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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4780, 18 July 1876, Page 2

The negotiations which have been going on between the Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury members since the commencement of the session culminated yesterday in a meeting of as many members of the Opposition as could be brought together. Thirty-six were in attendance, and the platform adopted is separation. Prom what we hear we believe the Opposition party are overcalculating their strength, and that were a division taken to-dny many of the thirty-six who met yesterday would be found to pause before they said " aye " to such a suicidal proposition as separation. The meeting also decided to have a trial of strength on the debate which, commences this afternoon. It is to be hoped it will be so, and that in place of dark rumors and threats a specific motion of no-confidence will be brought forward on the question of separation. The Government have nothing to fear; the country will never endorse the scheme, and the sooner the matter is settled at once and for ever the sooner will the House settle down to its work of building up institutions under which New Zealand as a united colony must prosper.