MAJOR ATKINSON ON CENTRALISM AND PROVINCIALISM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 824, 9 May 1868, Page 3

MAJOR ATKINSON ON CENTRALISM AND PROVINCIALISM.

To the Editor of the Taranaki Herald.

Silt, — As the important subjects of Centralism and Provincialism havo been discussed by you in two leading articles in late numbers of your paper, (18th April, and 2nd May,) and as it appears to me, that you have failed in them to touch upon the real point of difference between | tho two policies, and that many persons might i bo led, by the perusal of the articles iv question, to form quite erroneous opiuions as to the views aud objects of Centralists and Provincialists respectively, I take tho liberty of addressing you upon these subjects. I do not propose, however, iv the present letter to go into much detail, to argue the matter closely, or to consider the opinions of the many sections into which the ttvo pai'Lies'are divided ; my idea being 1 to give a general idea of Centralism and Provincialism. In order rightly to understand the matter, it must be borne in mind, that from the earliest days of tho constitution, Now Zealand politicians have been divided iuto two parties, both sides holding considerable alterations in the constitution to be absolutely necessary, one, howover, desiring alterations to be made with the view of bringiug our Constitution moro into harmony with the English ; tho other, with the American modi.'). Yet a very large majority of both these parties aro, I am persuaded, actuated by the bame motive, viz., a desire to see r the people of Now Zealand well and cheaply governed through representative institutions of the broadest character. These parties have been named respectively Centralists and Provincialists, names much to bo regretted as not conveying to any but those intimately acquainted with our politics auy idea, or, if any, an erroueous one, of the views or objects of either party. The first thing, therefore, to be dono in considering the question, is to defino, iv general terms, the meaning of Centralist and Provintialist. A Centralist desires to see the several Provinces of New Zealand gradually absorbed into a united Colony, governed by a Ministry, responsible to a Parliament, elected by, and really representing the people of New Zealand ; tho ultimate object being the reproduction of English institutions, both general and local, with such modifications as may be rendered advisable by experience, and the natural difference of the two countries. A Prouincialist desires to see tho sevoral Provinces with increased powers of legislation, become distinct Colonies connected by a federal union , the ultimate object being the reproduction of American institutions. There then may be seen the clear broad line which separates the Centralist from tho Provincialist, and however much it may be hidden by false issues raised on either side, it is evident, I think, that if the former party (Central) prevail, we shall have our institutions assimilated to those of England — if the latter (Provincial), to those of America. Now, to all persons who have made New Zealand their home (and I am among that number), the question as to its future institutions is a very important one, and one to which they are bound to give their most serious consideration ; and this is a point to which I wish to draw particular attention, because wo are only too apt in order lo avoid present difficulties to apply the first remedy which seems likely to give relief, without considering/whither it may lead us. That we are at'present4ufferiug from a cumbrous and expensive form of government, is, I think, clear to everyone. We are over governed and over taxed, and yet much of our most important work is at a stand still. This fact is at last, I hope, coming home to the electors of New Zealand, and when once they have thoroughly realised it, improvement will not be far off. In the meantime each of us should be determining in his own mind which form of government he desires for himself and childron. I will now consider, first, Contralism — second, Provincialism. Centralism : I havo said that the Centralist desires to see a united New Zealand upon the English model ; that is, a strong Central Government to deal with colonial questions, all local matters being left, to local.boardq and municipal corporations. It is absolutely incorrect to attribute to tho Centralists auy desire, however remote, to centralise powers which are and should remain, according to our English notions, strictly local. I need only call yonr attention to three or four'important measures introduced and carried by the Centralists to make this plain. The Provinces had not been long in existence before complaints were heard from the out-lying districts, that their land fund, was being usod in and about tho towns. A Central Government thon iv office, in order to remedy this injustice, passed tho New Provinces Act, which gavo absolule power into tho hands of the people in tliosu districts, for by complying with tho Act they could claim the right of self-government, which right the Government had uo power to refuse. This Act, I beliove, has been most beneficial in its operation, because by giving tho power to the settlers of a district it enabled them to obtain some justice from, the poworful Provincial centres, although not so full a share as could have been deaired. Then we have the Timaru and Gladstone Act, granting to those large tind important districts a fair proportion of the Canterbury loan, and of theiVown land fund to be spent by themselves in the improvement of their own districts. It was alleged that justice could not be obtained from tho Canterbury Provincial Council, and the promoter of tho Bill refused to let it stand over lor another session, although the Superintendent of Canterbury pledged himself to see justice done. Then we havo the Westlaud Aot, whioh, though temporary and far from perfect, is .an effort iv the right direction, and will, I bplieve, bo made a very useful Act in tho nextsossion j and lastly wehavo the Municipal Corporation Act, a very carefully drawn measuro arjd one likely to be of great service to tho country. These Acts show, I think, sufficiently the spirit of Centralism. I must, however, point ont that although earnestly desiring a real and vigorous national life for Now Zealand, the Centralists have never proposed to obtain it, or thought it attainable by tho sudden

and arbitrary abolition of Provincial Govern; monts, which all admit havo rendered great sorvico to tho country ; but believing that form of government would coase to bo beneficial as tho couutry became; peopled, and seeing that it must then either increase or gradually die out, they have endeavoured little by little to introduce English institutions, but only as permissive measures, and never, as fur as I am aware, by a single Act attempting to exercise the arbitrary power of deciding for tho settlers points which they alone can rightly determine. 1 now come to Provincialism. Tho Provincialists desire, as I bnvo said, to see the several Provinces become distinct Colonios, united by a federal bond, that is they would Americanize oar Constitution. It is their party, in fact, aud not that of tho Centralists which desires radical alterations in the principle of our Constitution; for many of the powers they claim to exercise are not theirs under the Constitution Act. (And here I would call to the startling fact of the fuilure of the Provincial Connoils to deal effectually with such subjects as Road Boards, Municipal Corporations, Town Boards, Draining, Fencing, and many other kindred subjects, for it seems by tho recent decision of the Supremo Court, Bagge v. Sinclair, that nearly the whole of the Provincial Legislation upon these subjects is invalid. It therefore became necessary for tho General Assembly to pass the " Provincial Acts Validation Act, 1867," by whioh some 78 Provincial Ordinances have beeu made valid till the end of the next session of tho General Assembly. Our own Roads and Bridges Ordinance, and Town Board Ordinance being amongst the number.) Now, when we are asked not to let our institutions gradually developo themselves according to the habits and geuius of tho people, but to grant new and extended powers, not contemplated in the Constitution Act, to the Provinces, we aro bound to see how fur such increased powers, if granted, would be beneficial to the country. I will, for the sake of argument, suppose the Provincial powers increased, and also that tho Provincial Councils would do their duty to outlying districts, by passing Acts to establish local boards and municipalities, (which the Centralist also desires,) and for the fair apportionment of tho Land Fund — which has hitherto, in tho hands of the Proviucialists, shown a carious and inexplicable tendency to gravitate towards the Provincial centres. At the end of a few years, what then will remain for these Governments to do, except to exercise as many of the functions of the presont General Government as they oan. seize. We should havo New Zealand divided into ? perhaps five petty States, which from their size.: could never rise above local jealousies and local passions, but which would be strong enough as at present, to render national life all but impossible. And where would the weak Provinces be in this strnggle for power P Does the most . cnthusiasiio Provincialist suppose that, the muoh coveted powers would be extended/xo the nine Provinces ? And how, after years of jealousy, bad government, and heavy taxation, would all this iucvitably end ? Why, by the stronger Provinces swallowing np the smaller ones, and making us a nation through mnoh illfeeling and bitterness. Sach are Ceutralism and Provincialism as I understand them. Centralism, by a gradual and constitutional development, will give us real local self-govern-ment, with a strong and healthy national life. Provincialism by a violont wrench of tho Con-, stitution would impose upon as a form of government which from the small geographical size of ' New Zealand is impracticable. We look at America aud desire to take her as our model, forgetting that what for her States id suitable i 3 from tho relative minuteness of our Provinces impossible. I find my letter has become longer than I intended, I will therefore with your permission, postpone what I have to say upon the position of Taranaki ; tho extravagancies of both Governments, and one or two other subjects. Yours &c, H. A. Atkinso-m. Hurworth, May 8, 1868.