The Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2222, 21 June 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1870.

Mr Reynolds has given notice of a motion which is not likely to be carried, however desirable the arrangement may be. It is in effect to establish separate governments for the two islands. The abolition of Provincialism is tacked on to former Separation resolutions, we think unwisely, as it would almost as a necessity follow the adoption of such a scheme of government. This therefore, instead of adding to the possibility of the motion being carried, will tend to prevent it. Nothing is so likely to invite opposition as the introduction of too many propositions into a motion. The abolition of Provincialism is in reality a detail that docs not belong to the General Assembly to meddle with after the principle is affirmed that the two islands shall have separate Governments. That done [internal arrangements must be left to each island. Local government is a mere subordinate matter, and whether one island remains dinded into Pro-

vinces and the other be parcelled out into road districts or counties, is of no importance, so long as such federal representatives are appointed as the terms of Separation prescribe. We consider the project now-a-days too late, although not the less reasonable than it was seven years ago. The interests of the inhabitants of the two islands are not identical, and Northern difficulties cannot by any means be considered over. Nothing is more evident than that peace in the North depends upon the men at the head of the Administration. Mr Fox has had, in some respects, greater difficulties to contend with than Mr Stafford had. That gentleman’s Executive had boon culpably remiss in preparative and precautionary measures. They had peace in their hands, but invited war. The present Government took office when the Stafford Administration had perilled the welfare of the Colony upon the success of an expensive, ill-assorted, ill-conditioned, imperfectly-disciplined rabble, dignified with the name of troops. That they won the battles they fought, was owing to superiority of race and arms, as well as to the skiltul manner in which they were led by Colonel Whitmore. But the price paid for victory was enormous, and each successive step taken in Mr Stafford’s system of aggressive warfare involved heavier proportionate expenses* No matter how heavy the bill of charges of the Fox Ministry may be, from the nature of the case it cannot be more than a fractional paid of what the Stafford war budget must of necessity have proved. The storm has subsided, but Northern expense must still be kept up, and so long as there is not a distinct recognition of the extent of Southern liability, the revenues of the South must continue to be spent upon Northern improvements. It is on this ground that separate governments are essential to impartial justice. There are always Middle Island representatives who from different motives support Northern abuses. A dock at Oamaru, or a jetty at Waikouaiti, or some other attempt at throwing money away for the present benefit of a few storekeepers, or even mere jealousy of the growth of a City which from natural advantages must prove the best ■market for the produce of a district ■that grudges every expense laid in its improvement, often tempts an adr verse vote to the iuteiests of the Middle Island. It cannot be expected that members of Parliament can be agreed upon all matters of detail, even were they today aside personal or-local interest for the general good, But .41 the North Island, every motive that might lead to exceptional support by a Middle Island representative, of an Executive favorable to Northern in- , terests, is present with each membei. They may be divided on subjects which affect the North—they may differ as to whether Colonel Whitmore should lead his drunken, ragged followers fco victory, or whether Mr Branigan should organise a reliable and elective force of picked men at one-thiid ot the expense. They may squabble about the continuance or discontinuance of a- system of wartarc that, whether expensive or not, adds ultimate value to their pvopert}, In opening up roads and exterminating their enemies ; but on this they aio all agreed, that whether police or soldiers, the Colony must pay for their protection, and for any roads or clearings that can be lugged into the class of works necessary for defence. This is what we always protested against. The claim is founded on a fallacy. Wo arc told that the cost of a war of defence against internal enemies is a Colonial charge. Now this would be true were tins whole island subjected to a common danger. When the Highlanders marched through Scotland and readied Derby, in 1715, there was every probability of their ravaging the whole United Kingdom. But the case is widely different here. Were every Northern Native to join Te Kooti, the Middle Island would still be in no danger, and the Northern Colonists would bo ultimately and speedily victorious it the men united as their forefathers used to do for personal service. No amount of sophistry can prove the danger a common one, and since it is local, the expense should be localised too, Otago has to pay its own police, and the security thus given to life and property renders it a desirable place to live in. The consequence is that the value of every estate is increased, and so it is with the North Island, Tim cost of the armed Constabulary, of every military road, of every expedition against insurgent Natives, is for local pi election. It does not follow because the area of the North Island is large foi a police district, a different system should prevail from that adopted in smaller areas. We know it is the fashion to call large armed enterprises war, and small ones piracy or robbery ; but this ; difference of name does not alter their character. What we wish to show is, that since the Northern members are united to a man in a common interest to appropriate revenue for Northern

purposes, and since through a little logrolling, some Southern members are foolish enough and wicked enough to consent to such misappropriation, there can be no security against it until the evil is prevented by the adoption of separate Governments, Until that is done no security exists that Otago’s revenue will be spent in Otago or tor its interests.