DECENTRALIZATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 38, 28 December 1861, Page 4

DECENTRALIZATION.

To the Editor of the Otago Dailt Times. Sir, —I have seen enough of public action, and its results, to know that slow, sure, firm and progressing—the still small sound of the initiator of a public movement, becomes finally the resonant |and determined voice of the people, impossible to be repressed, and vain to resist. The spirit of our Constitution encourages this view : the mere mouthing of the noisy demagogue Sinks with the speaker into native insignificance ; but the steady, united, continued expression of opinion, finds its way legitimately into the KeIpresentative Assembly, into the Executive, and 'into Law ! j The present state of public affairs in this Pro|vince call imperatively for vigorous and prompt action, and I would call the attention of all intelligent and earnest mien, to the conduct of the General to the Provincial Government. Never, that any Australian colonist can remember, has a cause of Circumlocution been so perfectly carried out as here. From the twopenny postman to the Superintendent, none dare move without reference to the General Government ; and a measure, important, laudable, called for by an immediate public want, acquiesced in by the Superintendent, and desired by all, must be referred to the General Government, who, earnestly and energetically trying how not to do it, return the proposition for information (!) and invariably succeed either in burking the whole proceeding, or.in delaying its action until the necessity for its existence has passed away. The large, comprehensive minds of England's statesmen may well be trusted to deal with imj partial discrimination, with questions of moment I affecting parts or wholes of England's co- | lonies, but, situated as Auckland is to Otago, it would be ridiculous to grant to Auckland statesmen a deference and submission cheerfully paid to Her Majesty's responsible ministers. I am sure the relative positions of Otago and Auckland have only to be considered, and the past and present, of Sydney and Victoria to be compared, to induce the whole population of this Province to agitate strenuously and continuously for separation—separation on terms liberal to the General Government, and honorable to Otago. Always feeling a lively interest in the mode of Government for the place in which my lot may be cast, I have heartily sympathised with and admired the conduct of the present Superintendent, and am so convinced that himself best sees the absolute necessity which exists for larger and less restricted x>owers here, that I confidently predict that whenever another election occurs he will be returned by a majority which will demonstrate how free outspoken men understand and value a frank fearless citizen who gives plain sound reasons for his way of thinking, and who has the courage to act on them. —I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Eclectic.

To the Editor of the Otago Daily Times.

Sir, —A short time ago I ha 1 occasion to protest against the unjust manner by w'rich coroner's juries are summoned in Dune din. lam sorry to have so soon occasion to revert to the same subject. On Tuesday, the 24th, I received another summons; when the constable came lie could with difficulty get in to serve it —the shop being so full of customers; but I was obliged to leave at a most inconvenient time, and to attend to' a most disagreeable duty. I can name two hundred men in Dimedin who have not sat on an inquest for the last seven years, and I have been summoned on live within the last twelve months. I now publicly declare that I will not attend another inquest during the next twelve months, let the consequences be what they may. DAVID ADAM, Princes-street.

w (To the Editor of, the Daily Times.)

• Belfast, Victoria, Dec. 13th, 1861. Dear Sir, —Having had the pleasure of addressing^ you about a week since, I again take the liberty of handing- you, the accompanying- Argus, and to draw your attention to paragraph marked xx p. 5, in confirmation of my previous remarks —the decrying every gold field (not'being Victorian) and that of Otago in particular; as it is now doing with respect to the Lachlan, and formerly the Snowy River diggings, both being "over the border." But, after all, it is purely a matter of business to keep as many people in Victoria as possible ; yet strange to say, by reference to the " Commercial' Intelligence " in the previous day's Argus, (of the 9th Dec.) the sudden improvement in "the trade of Melbourne is attributed to the demand for goods for Otago, a wonderful discovery, really, yet it will be only temporary, as in due time the Otago, or rather the Dunedin merchants will eventually supply their wants direct, of which the Argus is no doubt fully aware, but omits to prophesy the result, stating some time ago that it was immaterial where the diggers were located, as Melbourne would have the supplying of them, the same as if in Victoria, forgetting that Melbourne is not all the world yet. In Blackwood's Magazine, upwards of 30 years ago, an article appeared (attributed to M'Culloch) to the effect that it made no difference to Ireland whether landlords lived on their estates or in Dublin, or whether in London or Paris; yet the difference would soon be dis(»(yvrv»r>r! r.iion. 1 '"1 Vi<*+rHflTi -nnvvip+ovs or squatters reside iin N'.'w So-nth W^les. in political economy there is a good deal of sense and truth, but diluted with a marvelous amount of sophistry. As stated in my former communication, practical diggers require no editorial advice, as, like other communities, they can manage i their own 'affairs best. A French minister once asked the prad-hotiimes (representing the Chamber of Commerce) if he could promote trade; the reply was, " Sir, the greatest benefit which you can confer onus will be, to let us alone" | R. B. j The following is the paragraph referred to by 'our correspondent. It is from the A; ,tis of Dec. 11 Ofli: —The published accounts of the doings of ■the miners in l\ew Zealand are not, oj a character to justify the revloal of the rash thitha- oard which commenced la.st treek ,■ and, if not produced by private Lii.ibnuai.ion oj a far more encouraging nature, the morenicnf -irouid apjx-ti.r to b<- eery ul-timed. 'The old ground was, no doubt, still-paying well ;in solnt; place*, but fVivther discoveries had to be 'made at the date of this intelligence before there i would be any room for ik-w--comers ; nor is there any tiling more to jur-.-iitV the continuance of the rush to the Lachian, which still continues from ; this colony without abatement. The first ground [opened there is undoubtedly rich, but the lead is I narrow, and so poor is the prospect' of a chance 'on this ibr the numbers crowding to it, that more 'of the arrivals are leaving- ibr the other i\ Tew evjuth Wales gold-fields than remaining at the Lachlan. Prospectors are, however, out in all

directions, and their efforts are likely to extend the field of operations ; but any discoveries that will be of use to those now starting from here have yet to be made, as in New Zealand.