The Globe. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 663, 4 August 1876, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1876.

It is generally understood that Ministers will have a small majority on the Separation question, scarcely large enough, we are afraid, to give them n working majority in the House. There is no use disguising the fact that Parliament will have, during the present session, a most difficult, as well as allimportant, question to deal with. Provision will have to be made for the good government of the country, in the face of a falling revenue and overstrained credit. From what source.

then, are we to obtain the necessary means to pay our way with ? It is plain that fresh borrowing is for the present impossible. Nor any reduction in expenditure which might be effected, however necessary, meet the pressing difficulty. The ouly resource left is the land fund. All the proposals before the House at present come pretty much to this when carefully examined. We have already pointed out the effect which the Q-overnment proposals will ultimately have. The Separation resolutions of Sir George Grey are an attack upon the land fund of the colony in another form. From what source will the Middle Island derive the £625,000 per annum, the sum fixed on as her share of the interest and sinking fund on the colonial debt ? The greater part must come out of the land fund. If, as a united colony, we cannot pay our way without resort to that source, how can we possibly do so separated ? No one will surely pretend to say that the cost of Government will be reduced by the creation of two additional sets of machinery. If no material reduction can £be made in the estimates now before Parliament, they must be increased rather than diminished when two other Parliaments are called into exiatance. If the advocates of Separation see their way to any material saving, why have they not the patriotism to come forward and endeavor to effect it, without attempting to upset the Constitution of the Colony? We are afraid other motives than the well-being of New Zealand are at work in connection with this movement. And we warn our readers that Separation can only have one result as far as Canterbury is concerned. If it is carried into effect, not only will her land fund be plundered to pay the North, but the balance will be divided amongst her impoverished neighbors in the South.

Winter evening readings are very popular in Lyttelton. In spite of wet or cold the Colonists’ Hall is well filled every alternate Friday, and a few pounds more are added to the funds of the Colonists’ Society. Last year a seventy guinea piano was bought by the society out of the sixpences collected at these entertainments, and it is expected that this season a very respectable account will accrue. That these entertainments have a beneficial effect is undoubtedly true. Many who attend would no doubt otherwise spend their time in lounging about billiardrooms or other places of public resort, and it is quite possible that many, by hearing amusing readings and good songs, may be tempted to try what they can do in one of these directions, and so find a rational means of enjoyment. In a small town like Lyttelton young men, more particularly those whoso parents are non-resident, have indeed a dull time of it. Tired with their work they go home to their lodgings at night, with a strong desire for some relaxation, and the Thursday night when they go to Christchurch and return by late train, is their redletter evening. There is little society, and if they are not members of some of the Friendly Associations, or have a hobby they can ride alone, what are they to do? If, however, they can be made to take a strong interest either in music or elocution, a constant occupation is found to excel in either, continual practice is required, and a generous emulation with others is aroused, tending to benefit all concerned. Unfortunately there are a set of people who attend these entertainments for the express purpose of criticising, and too often ridiculing, those who have taken the trouble to endeavor to entertain them. We need hardly remark that nearly all these critics are grossly ignorant and utterly incapable of doing anything themselves, because it is a truism that such people are those that grumble most, but we do wish that they would remember that they not only hurt the feelings of many ladies and gentlemen who take great pains to please them, but prevent dozens of those who might give pleasure both to an audience and themselves, from ever coming forward at all. diespect for the feelings of others is one of the first duties of both men and women, and when the want of it closes a healthy and harmless field for recreation, much harm ensues. Even supposing that occasionally there is cause for ridicule, mercy should be shown, for who is not absurd at times?