New Zealand Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4376, 30 March 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1875.

We do not clearly understand Sir George Grey’s programme on the Auckland City West hustings, as reported by telegram. What does he mean by saying “ that < ‘ when the other provinces came and “ threatened to abolish Auckland, they “ commenced the war?” We have no knowledge of such a threat by the other provinces. The abolition resolutions wore supported by a majority of Auckland members, and whatever may be said for or against them, it cannot be affirmed that they originated in any feeling of hostility towards Auckland by neighboring provinces. In fact, with the exception of the small outlying provinces or districts of Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, “ the provinces,” as typified by Superintendents and Provincial Secretaries, resisted the proposal with the utmost vigour. The measure was proposed by the Government as a broad question of policy. As such it should be considered ; but Sir George Grey makes a local question of. it, and endeavors to foment provincial antipathies which were gradually dying out. We would be the last to recommend any measure that would tend to injure Auckland. Indeed, we do not suppose there is a public man in the colony who could be capable of such an act of folly ; but wo have yet to learn that the abolition of Provincial Government in Auckland and Wellington would tend, either directly or indirectly, to injure one or other place. We hold a very strong opinion to the contrary. Of course, we may be wrong; but until we are convinced by arguments, based upon facts, that we are so, we must decline to be led by broad and sweeping assertion even by Sir George Grey. When we protested against that gentleman reviving provincial jealousies by his speech to the Auckland"electorate, while yet a candidate for the Superintendency, we did so because we felt that it was unbecoming one in his high position, who had twice governed the colony of Hew Zealand, to endeavour to make political capital by setting the small provincial communities by the ears. We regret, however, that Sir George justifies his conduct, and still more so that his justification is based

upon an assumption which has no foundation in fact. The other provinces have not commenced the war; they do not propose to abolish Auckland, and deprive its people of their constitutional rights; in short, the other provinces neither make nor meddle with Auckland. The proposal for abolishing Provincial Government in the North Island, as we have already said, is one that has been considered by the Colonial Legislature, on the motion of the Premier of New Zealand, and it is, therefore, a colonial question. But our protest against Sir George Grey’s revival of the old spirit of provincial jealousy was justified on other grounds. If he had referred to the division list, he would have seen that amongst those who voted against the Government proposition was Mr. George Hunter, one of the two members for the City of Wellington, not ro speak of Mr. Prrz-

Herbert, the Superintendent of Wellington, and Mr. Bunny, Provincial Secretary, while the other member for the Capital does not appear to have voted. Does that look like any hostile spirit against Auckland on the part of the prominent public men in this province ? Does it not, on the contrary, refute Sir George Grey’s assertion, and demonstrate the friendly feelings cherished towards Auckland, at all events by influential men in Wellington ? Indeed, if he had studied the division lists he would not have hazarded such a sweeping accusation against “ the other provinces.” The admission that Wellington would always be a great city, owing to its favorable position for commerce, and to its back country which the railways will open, is only what might have been expected from Sir George, who knows every part of the North Island ; nor do we question the accuracy of his anticipation of a prosperous future for Auckland. But all this is apart from the constitutional question which is before the country. Does any one mean to say that ■without Provincial Government the gold- , fields of the North would not bedeveloped? What had the Superintendent and his Executive to do with the opening of Ohinemuri to the miners, which has already added considerably to the population of Auckland province? Nothing; absolutely,nothing. The forests and minerals and soil would be utilised if there was no Provincial Government in existence ; wherefore it is idle to argue, in the way Sir George Grey does, as if the existence of provincial institutions had something to do with the fertility of the soil and salubrity of the climate of Auckland.

Sir George Grey sees nothing at all in the present system to deserve its continuance : referring, doubtless, to the present parliamentary system. If the General Assembly’s proceedings at Wellington are at all like unto the caricature of British representative institutions to which Sir George compared them, we go with him in saying that these should be abolished. We are not by any means enamoured by the present system,, as wo have more than once had occasion to remark. Parliamentary Government can hardly be said to exist in this colony, but Sir George Grey’s friends out of office declare there is not the material from which to construct Party Government. Wo doubt this, however ; and Sir George, instead of attempting to split up the colony into petty states, should lend the influence of his name and talent to consolidate the Government, and complete our parliamentary system. He need never expect to succeed in his scheme of subordinating the Colonial Legislature to Provincial Councils. The strong will not succumb to the weak, nor the supremo voluntarily subordinate itself to the inferior* authority. It is utter folly to go upon an assumption to the contrary. What Sir George Grey has got to do, is to take facts as he finds them, and do the best he can with the material at his disposal. By acting thus ho may succeed to some extent in doing good to the province of which ho is Superintendent, and to the colony at large. Otherwise, ho will bo powerless to accomplish any good end. “If Auckland had what she was en- “ titled to she would still bo able to carry-

“on public works successfully,” We really do not know what is the meaning of this sentence, standing alone in the telegraphic report of Sir George Grey’s speech. It cannot have reference to the vote of £60,000 for roads and works: north of Auckland, because the Assembly prescribed the manner in which this vote* was te bo expended. If there has been waste or misapplication of the vole, Sir George has a seat in the House of Representatives where he may call the Government to account; and he must certainly know that Mr. YoGELdoes not personally control that expenditure as Treasurer during his absence from the colony. Sir George is very severe also in his strictures upon the Ministry. “ Without “Mr. Vogel,” he says, “the present “Government would fall -to pieces “ directly. Was it right that the inter- “ ests of the colonists should bo sacrificed “for one man?” This is a sweeping condemnation, for if it means anything it means that the members of his Excellency’s Executive are sacrificing the interests of the colony in tho absence of Mr. Vogel. In what way are these interests being sacrificed ? Let us once see this clearly, and weishall join Sir George Grey in demanding, a, change of Ministry. Tho interests of the country should not be sacrificed for one man, nor for a dozen of men, however capable they may bo. Having gono- ao, far. Sin should bo more specific. / He should come tb’partioulars, and tell tho country how its interests are being sacrificed by the gentlemen who are now advising his Excellency. Such an accusation, from such a quarter, should be backed by proof. Sir George Grey is not a raw politician. He understands the force of any words ha may use ; he speaks with the full sense of responsibility which attaches to his office and per. sonal reputation. Let us have something more than vague charges, therefore, and should he convince the country that he is right, it will not be slow to follow him. He demands that the Assembly should be convened at once, and “ that Auckland “ should be granted what she is entitled “to.” There must surely be some real danger to the country, or Sir George would not recommend an emergency session of the Assembly. He could never advocate such an extreme step as that on the sole ground of there being a disputed balance between the Colonial Treasury and the Provincial Treasury of Auckland. The present is not the 6nly occasion when disputes of a similar kind have occurred. We are almost inclined to think that these disputes are chronic ; but we have also strong reasons for declaring that they may at all times be satisfactorily adjusted without convening Parliament to take -cognisance of them. In conclusion, we would say that Sir George Grey has either gone too far or he has not gone quite far enough. The country, whose interests are being sacrificed, wants to know something more specific than his Honor the Superintendent of Auckland has been pleased to tell it.