NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES. SOUTHLAND.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 13, 19 May 1864, Page 6

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES. SOUTHLAND.

The "Daily News," of the 11th instant, speaking of the prestnt state of things, financially and politically, pays:— "The dead apathy of the puDlic continues. The mysterious reserve of the Government remains unbroken. All life and animation are suspended. In the midst of a crisis that calls for the exertionB of all men possessing a stake in the country, or having a natural interest in the prosperity of the land they have adopted as their abiding place, it is impossible to disturb the profound public slumber. Philantrophio movements die out because there is no man of godly earnestness to take them in hand. Enterprises for the revival of the prosperity of the Province fall still-born to the ground. Because, although there may be some enthusiastic fool to launch them, there is no one to press them forward to the stage of practical action. Public credit suffers; a panic prevails in the commeicial world; the most sinister rumors are afloat as to the impending stoppage of our Public Works. Who cares ? The fatal apathy and want of heart that prevails we cannot hesitate to attribute to the attitude assumed by the Government towards the people. Certainly, the impression in the public mind is, that they feel no interest in affairs; that they are content to carry on a Joff-trot system of administration ; that they have no pulicy ; no great end to aim at Jf they would only prove themselves the Ministers of progress, put themselves at the head of the people, and— themselves inspired by a genuine faith and zeal— call upon the public

to co-operate with them in developing the wealth and resources of the Province, a new life would be kindled amongst us. But we might as well try to extract fire from ice, or to quicken the life-pulse in statues of stone. There seems not to be a principle of faith or a real living man amongst us."