New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4182, 15 August 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1874.

There are so many collateral issnos to be raised in the discussion of the question of Provincialism, in the North Island that the debate will necessarily be of a broad and protracted character. As it unfolds itself many features will be presented that hon. members and the public had little idea were vitally connected with the desirability of the question that has arisen being definitely settled. One of these became incidentally the subject of discussion on Tuesday last. The Premier, in moving the second reading of the Immigration and Public Works Loan Bill, took occasion to explain the indebtedness of the Colony, and, as usual, was fated to listen to the croaking of some members who are unable to look at both 3ides of the public ledger at the same time. All that they can see is the debtor column; for that containing the statement of assets there is no room in what they are pleased to term their minds. The Premier, we may rest assured, has had to encounter too much incurablo dulnoss to feel annoyance whenever ho witnesses such an exhibition of it; but in his reply he took occasion to state that the persistent misrepresentations made respecting the policy of the Government, the effect of this upon thecountry, and the state of prosperityprevailing, were really very harassing and annoying. There was policy in making this admission, although it might cause temporary gladness in the camp of the enemy. No one interested in the politics of the country can fail to fully understand Mr. Yogel's allusion. There is a party, not without talent of a description that is usually of very little benefit to its posessors in the long run, most industrious in circulating calumnies respecting the Government and the Colony. This practice is, not that described by the authority on slander, to stab "wid a wink, wid a nod, wid a word, wid a shrug." but to openly say, as the Premier remarked upon a previous occasion, "Oh, Mr. Vogel is doing all he can to make the Provinces bankrupt." Tho Premier, as ho says, and as we must be assured, is as anxious for tho success of his policy, as though it were a personal matter; in fact, it is one with him. He finds that notwithstanding the substantial proofs he' was ablo to adduco in his budgot speech, of the success that is crowning his labors —proofs, so irrefragablo that thoy were

permitted to pass unchallenged—attempts are being most assiduously made to represent that his policy is a delusion, and the prosperity of the Colony is but a sham, that anyone can detect (vho has the gift of peeping beneath the surface. "Whence these insinuations come is no secret. Although the question before lion, members has been Provincialism in the North Island, they can hardly be expected to escape the error of discussing it as if Provincialism as a whole were involved. For this there is too much to be said on both sides for the matter to be introduced at the close 'of a session. What hon. members are asked to consider is whether Provincialism in the four Provinces of the North Island should be brought to an end. As the case stands we have truly " lords many," and expensive lords too. The amount fixed for Provincial salaries in this island might, it may be well argued, be subjected to a heavy reduction if amalgamation should take place. - This is certainly an important feature of the case, and one that should have every consideration. But there is another that is of more weight. Many members of Parliament are also members of Provincial Councils and Executives. It is useless to shut our eyes to the fact that Superintendents possess a power in Parliament that is utterly abnormal. No such influence was ever contemplated under the Constitution Act in either this Colony or any other. Their Executives, from a feeling of esprit de corps, and that influence which association in the transaction of important business naturally brings with it, may be counted upon to vote with them on vital questions. And there might be even worse consequences than this. Let the ease be supposed of a a Superintendent with abilities almost vulpine in their acuteness, and a Provincial Treasurer almost as lupine as his colleague is vulpine, and the mischief these two can create may be more readily imagined than calculated. Whilst members of Provincial Councils consent to sink their local dignities and offices in the performance of their Parliamentary duties, all would go on smoothly, but when they act in a dual capacity they at once became different to ordinary members of Parliament. We do not argue from this that Provincialism should be doomed, but, evidently, the issues to be thus raised aro apposite ones. Provincialism in the Colony should be weighed in the balances. As far as the Government is a judge, it should be dispensed with in the North Island. That it has advantages may be admitted, but the Government think that the disadvantages more than counterbalance these. In the Middle Island the reverse is the ca3e. There it has both its advantages and disadvantages, we doubt not; but the opinion bf the Premier and his colleagues is that the former outweigh the latter. The day may come when this may not be the case, but it has not arrived at present. There is now a very satisfactory state of things which should not be disturbed. In the North Island, things, in the opinion of the Government, aro just as unsatisfactory.

There remains, besides the collateral issues we have raised, another that cannot but be present in the minds of hon. members. They must consider whether, whilst giving their votes, they do not commit political suicide. The Government may or may not have contemplated the possibility of a dissolution, but it would be idle to affect ignorance of such an eventuality. If a Minister believes that the people are with him, he is justBed, should he be in a minority in Parliament, in asking for a dissolution. Hon. members, in giving their votes, should give one thought what the opinions of their constituents are likely to be. Of course, if a member holds an opinion most strongly, he is justified in giving effect to this by vote, even if such conduct should cost him his seat. But the present case scarcely can be described as one of this sort. Tiiere is much to be said for the Government view, and if the electors favor this, as it would appear that they do, the interests of the country would best be consulted by members favoring it also. We put the case hypothetically, although, should the Ministry be forced to elect to appeal to the country, we have not a shadow of a doubt what the result would be ; and if the people favor the resolutions, hon. members might as well strive to stem a torrent with a straw as vote against them.