The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5295, 15 March 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1878.

By files of the Otago papers wo are furnished with a full test of the Premier’s speech at Dunedin. It differed in no respect from his utterances. at other places. Sir George Grey is unrivalled at flattering an audience. He told the people of Dunedin that many years ago he had formed the belief that that portion of New Zealand would form a great country. He had said precisely the same thing at Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and the West Coast. It is worthy of note that Sir George Grey uses the word “ country ” in referring to certain districts. Now there is a deeper meaning in this than what appears on the surface. People with broad colonial ideas regard New Zealand as one’ country from the North Cape to Stewart’s Island, but Sir George Grey; has persistently endeavoured to instil into the minds of the people that there was a radical difference between the inhabitants of one part of the country and another—such a difference of origin, l sympathy, and material interests, that would prevent them working harmoniously together under one Government. In fact, if Sir George Grey is correct there can be nonatipnal feelinginNewZealand. Hesaidhefelt that the inhabitants of Otago would be distinguished in many respects. That part of New Zealand was originally settled by Scotchmen, but there is surely nothing so foreign in the character of those who hail from north of the Tweed as to prevent them carrying on the glorious work of colonization under laws framed by the united body of the people of New Zealand. It is rank claptrap to say that Scotchmen have such distinguishing traits or peculiarities Of character that they had better be left to govern themselyps. In proportion to population there are far more Scotchmen in both Houses of Parliament than the members of any other nationality, and under such circumstances it may safely be assumed that nothing will be enacted in ignorance of the wishes and feelings of the people of Otago. It was a constant complaint of the Irish Nationalists that the English and Scotch members of the Imperial Legislature failed to understand the Irish people. Thera was no doubt a great deal of truth in this ; and Mr. Macandrew has more than once referred to it in stating his reason why the people of Otago should have self-governmefft. We are sorry to see a gentleman who has been twice Governor of this colony supporting the narrow views of Mr. Macandrew. There is ho analogy whatever between the case of Ireland and Otago, and it would only be insulting the intelligence of our readers if we entered into particulars- to prove the truth of this statement. An attempt is being made for party purposes to create a breach between the people of the various districts, and to retard the grpwth of that feeling of mutual interest which has resulted from frequent and regular means of communication being established between the various centres of population in the colony. After sketching the history of the. Constitution, and particularly referring to provincial institutions, which he makes out to be the bulwork of our liberties, the Premier said : —“ You are all aware that institutions of the kind I speak of were conferred upon you. You' are ail aware that for years you exercised them. You all know that those institutions led to no disasters. You had no quarrels with the province co-terminous with yourselves—nothing resembling the laws and Customs duties which separate, for’instance, Victoria from. New South Wales. No disasters occurred within the limits of this province. A development unparalleled in Itlie history of. colonisation, took place. Peace, .contentment, and prosperity -were, enjoyed by, its population such., as have, never'yet been, surpassed in any" hewly-fpuhded comiiiu l nity.” There is a vast amount of bunkum in Ml, this.., Sir' George Grey, .in alluding to the great progress ‘Otago has made, attributes'' it all to the existenna'hof t provincial; Npw, to anyone,aoquainted with the history of that, province, Sir George Grey’s words wdll -appear kbsolute nonsensei ’The discovery of, gold - in , Gabriel’s Gully was the' chief factor in the progress

of Otago. The goldfields,- not only advanced Otago a century, ' but had am immense beneficial influence bn New Zealand generally. 1 , Provincialism or no provincialism, Otago would have gone ahead .under such advantageous circumstances. No British colony; has been denied these institutions which would enable the people to advance in national prosperity.—Otago was, first, settled with a good stamp of colonists. When the goldfieldsbrolje out, an equally excellent class of men came over in thousands from Victoria. With splendid resources, and such grand human material to develope them,' Otago’would have gone ahead if provincial institutions had never been in existence. It will pretty generally be admitted that the provinces were not a success in the less favored portions of New Zealand. That provincial institutions did not materially retard the progress of another part, of the colony is certainly no argument in their favor.