THE PROPOSED UNION OF OTAGO AND CANTERBURY.

Southland Times, Issue 1262, 7 June 1870, Page 3

THE PROPOSED UNION OF OTAGO AND CANTERBURY.

A telegram appeared in our columns recently, purporting to be an extract from the Timaru Herald, which stated that that journal advocated the annexation of the Timaru and Gladstone districts to Otago. An extract which we subjoin from the same paper seems to breathe a totally different spirit, and if it can be taken as a faithful reflex of the opinions of the people of that part of the colony, it will be readily granted that Mr Stafford's policy has the undivided support of his own constituency :— The Provincial Council of Otago has passed a resolution affirming the desirability of the union of the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury, but beyond this abstract resolution it has refused to go, and the question is therefore shelved for the preserit. We are not at all surprised that the Provincial Council of Otago should decline to assent to propositions for arranging the " basis " of the contemplated union, for it will be evident to the majority of men that the scheme — even if it be desirable— is not feasible. The Provincial jealousies — th© inherent dislike to merge their individuality for their own and the public good— are characteristics bo fatally prevalent in each province that we believe the proposed union is not practicable. But, admitting for a moment that these jealousies could be overcome, the seat of government question settled, the future laws agreed upon, and the thousand and one other difficulties which would be sure to crop up, satisfactorily arranged, is such an amalgamation desirable? We scarcely think it is. What good would it effect ? It would not tend to reduce the actual cost of government, for were the proposal carried out in the most economical manner, we should have a large Provincial Council almost equal in size and importance to the Colonial Government, and the forms and ceremonies — the costly shams of provincialism — would increase instead of diminish. The elevation of Provincialism is not desirable on financial as well as other grounds. We hold that it should gradually give place to something simpler and less costly — some form of local self-governmetit, which can be extended to new and rising districts when the wealth and population in them demands the right of self-govern-ance. The colony could not commit a greater error than to create in .the stake a power almost equal to the state itself. It would create two powerful interests deadly opposed to each other, would virtually encourage log-rolling, and would wholly destroy any hope of founding at an early day one, united Colony with & strong central government. Above all, it would perpetuate provincial centralism in the worst form, and inflict injustice and wrong on ihe outlying districts of both provinces.