New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4252, 5 November 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1874.

The extracts we have published from the New Zealand Press prove incontestibly that Sir George Gbev and the Superintendental party aro nowhere in public opinion. Indeed, it would bo exceedingly strange were it otherwise. But for Provincialism, as developed' into Superintendontalism, we believe the colony would havo been much farther advanced than it is. Under the present system, sectional interests are considered, not tho interests of the whole ; and members of tho Assembly come up to the Seat of Government, year after year, to “see “ what they can got” for their districts, instead of consulting how best to promote tho efficient and economical government of tho colony. There is simply an annual scramble on the floor of the Assembly ; and tho Government that offers most to tho insatiable provincial maw remains longest in office. Furthermore, no efficient control of provincial administration has been devised, and so potent have the Now Zealand Satraps become, that it is tho rule, in every Act of tho General Assembly providing for executive action by tho Government, to reserve to tho Governor the right of delegating all his powers to Superintendents. Hence the mischievous and unconstitutional system of Government by Delegation. No ono can imagine tho evils and abuses to which that system has given rise. True, it is according to law, —to Suporinton-dental-rnade-law, —but its practical and necessary effect is to evade responsibility. Tho responsible advisors of tho Governor aro not responsible for any administrative abuse under any of these Acta, the Governor’s powers having been delegated according to statute. Nor aro tho

Superintendents and their Executives responsible, there being no provision whereby they may be brought to book. Any complaint that may be made is readily answered by the plea of an error of judgment. The fact is, that were we to enumerate all the ills which the Provincial system has entailed upon New Zealand, our space would be exhausted. Suffice it to say, that while it has absorbed the public estate and increased the public debt, it has failed in its paramount duty of settling the country. The land laws of the provinces have been, more or less, the outcome of provincial “rings.” Public interests have not been, for a single instant, considered. And the self-same system is now in active operation. It is speeding the alienation of the public estate, leaving the burden of taxation upon the consumers, only a small minority of whom have in any way benefltted by the land policy of the provinces. In one part of the colony the public estate is tieef up for a life-time at a pepper-corn rent; in another, it is forced into the market at a nominal price ; —we say “ nominal ‘ ‘ price, ’ ’ because any one who contrasts the price of land obtained by a private vendor, i and the price which similar land realises when sold by the provinces, under their respective laud laws, will readily understand what we mean. The time, however, has come when Superintendentalism stands face to face with the taxpayers ; when the people will take stock of tho net results of provincial administration. Were a correct balance-sheet drawn out, we make bold to say that the advocates of the provincial system would be scouted by the whole community. There is nothing whatever to show on its account at all commensurate to the expenditure ; and the progress the colony has made has rather been in spite, than because, of Provincial Government.