The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1133, 31 March 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1869.

Since the termination of the last session of the G-eneral Assembly, war topics have almost absorbed the whole attention of the New Zealand press, and that of the public. The great political questions of the day have in a measure been shelved in order to ventilate fully the more exciting subject of the native policy of the G-overament. "We are free to confess that a wise discretion has been manifested by all parties at a moat critical period which has served to subdue party feeling and political partizanship. It has led to a calm consideration of the true position of the colony, and opened the eyes of many to the folly of attempting to perpetuate a system of divided responsibility that has been given a fair trial and found defective. We believe we are correct in stating that during the next session of the G-eneral Assembly a strong effort will be made to abolish or materially modify the existing system — that many who were formerly persistent advocates of Provincialism have, during the recess, carefully examined the relative positions of the General and Provincial Governments, and arrived at the conclusion that organic alterations in the constitution have become a necessity. The change in public opinion on this question has been remarkable. Prominent statesmen have avowedly come to the conclusion that Provincialism is worked out, and has virtually ceased to exist. "When men who have devoted the best part of their lives — men of capacity and learning— to New Zealand politics are condemning a system they have heretofore strongly upheld, it may be reasonably assumed that nothing but a deep sense of public duty and an honest desire to promote th 6 welfare of their adopted country could have led them to such conclusions. Whatever may be the public feeling upon the Staffobd war policy — whatever may be the opinions of individuals upon particular acts of the Colonial Secretary — all acknowledge that he is steadily and energetically working to attain one object, and that one which must sooner or later be achieved — the union of the colony. It is no use to disguise the fact Provincialism is virtually almost a thing of the past — a name without a substance, a governmental machine without the surroundings necessary to keep it in motion. It is a noticeable fact that the majority of the Provincial Governments are in a miserable state of bankruptcy, and are dependent for their existence, even in name, upon the General Government — that while maintaining the semblance of authority and legislative power, they are less independent, have less means to meet public demands than they would possess if under a liberal system of local self-government, shorn of their ridiculous dignity, they were to merge into Koad Districts, Municipalities, or District Councils. They have become powerless for good, while still being, despite all attempts at retrenchment, costly and cumbersome. In making these assertions we do not apply them exclusively to this Province, Par from it< Southland

we maintain is in a far better financial position than Marlborough, Taranaki, Hatfkes' Bay, Wellington, or even Auckland. Taking it for granted the relationship between the Provinces and the G-eneral Government has become so complicated that it is almost impossible to determine their relative positions, it must be conceded that as partners in one firm serious consideration should be given to any scheme that may be propounded for lessening the governmental expenditure of the colony as a whole and securing to each portion a fair share of its revenue. The time for seeking a dissolution of partnership is past. The colony has a mill-stone debt that must be extinguished before any separation can be hoped for or justly demanded. However much we may feel the burden of a war expenditure we are morally bound to bear our share of it, and we should aim at securing such reforms in the government of the province as should simplify the machinery and diminish the expense of its working. We maintain that the Imperial Grovernment is bound in justice to aid us in suppressing the rebellion, and we doubt not some assistance will be given, but it will be small, and the cost ultimately will have to be borne by the colony. If the constitution was recast, the provincial system abolished, and another substituted that would give equitable local selfgovernment to every portion of the I colony, New Zealand would in time overcome all its difficulties, and as a united colony become prosperous and powerful.