The Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1870.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 524, 24 January 1870, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1870.

-$. MZans: queer things — queer opinions and queer statements — have appeared in the leading columns of the Press of late, but the queerest we remember to fcave seen appearß this morning. Our contemporary is publishing a series of articles ostensibly on the condition of the several provinces, but really with fche forgone conclusion that Provincialism is the very worst of all colonial institutions, and that this point mus^ be made out at all hazards. It is important to remember this distinction, because ifc enables us to place the ■proper value upon the writer's statements. Ifc is nofc tLe actual condition of each province that he wishes to exhibit, but as many statements against Provincialism sb he can gather from the several provinces. The "Wellington province is the subject of this morning's article, and after a good many remarks about its want of money, &c, &c, the writer surpasses even himself, which is saying a greafcdeal,byremarking — "But the most " striking proof of how completely '• Provincial institutions have lost their " hold on public favour in Wellington " was afforded afc the last election "of Superintendent. Ifc appeared to " most; people that under the present " circumstances there was no need of " a Superintendent, and that ifc would " be well to take the opportunity of " bringing the whole provincial system " quietly to a standstill by leaving the " office vacant. They accordingly de- " termined to elect no one ; and had " not Dr Featherston offered himself " for re-election, this resolve would " have been adhered to." "We venture fco think that a more audacious statement than the above has never been made about Provincial institutions, even by the Press. "What proof has our contemporary — and such a statement demands the most positive proof — that "it appeared to most people " that under the present circumstances " there was no need of a Superintendent P " Was a poll taken of the inhabitants to find out what they thought? If not, on what is the statement -■•based ? If the writer in the Press can bring forward any proof whatever in support; of fche statement we have quoted above, if be can show that he had any ground for making it, the most that can be aaid is, that he is unguarded in his lan- ■ guage. But nothing less than fche '"clearest; proof can justify any one in • •.-making such n positive statement. The • Pviss mußt choose between two posi- • tions. Ifc must either say that the -statement was deliberately made on • sufficient evidence, which ifc can pro'.(iuce, or that ifc simply represents an individual opinion, the worth of which • may be gauged by the recklessness of fche language in which it is expressed. If the Press chooses the former position, ifc must briug forward undeniable proof that— • ,- r *t. It appeared to most people that under -the present circumstances there was no need ; of a Superintendent. • .2. It appeared to most people that it would • be well to take the opportunity of bringing • the whole provincial system quietly to a standstill by. leaving the office vacant.^ *' o. They accordingly determined to elect bo one. 4. Had not D* Featherston offered himself for re-election, this resolve would have been adhered to. When our contemporary produces nis proofs we shall gladly publish them. '•*■