The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2991, 19 September 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1872.

We think Mr Mac Andrew did wisely in withdrawing his resolution for separating the Islands of Now .Zealand into two Colonies, although the interests of the North and Middle Islands differ so materially that the local measures which may he very applicable to the one Island may lie altogether un.suited to the other. There are, however, general principles of law, and some hir°e common interests, that are best consulted hy retaining the Colony intact; but it is highly advisable that such a change should be made as to ensure the strict localisation ol expenditure. It must be plain, from the extract .published from Mr Ormond’s speech yesterday, that this step is as necessary now as ,it was four years ago, when money was flowing out in payment for war that ought to have been spent in reproductive works in the Middle Island. It must he self-evident that what we have stated many times j is strictly and absolutely true, that so j long as there are unprincipled men who j have anything to gain by Maori dis- j turhance, attempts will be made to | incite them to discontent and insubordination. The safety of the countiy, the lives of their fellow-colonists, the property of others, are of trifling account to such men they would saciitice them all, if by so doing a few thousands could he put into their private pursegj. The Middle Island has borne with this selfishness too long, and has nurtured it by feeding it. Let it once be known thatarich man will allow himself to he imposed upon, and a host of swindlers are always ready to pluck him. In times gone past, the greater part of the colonists of the North Hand j were directly or indirectly interested in keeping up a war. Some looked to making money one way, some another, by its continuance. All that was wanted was a paymaster, and one was found in the Middle Island. ibis would never have been had there been unity of purpose among its members. The misfortune has been that there has been no singleness of object with them. Otago was against Canterbury, and Canterbury against Otago, whilst Nelson was notoriously against both, and was in spirit identified with Northern views. The late division shows that time has not made our representatives in Otago, one jot the wiser. It is very difficult to comprehend what motives have led to the course taken hy the majority of our members; but the eonwt/tueneios must blame themselves if they kie whipped with scorpions. They have trusted many who have never given the slightest evidence of ability for public business, and the best remedy now is, if possible, to place a harrier to theii adverse influence by rendering impossible the wasting of Middle Islam! revenues upon Northern greed. The tide for the present has changed, and the development of gold mining in the North Island has given the colonists a more decided interest in favor of peace , but the leaven is there still ; there Is a hankering after the good things in the Honih, and a determination to have them at any price. The motives that induced ‘the Wellington members to withdraw support from the Fox Administration of necessity form the price of support given to Mr (Stafford : a very pretty earnest of the principles upon which his Government may ho expected to bo conducted. The very fact of Mr Fox’s Government refusing to grant the demand of Messrs BuNsy and Fitziieruert for a material benefit to Wellington, and of their at once going over to Mr Stafford’s party, is a suspicious circumstance. It was virtually setting a price upon their votes, although personally they were only remotely interested. The surprise is that

Mr Stafford should under the circumstances have accepted Mr Fizherbert s services in his Cabinet. To say the least, it is treating very leniently what should be considered a grave political offence, and it is a very poor guarantee for affairs to be conducted with integrity and purity of purpose. The looming danger is not only Native disorders, but the appropriation of the Middle Island land found for general purposes. It is known that there is a leaning in that direction in the minds of some leading men in the Lackland North Island Provinces ; and this fact was sought to be met and counteracted by Mr Macandrew’s proposition to divide the Colony into two. We think Mr Reynolds's motion for financial separation may be made to meet the case, and if so, it will be more acceptable and more easily carried than the more decided measure suggested by Mr Macandrew. One way or other security against spoliation is needed, and it is marvellous how calm the people of Otago are under the circumstances. Their very apathy is an invitation to fleece them.