The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1782, 18 September 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1874.

When the now famous abolition reiolutions (Mr. Vogel styles them, "resolutions") vrerc first proposed, it was felt that a questionable experiment was about to be made. In the South ardent provincialists viewed the resolutions with suspicion. They set up their backs at once and said, "this.is only the prelude to a further movement which will deprive us of our land revenue." This was especially the case with the Provincial parties in Otago and Canterbury. In the North Island opinion was more divided. The districts which have languished under the protecting care of Provincialism hailed the signs of change with satisfaction. It was felt that for them matters could not be made worse, and they might be better under a system of local government which would confer upon them the powers hitherto exercised by Provincial Governments—excepting the legislative functions—without being subjected to the indignity of having their means first taken from them and afterwards doled out sparingly through the filtering process to Which such means had been submitted by contact with Provincialism. There are some districts which have no particular grievance against the Provincial Government under which they! may' happen to exist; but they believe that whatever they are entitled to would be more judiciously expended if obtained without the intervention of Provincial Executives, which before now have shown themselves too exacting in conditions affixed to a grant, the right to which could not be denied. In that stronghold of Provincialism, Auckland, a decided opposition was at once roused — not to the principle of abolishing Provincialism, but tb what was looked upon as an invidious distinction; making tb« North Island tlie scene of an experiment before attempting it in the Middle Island. The resolutions provide for the abolition of Provinces in this island, the continuance of the seat of government at Wellington, and adherence to the compact of 1856, by which the land fund of "the Middle Island was secured to th> Provinces as local revenue. Mr. Vogel has in his address, affirmed that the terms of the resolutions will be sacredly adhered to, any representations to the contrary notwithstanding. The question therefore resolves itself into this : Are the people of the North Island to reject what they consider a positive advantage simply because a portion of their fellow colonists think they are better off as they are ? We say, no. As we have said before, we repeat: we should have been better pleased that any proposed ' constitutional change should be general in its application; but if it is to be advantageous to those to whom it is proposed to apply it, by all means let us take the good we can. have when we cannot have all that we would. : Mr. Vogel very plainly stated his belief that before the system proposed to be substituted for provincialism in the North Island had been long in operation (assuming that the substitution will take place) the Provinces of the Middle Island would be anxious to be included ; and in defending the resolution which secures, or proposes to secure to the Middle Island Provinces their lai*d revenue, Mr. Vogel distinctly stated his belief that the time would come when the North Island " will most bitterly oppose the amalgamation of the land revenues of the two islands." He also said "we will make such a disposition of the land revenue that ifc will not be long before the Middle Island will say, * That is a disposition which suits us, and we should like to follow the same example.'" Herein lies a distinct promise, in which we see the prospect of essentially local boards having the disposal of their land r«venue,in place of its beiug expended by Provincial Go* vernments. The land fund is not the only revenue which it is proposed to expend locally. The publicans' license fees and goldfields revenue, in the disposition of: which Provincial Govermaeats have failed to give general satisfaction, are to , be expended locally; so that in'all'but' those' districts which are favored by the [location of Provincial Governments the

application of the principle of local government in its proposed new form would be acceptable. The difficulties and. the doubts which have arisen are mainly due to tho vagueness which surrounds the Government intentions as to details ; and the only explanation we have from the Premier's lips is that an eminent barrister will, during the recess, make himself personally acquainted with tho wants and requirements of all the highway districts in the North Island' with the view of preparing a bill suitable to the country in it's altered circumstances. The difficulties are undoubtedly very great, and it w6uld, perhaps, have been more acceptable to the country generally that, before the principle of the proposed changes was affirmed, some [ outline of the system to be substituted should have been given. There is one consolation, that before the measure can become law a considerable time must elapse. Another session of Parliament will assemble ; the Immigration and Public Works policy will have further time to develope; and many and important changes will have taken place. In the interim the efficiency of Provincialism need not be impaired, but ample time will be afforded for a full and free discussion of the question which must exercise an important influence on- the future of the colony, by hastening what must ultimately result in a great change in the constitution, and the system of Government as at present existing. The Province of Auckland has vast resources in itself, and if its landed estate were only equal to that of Otago and Canterbury the feeling would be unanimous against any consolidation of the land revenue. A landed estate is being rapidly acquired, and it resolves itself into a question whether the revenue from that estate shall be administered by a Provincial Government or by local boards for local purposes. In such districts as the Thames there is no question that the decision.will be. in favor of localism as foreshadowed by the Premier.