184

It is humiliating to reflect that, while this Province has been materially the backbone of the Colony, contributing as it does about one-third of the Consolidated Revenue; it has been, politically, a rope of sand, allowing itself to be kept in leading-strings by a political system which has had little knowledge of and less sympathy with its interests and requirements—a political system the relationship with which has been to repress the progress of the Province and to swallow up its resources.

Gentlemen,—There can be no doubt that a radical change is required in the political framework of the Colony as it now exists, and if this change would only take the right direction, happy would it be for all concerned.

It was a disastrous day for New Zealand when the policy which dictated the "New Provinces Act, 1858," presided over its destinies, and I am persuaded even now, difficult although it may appear to be, that the wisest thing that could be done would be to fall back upon the Constitution and allow the respective Provinces to rely upon themselves; limit the central Government to purely federal action; let each Province have the uncontrolled disposal of its public revenue, from whatever source derived, contributing its share pro rata towards the maintenance of the central power, and towards the payment of the debt for which the Colony as a whole is now liable.

Were this policy adopted, the Provinces in each island would gradually and spontaneously merge into each other, and the apparently irreconcilable idea of a great and united Colony, and at the same time practical financial separation between the two islands, would be realised.

We should moreover be relieved to a large extent of that enormous departmental expenditure which is yearly assuming more and more gigantic proportions, and swallowing up resources which might be more beneficially applied,—expenditure which in a great measure is at present practically beyond the control of the representatives of the people.

It may be said that these views are now impracticable, and that it is too late to entertain them. I venture to think, however, that nothing is either too late or impracticable if the people will it.

It should not be lost sight of that most of the absolutely necessary and primary functions of Government are now being carried on by the Provinces.

Surely it is only reasonable that before committing political suicide, and relinquishing the powers which now possess by means of the existing Provincial organizations, the people of the Colony should know into whose hands those functions are to be hereafter entrusted.

If they are to devolve upon the Central Government, all experience goes to prove that they will neither be better nor more economically performed than at present.

If they are to be entrusted to Road Boards, not only will the cost of administration be enormously increased, but it will end in confusion worse confounded.

You may depend upon it that the real question with which the Colony ought to grapple is not Abolition of Provinces, but the question of Finance—a more equitable appropriation of the public Revenue among those by whom it is contributed—the reduction of the cost of administration without impairing its efficiency. I am well assured that under the peculiar circumstances of New Zealand Colonial Administration will give us neither.

The great problem which we in the South have to solve is how best to hold our own, which we certainly shall not do by renouncing the local self-government which we now possess. From first farthing of which has been expended within the Province, and it is because the Abolition of the North Island Provinces, must, in my opinion, stereotype the continuance of, and render worse this state of things, that I express myself so strongly upon the subject.

No doubt I shall be jibed with the "Great-is-the-Diana-of-the-Ephesians" argument, by those who cannot conceive it possible for men to be prompted by principles of political action different from their own.

I can assure you, however, that were this the last day of my official existence, the opinions now expressed are those which would be honestly held by me.

Gentlemen,—Hoping that your deliberations will conduce towards the best interests of the Province, I now declare this Council open for the despatch of business.

J. MACANDREW,

Superintendent of Otago.