New Zealand Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4279, 7 December 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1874.

We reprint in to-day’s issue Sir Geokgb Grey’s latest letter to the New Zealand Herald. It is a remarkable letter, and challenges tho attention of all public men and writers in the colony. Wo can well understand Sir George Grey’s annoyance at the hostile criticism of the Colonial Press. He expected to find an almost unanimous opinion in favor of Provincial institutions, whereas their downfall is most earnestly desired. But he has solace in the thought that “the coming race ” will recognise tho wisdom of his proposals, and give effect to his now discredited policy. Something of the kind happened to him in South Africa, and there is no reason why it should not occur in New Zealand also. It is not our present purpose to discuss that portion of Sir George Grey’s letter which rakes up the dry bones of the dead Past. We say, let the draft Constitution lie peacefully in its grave. With it, we have nothing practically to do. It was the germ out of which grew tho Constitution under which New Zealand has been governed since 1853, but it was not that Constitution. This is a distinction which Sir George fails to see ; but it is a most material one. Unless it is carefully borne in mind one is likely to become confused, as Sir George undoubtedly is. He drafted one Constitution ; tho Imperial Parliament granted another, which Sir George repudiates in one breath and clamorsfor in the next. The colony, having had experience of Superintendentaiism—that centralising system which has dwarfed the political life of New Zealand, and rendered the growth of a colonial public opinion impossible—proposes, in the only legitimate way, namely, by an Act of the General Assembly, to abolish Provincial Government. Sir George Grey, clinging to the only portion of his draft Constitution which remains, objects to the abolition of the Provincial system, while denouncing the nominated Upper House. He is quite prepared to alter the constitution and character of the Legislative Council, but the constitution and character of Provincial Councils, however shaky and bad these may be, must remain untouched. This is just a trifle inconsistent. If Sir George Grey supposes that he can, by dint of argument, or otherwise, induce the Colonial Parliament to adopt the Constitution originally drafted by himself, the history of which he narrates, ho is deceiving himself. If it had been adopted by the Imperial Parliament, it might have worked smoothly, and been the very perfection of “ full self-government to this colony ;” but the trial was not made, and wo cannot therefore go with Sir George in admiration of it. The Constitution under which we live is not perfect. It has not worked smoothly ; and we admit that it is fairly open to the animadversions in the closing paragraph of the letter from Kawau.

It is satisfactory, however, to find that Sir George, while clinging to the doomed Provincial system, is directing his attention to perhaps the greatest blemish in our political institutions. That blemish is pointed out, with a vigor of expression and a heartiness that leaves no room to doubt the sincerity of the writer. On a recent occasion we felt constrained, in the interest of Representative Government and the independence of Parliament, to protest against a Ministerial appointment which is open to every one of the objections so forcibly urged by Sir George Grey against the practice that has been followed by successive Governments since the adoption of the principle of Responsible Government in this colony. It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of this Constitutional question ; but we venture to think it will be thoroughly ventilated before the provinces are abolished. The reform of the Constitution must be thorough. The country will not, and indeed should not, rest satisfied with half measures. Abolish Provincial Government by all means; but do not halt there. It was owing to the intervention of Provincial Government between the people and the Colonial Executive, that it became possible for such a system of Government to bo elaborated, as New Zealand has allowed to be slowly built up to its own permanent injury. If there had been a colonial public opinion it would not have been attempted ; but the colonists had their attention distracted from colonial politics by the direct action of provincial institutions, and they failed to perceive the mischievous tendency of a system which Sir George Grey not too strongly denounces. Provincialism, wo say, is doomed ; but in its fall it will clear the ground for a far more important reform, namely, the establishment of true Parliamentary Government, by insisting upon direct responsibility of Ministers to the representatives of the people. Everyone acquainted with the constitution of successive Governments must bo aware that direct responsibility, in a Parliamentary sense, has not existed. We have something that does duty for it; —a clever imitation, no doubt, but only an imitation after all. In these remarks, wo wish it clearly to bo understood that we are not pointing to individuals. Wo are attacking a system. There has not been a single Ministry constituted in the colony, wo have reason to think, that fulfilled all tho conditions of Ministerial responsibility.

The consequence has been tho creation of an official governing caste who assume tho right of administering the affairs of tho colony, the General Assembly occupying the not very dignified position of registering their decisions and giving validity to their acts. Wasteful expenditure, crude legislation, and public dissatisfaction are necessarily the outcome of such a state of things. Sir George Grey has laid his finger upon tho great blot in our political system; and it is the duty of public men to consider how it may be removed.