WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3305, 23 September 1873, Page 3

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(PHOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

September 21. _ I feel a very grave sense of responsibility in writing a single line on the present aspect of political affairs. I distrust my judgment, my knowledge of constitutional precedent, the effect the contemplated policy will have on the country in the future, the chance of my looking nt the present aspect of affairs in a wrong light, the knowledge of my possessing political proclivities, all tend to prevent my general freedom of expression. It is well enough to write lightly when humors bubble to the surface of life, hut at the present period of our Colonial history the man who could do so should never write again. Of course the Premier is master of the position, and when this is said, there is nothing more to add. The country and the Colony owe too much to his sagacity and nerve, even if he this time has made a mistake in perpetuating Northern Provincialism, not to follow his lead. The benefit accruing from his policy would a thousand times more than atone for any ephemeral wandering from the paths of sound policy. If Piorincialism is to be periietuated— well, the Colony can only hope its perpetuation will be short. People who ive in Otago and Panterbnry know nothing about the mattpr. Mr Vogel the pther evening said there were newspaper Writers and newspaper writers. Well, there are Provinces and Provinces. The starveling, halffamished Provinces of thp Nprtb up more resemble pur healthy prosperous Province than the meanest hack that ever eamp from Grub ptreet and wrote sensational leaders in the Police ffnsette could he compared to those who deal daily thunder from the columns of the Time* or any other of the papers of the world. Northern Provinces are everlastingly wrangling with the pawn shop-taking in first their spare boots and clothing, they divest themselves after of their coats and vests, and, were it possible and consonant with law, would hypothecate their shirts ami stand nude among their well clad Southern brethren. They want roads, bridges, railroads, reclamations, refuges for pauper and military settlers, and have no funds wherewith to provide for their wants. Having pawned all their negotiable raiment, they come to the Government and pray that it may be returned them, go that it can be again pledged. There is no use cloaking this fact, and I should do wrong to the paper and the Province \ represent'did I hesitate to proclaim what I believe 1 to bo Die truth.' I - lifiyc : falked with numbers of people 1 bclringing fo the North on _ this Subject, amt their one universal refrain is this—“We cannot get on without.” I have in your columns before frequently adverted to the fact that Maori lands cost money to obtain. The happy days of Maori musket buying have become a thing of trio past, and either hard cash or blood have to he paid away eve the Maori of the present or the future will part with his ancestral or tribal possessions. It costs more to obtain lands by blood than cash. Rome of your readers have ideas that Maori lands can be bought or leased for a nominal price. Let them come here or elsewhere and try; and although it is contemplated a large amount of Maori lands will be bought for the Lf500,000, the result will show how far I am right.’ I know this for a fact. The Natives, in their figurative inode of speech, have locked the door.” They are forming aland league among themselves, have drafted a circular which they intend to circulate among the whole of their people, the gist of which I am not at liberty to explain. Their lands, they say, shall fetch a fair price. I will give you one instance. For a certain large block of land tuo Governmerit offered four shillings and sixpence an Uore. It Was only an indifferent block. J lie owners refused to sell. ■ A friend of mine offered six ’shillings, ■ This tdso , 10 ' fusedj the owner’ tfauting a higher pncc.

Now what I want, if possible, to evolve is this: no perpetuation of this wretched Northern Provincialism can do otherwise than militate against the weal of the ('olony. Divorce, ot course, is impossible; but some more general measure then Provincial borrowing must obtain ere the future can be wisely dealt with. There would be neither Provincial borrowing or aught akin to it, but for the one question— Maori possession of Maori lands. T his is the source of trouble in all our general policy. Otago is as much affected by the fact as Aucaland ; perhaps even more. Auckland goes to war and loses blood —Otago monc\. Taranaki goes in for a free light, and omO olonial debentures become depreciated. It is the same as wounding any portion of the body the suffering is felt through the whole. I want to put the matter plainly, but feel I am afraid to do so.