PERTINENT EXTRACTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 327, 1 June 1869, Page 2

PERTINENT EXTRACTS.

{From the Press of 1867.) Speaking of the Timaru and Grladv Btone Bill, the Press of Sept. 2(}f said : — The provinces must by degrees die out, and new institutions must be provided to take their place. It is wise policy to look to the future, to cease from the vain attempt to -tereotype existing forms of government, and to make such gradual alterations to suit tbe altered circumstances of the country as will allow the old system to glide imperceptibly into the new without the necessity of any sudden and violent change. The Press of the Barae dato also said : — We do not, however, support the Tiranru Bill solely because it affords the best means of quieting the discontent, and meeting the reasonable demands of the people, of south Canterbury, but also because it is the first beginning of a system which we have long advoca'ed, and hope shortly to see carried into effect. We hope to see the province divided into several such districts, each with its own Board and its own permanent endowment. We regard that as the nntural development of the principle on which provincial iyistitutions are grounded — tke necessity of local administration of local affairs. As io the earlier <la^ Bof the colony some local form of government was required for the management of Provincial affairs, which were certain to be mis-manHged by the Central Government, so, as settlement baa spread wider and wider, as fresh centres of population have sprung up. and out-settlements have b-en fo: mcd, these latter stand in just the same need of local instituiions for the management oj their local affairs, which are certain to be mis-managed by the Provincial Government. Again referring to the Timaru Bill, the Press of Sept. 24, said : — Every form of Government, no mitter how admirable it may be in theory, or what good service it may have done in former yeirs. if it ceases to work well iv practice, and to satisfy the wants of the people, m ist be reformed or abolished, as the case may require. Writing about the Bill for the separation of Westland, the Press of October. 1, said : — Fiat justitia ruat caelum. Whatever the connequences to the rest of the province, the Assembly would act most unfairly to the .people of Westland if it refused to comply with their prayer. Separation from Canterbury is shewn to be a matter of vital necessity. For how can the resources of the district be properly developed, how can the barest justice be done to T its requirements, so long as the province with which it happens to be" connected avowedly depends upon i'.s revenues to Bave itself from tbe jaws of bankrupt?/ -.? --> ... • . y