The Weekly Times. “Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri.” MONDAY, 22nd APRIL, 1867. THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 16, 22 April 1867, Page 92

The Weekly Times. “ Nullius addictus j urare in verba magistri .” MONDAY, 22nd APRIL, 1867. THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

Election matters in the neighboring province of Auckland seems to have revivified, at least for a time, a political organisation that we had believed had died out aud should have been heard of no more. Our files..per Lord Ashley inform us that a meeting of the Council of the above association was held on the afternoon of the 12 th instant, at which an auditor’s report was submitted, and a draft report of its proceedings, intended to be presented to a public meeting to be held at a future date, was read by.the se-

cretary.

By the auditor’s report it appears that, after paying all expenses, the association has in hand a balance of ,£lO ss. 10d., the receipts being put down at i>l63 11s. 4d.

The draft report of the secretary refers to the fact that at the last elections for the Provincial Council and the General Assembly, the question of insular separation was made a special point, inasmuch as it issued an address to the various constituencies recommending that a pledge of unanimity of action should be taken from each candidate, and that, with but one exception, such pledge was given. That in addition, through the exer tions of the association, various petitions were presented to Her Majesty, to both houses of the Imperial Parlia ment, and to the House of .Represen . tatives. That a London committee was formed, provided with a full statement of the Auckland case for circulation amongst the members of Parliament. That a special effort was made to induce : the. Imperial Government to : send otit ia Commission of without success,further

than that the Council are assured that the Imperial Government will bd~Viliing to ratify such change in the constitution of the colony as may be recommended by the General Assembly. The report further informs us that the chairman, of the association convened a meeting of tlie electors of the Franklin district, to consider the course taken by their representative in failing to vote- with his colleagues in the House of Representatives. That his conduct was disapproved of, and himself requested to resign his seat, but that he failed to comply with such request.

We are next informed of a change in the policy of the association, whereas during its first year of existence it did not attempt to define any boundaries for the proposed Northern Colony, leaving it to the other three provinces of the Northern Island whether they would unite with Auckland or not. During the past year the persistent opposition of the representatives of those provinces to the scheme has removed any sufficient reason that may have existed for such policy, and establishedthe necessity of soliciting the co operation of the Southern Island in obtaining insular separation. ’

In accordance with the above change of policy, a series of resolutions were adopted by the Council, and forwarded to their representatives, then at Wellington, who accordingly met, and after considering them, decided to move in the matter, and recommended tjie Council not to call public meetings ou this or other questions during their absence, ben.ee the Council have abstained from further agitation for the present on. the subject of insular separation.