on almost every question of importance. It is to be feared that in each succeeding session—unless we are prepared to take a more practical view of the political necessities of the colony—these warcries will become louder, and the division between the ablest men in New Zealand will grow wider and wider. After all, the names “ Centralist” and “Provincialist” do not in most cases give a truer impression than party nick-names generally convey. “Centralism.” properly so called, is repugnant to all the political instincts of Englishmen. “ Provincialism" is ru repugnant to their educated sympathies. Many of those who are called or erroneously call themselves Centralists are truer friends of local self-govern-ment than many of the defenders of “ Provincialism,” while some who find themselves classed under the name of Provincialisls have the most profound contempt for the assumption and local tyranny that have distinguished one or two ofoui little centralisins. We are at present in a very anomalous position. How'we have been so placed is not now the question, but how we are to use it practically to the best advantage. We colonists hate, as Englishmen have ever hated, fine-spun well balanced political theories ; but still more hateful to the Anglo-Saxon is a logical deduction from a paper theory. This is the only sufficient reason that occurs to us for the uncertain way in which the several provinces and individual members from the provinces have looked upon different measures which affect the relations between the General and the Provincial Governments. And any Government jliat wishes to succeed must respect the anxiety to prefo;. practical good to theoretical uniformity. We have no doubt but that the interests of the colony practically considered must gradually lead to the union of the whole under one Government ; but this consummation will not be attained by interfering with any local Governments now established in matters ill which they are the-best judges and the best operators. It is not wise, either for the good Of the colony or for the stability of his Ministry,-that great Mr. Secretary Stafford should contemptuously pooh-pooh the Governments .dire of which little king Stafford initiated irijhe most florid cockcd-hat-and-fea-thers style j Nor on the other band is it right that Her Majesty's lieges should be in fear lest the magnates of the “Empire City” should declare war against the rest of New Zealand, or vilify ever&pponent till he succumbs or leaves liis owii province in disgust. • A judigdus GenerSl Government might .manage ugthers now very well. Our Represen- ! tatives liiti-p been throughout tbe Session most foi'beartnff'v ministers have had every opportunity Of'.guitiating their policy ; they have taken votes- lor two years, so that they have an ' of giving it u fair trial; let us only '’hope'tWgthey may show' judgment. They ’have sltowjr ability and industry ; but towards the end; ot the Session they got a broad hint > ■ too much upon the patience of s the It lies with them to prove to us ’ next two years that the changes ' tjfifrdh.tto®'',institutions are not injurious ; and ' Ithis'cffigpiily be done by a wise discretion ’in thoiffie of the powers entrusted to them.