PROVINCIALISM.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 122, 21 October 1874, Page 3

PROVINCIALISM.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sir, —There has been a great deal said about Provincialism and General Government. Now, sir, I am one that likes Provincialism if they would keep within moderation, and not increase their Provincial Governments when their work is decreasing day by day. The General Government makes our railways, and the Road Boards make our roads and build our bridges. The General Government also, either does, or ought to do our harbor works. And that being the case, what has our Provincial Government to do ? As regards public works, if any one will look at the engineer's department, and see their small staff and the little work they have to do, he will have a sufficient answer. And now, sir, while our Provincial work is decreasing, our Provincial Government is increasing. Since Mr Kennaway left office, our governing body has doubled itself. The Government buildings are now too small for them, and the Secretary for Public Works has an office outside the buildings, with a very large staff. Now, sir, I think that the department of the Secretary for Public Works should be somewhat in proportion to the engineer's department. Any other large engineering firm with a secretary and one assistant, is sufficient for a very large engineering staff. The department of the Secretary for Public Works is about four times too large for the work that has to be done. They have to make work, and made work is always mischievous, the office is full of confusion and disputes, and black tape. If any one

wants to see the Secretary for Public Works, he is handed by one of the clerks a pen and ink and paper, and requested to sign his name and the tenor of his business. This document is handed to another, who signs it, and to a third who initials it, and to a fourth who takes it to Mr Williams, and then he sends his lackay with it to the great Secretary of Works Well, sir, the answer travels back somewhat in the same way, and the .applicant is informed in a whisper that the Secretary for Works is busy, but will see him in half an hour, and if he gets introduced within the day he is lucky. Well, sir, I have several times been one of these unfortunate individuals who has had occasion to see this great man, and each time I got into his office he has put me in mind of an old owl that sticks himself on his back in a corner, ready to pick or scratch anyone that approaches him, disputing and objecting to everything and everybody, and so causing constant disputes and irritation, and in this way he finds work for his office. But, sir, it is only a professional politician that can make work spin out in this way. A new chum would soon work himself out of a job, and very soon reduce his great office doAvn to himself and a boy. Now, sir, your readers will have seen in the Lyttrlton Times an article advocating professional politicians. T should not wonder if our our great Secretary for Public Works wrote that article. But, sir, it is these professional politicians that are bringing our Provincial Governments into such utter contempt. In the offset I said I believed in provincialism, and so I do ; and I well remember our present Superintendent saying that if he could have a seat in the Council as Superintendent, and act there as the chairman does in a Road Board, he could then conduct the business of the province quite well with the assistance of six good clerks, and I believe he could, and that that sort of provincialism would be appreciated. But that would not suit our professional politicians. And now, sir, I will conclude by saying that if there is one man more a professional politician than another, it is our great Secretary for Public Works, so much so that it would take a very clever man indeed to keep him out of a Government billet. Yours, &c, A MODERATE PROVINCIALIST.