THE Thames Advertiser FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1875.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2102, 23 July 1875, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1875.

The Superintendents are .at bay. Through the proposals of the Government they have been driven into a corner, and have now no alternative but to fight bitterly for their political lives. They, will probably make every possible effort to gain time', and try to put off the question. of Abolition for another jeav, until the constituencies have had an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the proposals of. the Government, in the hope that some other question may iu the meantime come to the' front arid save the provinces from utter annihilation. This, in brief, is the programme of the Supeiintendental party, and if they find their policy ineffective or,, unavailing, then we may expect them, or some of the more rabid members of . the phalanx to change their tactics, and show a considerable amount of factious opposition. . . From a telegram, in another column: it will be seen that the Ministry have' now mustered up sufficient courage to, "go for'' tho Abolition of all the provinces in New, Zealand. It,is said that there has been some "misunder-' staiding' as to the meaning of the; Governor's speech on this question, but; we think that the Government could have made the people of the colony : understand that their Abolition Bill; would not apply to the North Island > only, had they desired to do'so, But' j now having felt the pulse of the House/ Jthey feel secure of their position, and are taking a bold stand.- \ !

At the last session, of the Assembly, it will be remembered thai when Mr Vogeljbrougbt down his resolutions ho" made many fair promises about respecting tho land--.fund of. the South, and keeping the provinces there in ex-i istence for a time. His first resolutions, as passed by the House, read as follows That this:' House jR of opinion that taking the circumstances of the colony into''consideration the Provincial form of Government in tho North Island should bo abolished; and that in the measuro giving effect to the same, there should also bo included a provision declaring "Wellington to bo the seat of Government of tho colonyj and for continuing tho localisation of tho land revenuej in [accordance with what is. known as tho Compact of

1856." This resolution was carried by forty-six to twenty-one votes, but tbo Ministrjr appear to have taken very little, notice of it in compiling their Abolition-measuro, as they .• have a /Land ftund Bill ready to present to tho Houso which purposes to' take tlio land fund and virtually make it colonial revenue. No doubt a portion of this fund will bo localised and used for the benefit of the district in which tho money is raised, but tho balance is to bo expended in opening up tho country and introducing immigrant?. This proposal will undoubtedly l'aiso ft powerful opposition in the South, and will probably be the means of losing the Ministry, a few votes. But tho Government have nothing whatever to fear if their measure should provoas comprehensive aud liberal as it is represented to be. The Road Boards and Municipalities are to be" subatiutially endowed," and certain departments will be placed under the control of the General Government, and'tbo colony will have to provide the funds "to administer such departments. The substitution of a simple and inexpensive form of local government for the prosent costly provincial system will in itself provide a considerable sum for tho onclownient 1 of' local bodies, whilst tho balance will come from tho local revenue which has hitherto been regarded as provincial revenue. This, we imagine, is thecssenco of tho Ministerial programme, and there is every chance of the policy being accepted by,the colony. Wec'annOtjhowever,see why theGovcrnment should longer delay tho passing of the Abolition Bill, aud wo sincerely hope that they will force it through the House, despite all opposition. Last year, when Mr Vogel's resolutions were passed, he Explained as his reason for not proceeding further in the mattor that he had no wish to carry tho measure into effect hurriedly, because it might lead to a precedent of surprise, iind the.people themselves- .should have an opportunity of expressing their opinions. A year has now elapsed, and yet it is urged that thero has not been sufficient tinie for tho electors to bake-up their minds upon the question. Another year's delay is still required by, the' Provinciallsts, and jafter that they will' still ' deraaud a further postponement. If their cries are listened to thoro will be no abolition at all. \