CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4267, 23 November 1874, Page 2

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Extremes often meet. Extreme anti-proviu-cialists and extreme provincialists were opposed to the Ministerial programme embodied in the abolition resolutions. Those extreme opponents to each other and to the half abolition resolutions, joined together in the cry of "all or none." Public opinion in the colony seems to favor the abolition of provincialism in all parts of the colony alike. AVili the Government amend their programme by making the measure general? If public opinion is already pronounced oiv the abolition part of the Ministerial programme, it Bcems to be as yet in a very nebulous state as to what parts of the administrative functions of provincialism will be transferred to the General Government, and what parts should be transferred to local Municipal Governments. It seems that now, since the question of abolition has been thoroughly ventilated and approved of. that the Press should take another step forward and ventilate how the future division of administrative iunctions between the General and Municipal Governments should take place after the provincial abolitiou. Is simplicity or complexity, permissiveness or coercion, to be the fundamental basis of the new institutions ? Will the Provincial Abolition Bill arbitral tivcly divide the colony into districts, or will it oaly provide permissively for districts to come under the Act after the settlers agree upon a definition of their boundaries? This important question has not yet, I think, received any public consideration. A question often asked is, what constitutional structure is to be substituted for provincialism ? There seems to be a: very prevalent idea that provincialism should not be abolished until some other institution is organised to carry on the administrative functions of provincialism. The conservative instincts that demand to be satisfied as to the organic structure of the local governments that is to bo substituted for provincialism, merits every attention : and I think it might be satisfled by leaving the provincial institution untouched in its construction for a time, except by relieving it in the first place of administrative functions that ought to bo carried on by the General Government. All the survev departments of the colony could be transferred to the General Government, and that department ought to be conducted so us to be responsible to Parliament. The colony now guarantees the accuracy of the survey when Crown grants are issued. the land being registered under the Land Transfer Act. The education in common schools should be under the control of the General Government. If the police force of the colony were under the direction of one responsible head, a hotter organisation and efficiency would be secured, especially in the detective branch of the service. Transferring the administrative control of the Provincial Governments to the General Government, would enable a better classification than is possible under the present provincial management. The same remark applies to lucatic asylums, inasmuch as th« condition of prisoners undergoing a long term of imprisonment may bo aptly compared to the condition of the incurable patients in a lunatic asylum. The Chief Commissioner of Crown lands ought to bo an officer directed by the General Government. The net proceeds of the land Eoles might be allotted to local municipal governments. The Legislature having relieved the Provincial Governments of all functions that ought to be placed under the direct control of the General Government, it would only remain to gradually transfer its remaining functions to Highway and other Municipal Board! or Councils. . „ .. Many outlying districts wonld remain for some tim« unprepared to undertake the functions of a local government, and the question occurs whether a modified.

Provincial Council would be * .fittine insMution to retain and conduct the functions of local governments, until the out-settlers will take the duties on themselves; but as soon as each outlying district would be prepared to manage its owel local affairs, they mighibo permitted to relievo tho Provincial Govemments from administrative functions, by any district accepting the responsibility of self-government Existing Highway and other local Boards mlght.be encouraged to accept tho entire management of their local affairs, without the intervention of any Provincial Government. ■' -. By some such process of development, the change from the old to the new local government might be introduced, without violent action In the districts that would not be ripe enough for some time to govern themselves locally. These suggestions are offered, in hopes they may attract the notice of some one better able to deal with the subject than AV. A. Greytown, November 20.