The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1753, 15 August 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1874.

The Premier's proposals to abolish, the North. Island Provinces hare already . caused the defection of one member of the cabinet, and a Wellington' correspondent, inform! us that a difficulty has occurred Between the Premier and Mr. Reynolds. By the resignation of Mr. O'Eorke we do not think the Ministry lose much, for. although, he in a gentleman entitled to the greatest possible amount of respect, and is ara politician generally consistent, he is not remarkable for the possession of any brilliant. powers. Moreover his popularity hag been in a great measure due to , his excessive caution, his dignified address, and hit long career in the House. He 1 appears to have forgotten himself alto-' gether when he took the course he did in announcing to the House his opposition to the principles enunciated by Mr. Vogel, without affording his colleagues the slightest intimation of his intention. In leaving the Ministry at a critical period he has imitated that eccentric politician,

Mr. Waterhouse. Caution seems to have deserted him for a time 1, and his conduct can only be considered as a grave mistake. The resolutions of Mr. Vogel are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but thej do not go far enough. It is only to affirm the principle. embraced in these resolutions that is sought this session; further measures to be matured during the receis. Though agreeing with the principle of abolishing the provinces ', we would wish to have a sketch of the system proposed to be substituted, and the means which are to be adopted to adjuit the difficulties which will necessarily arise by the two islands being governed under such widely different forms. The programme *t present appears tobe that if defeated the Government will go to the country. In such case the event will be decided on the cry, Provincialism or Centralism—not for the North Island only but for the whole colony. ;