The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1113, 24 February 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1869.

New Zealand, beyond every other colony, is remarkable for the small enlightenment possessed by the colonists as to the true position of public affairs, and the indifference shown as to what principle should be adopted, or men selected, for the conduct of public business. The political history of this colony is one of apathy and legis. lation to suit parties — there has been no large-hearted statesmanship, no comprehensive views and opinions formed which could arouse the public mind to realise the importance of watching closely the actions of the Government, and taking an inierest in what was done. Until very recently there has been nothing like an organisation of party — although from the time we received the existing constitution the colony has been governed by factions. Each session the representatives of the provinces had " little game " to play, and all aim or ambition to legislate lor the whole colony was crushed by the overpowering weight of provincial short, sightedness and self-seeking ambition. Within the past two years, however, a broad issue has been brought before the /

public, and during the late session the question of union or disunion, centralism or provincialism, has been warmly discussed, and greater interest taken in legislative proceedings than had been shown on any previous occasion. Two distinct parties were formed — the Unionists, whose creed professed to be the unity of New Zealand, by centeralising the executive power, but yet giving to all portions of the colony enlarged and equitable administrative privileges ; and the Constitutionalists, who sought to perpetuate the provincial system with all its costly appliances and growing evils. The strife of parties ran high. The measures of reform introduced by the Stafford Ministry were nearly all abandoned or withdrawn, without their having been sufficiently ventilated to be perfectly understood by the people. Sufficient, i however, was stated by the Government to justify a belief that their tendency was financial retrenchment with a more comprehensive system of local selfgovernment. The Fox party never enunciated any policy beyond a dogged adherence to the Provincial system. Thus the session ended — no progressive legislation was effected, and the public, for the most part, has fallen back into its old state of unnatural and censurable inactivity. It is desirable that we should keep our readers posted up on the state of parties, and show the progress that is being made towards the union of the colony or otherwise. "We have supported the Stafford policy, and still support Centralism, if it means, as has been over and over again stated by the Government, the abolition of the Provincial system, the simplifying and expanding of local self-government, thus securing to every section of the colony a fair and full share of all the advantages arising from equitable administration. This is our idea of Cantralism, and this only should we support, and this was what Mr Stafford and his party professed to desire. But on the contrary, if Centralism is by the Government intended to mean the fleecing of the outlying districts for the purpose of adding to the importance and aggrandisement of "Wellington as the seat of Government, Mr Stafford has greatly mistaken the grounds upon which support was received from southern members of the House and the press. That support was given on the faith that the outlying districts would in all cases be fairly treated — that on matters in which all were equally interested all £ta# fcrWitfrnfe 1& Stafford is calculated to shake the faith of the Unionists in the professions of their leaders. The gross injustice that will be done to the people of the Middle Island, if the English mail via Suez is conveyed from Melbourne direct to Wellington, must be patent to every one. It cannot be argued that the proposal is made with the view of treating the North and South alike, inasmuch as there is a steam service between Australia and Auckland, and that province could not suffer any inconvenience if the old arrangement had remained undisturbed. Such actions as these certainly bear the complexion of a resolve to bolster up the Empire City at the expense of every other portion of the colony, and are calculated to strengthen the hands of the Opposition. The Fox party are gaining courage from such stupid and blundering actions of the Government. It must, and does tend to deaden the energy of the Unionists, at a time when it is most essential that every effort should be made to indoctrinate the people with the views they hold. It is not then surprising to find that in Otago the return of a representative for the House of Representatives has resulted in the election of an Opposition candidate by a large majority. The organ of the Opposition — 'New Zealand Sun' — is jubilant at the event, and takes it as evidence of the downfall of the Government, and defeat of the Unionists. We cannot accept such a conclusion. No doubt the conduct of the iilinistry, in the postal affair, had an effect in bringing about the result, but other feelings of no weak character, combined to secure the electioa of Mr Driver, the Opposition candidate, and the rejection of Mr Alles, the socalled Government supporter. Mr Driver is an outspoken man, both in hid place as member of the Provincial Council of Otago, and the City Council of Dunedin. He boldly professed Provincialism, and freely expressed his opinions. Mr Allen, on the other hand, is unknown as a political man, and although recognised as a Government candidate, he hesitated to confess it, as if ashamed of his colors. When a . great question was at issue, the chip in porrage, the "run with the hare, and hunt with the hounds," pretender to political honors is bound to come to grief. Mr Allen was one of this class, and his defeat is no

cause of rejoicing on the one side or repinings on the other. IN o doubt it will weaken the hands of the Government, and it is to be hoped, teach them that a more comprehensive view of the policy it professes is essential to success. That a change in the constitution is essential — one similar to that proposed by the Unionists — is generally conceded. It is j this question — Union or Provincialism — ' that should occupy the public mind, without reference to Mr Stafford or any one else. The principle is the question and not the men. It matters but little who is at the helm if the ship sails in the right direction. In reforming any constitution, it is necessary that those most immediately interested — the people — should obtain from their representatives a few expressions of their views, learn from them what they understand to be the Central or Provincial creeds. The lepresentatives should be shown the folly of acting as partizans, and should hold wrangling for party objects less worthy and honorable than legislating for a nation. It is time that the electors of Southland took some steps to elicit from their representatives what part they played in the legislative comedy of last session. Mr Dillok Bell— the Sir Charles Surface of the House — expresses a desire to meet the electors and make a " clean breast of his conduct." We wish he would, and then resign. The other members should be requested to give a public account of their stewardship. It would only have been courtesy on their part to invite the electors to meet them after the termination of the session, but as they have failed to do this it becomes the duty of the electors to request them no longer to shirk meeting their constituents.