New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4522, 17 September 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17.

Considerable progress was made in Committee on the Abolition of Provinces Bill yesterday. The principal clause in the Bill—clause 4—was passed in the following shape;— “ The 2nd section of the Constitution “ Act is hereby repealed, and the pro- “ vinces of Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, “ Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Marl- “ borough, Westland, Canterbury, and Otago, are hereby abolished.” A division was taken on an amendment by Mr. Stout, to strike out the word “ Otago,” but it was retained by an overwhelming majority. Sir George Grey moved the omission of the word “Auckland,” but he was content to have it negatived on the voices. He explained that his object was to show that he was not a consenting party to this legislation, as he meant to test the legality of the proceeding in the Supreme Court. The last is not, therefore, heard of the question of provincial abolition. This point, however, conceded, the widest latitude appears to be taken in settling the details of the measure, and the Government accepted Mr. Macandrew’s amendment touching the education reserves of Otago, of which he had given notice, after declaring that they could not assent to it, as it would cumber the Bill. A further concession was made to Mr. Rolleston, to the effect that the amendment should apply to the whole colony. How this is to be accomplished, and at the same time do justice to all parts of the colony alike in the matter of educational grants, we do not profess to understand ; and we anticipate that a great deal of dissatisfaction will be created in many districts on this fact becoming known. If, however, the Government are prepared to make such provision for the educational requirements of the several provincial districts as will place all of them on a footing of perfect equality, well and good ;—no harm can come of it; but we fail to see how this can be accomplished as proposed. We readily admit the wisdom of conciliating the Opposition, but we regard the education question as of paramount importance, and any proposal which would interfere with a uniform system of education should be resisted by the Government. Now, a uniform school system means a common school fund, and one controlling authority in matters of general administration, with local supervision by school committees. But how is this to be brought about if the provincial school systems are to be conserved 1 If there was one thing more than another for which we advocated the abolition of the provincial system, it was in the hope that the public scandal, which the existing state of education in several parts of the colony presents, would disappear. But to all appearance, we are simply abolishing Provincial Councils and Superintendents, and perjjetuating the more objectionable features of provincial administration. The provincial districts of Otago and Canterbury will continue practically to enjoy immunity from taxation for school purposes, while Westland, Nelson, and the other provinces, will have the luxury of taxing themselves heavily to provide the means of imperfectschool instruction within their respective boundaries. We confess that this is one result of the abolition of provinces which we did not anticipate, and we take leave to think that it will surprise a great number of abolitionists. There may, however, be a way out of the difficulty, and we hope the new clause which the Government promised under pressure last evening may dispose of our objection. Should it do so, none will be better pleased than ourselves. Meanwhile, we would just say in conclusion, that the country expects the Abolition of Provinces Bill will bo a substance and not a shadow ;—a reality and not a sham.