The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5427, 19 August 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1878.

Whenever a minorir.y in Parliament has been dissatisfied with the action of the majority in the settlement of any great colonial question, in which the interests of a particular locality may have or be supposed to have suffered, a petulant cry for disintegration of the colony has usually been immediately raised. When the seat of Government was removed from Auckland to Wellington, Auckland cried out for separation from tho rest of the colony ; the idea was then taken up in other portions of the islands, but it was rather as a party movement tending to embarrass the Government of the day, than with any sincere desire to give to Auckland that which Auckland cried for, and was supposed really to desire. The records of the Parliament of 1860 are full of instruction on this subject. From that period, as the evils of tlm Provincial system began to bo felt seriously, the question of separation in a new form cropped up, taking the shape of a proposal to merge several Provinces into one, and thus to make each island a Province under the Constitution Act. When the Provinces were abolished in 1875, and even after the people at a general election had, by an overwhelming majority, ratified tlm decision of the General Assembly, the discontented minority in the House of Representatives in 1870 again had recourse to the old expedient, and, under the leadership of the present Premier, Sir Geokcb Gp.ey, attacked the unity of the colony. There was then a very memorable debate extending over many days between the 3rd and Uie IGth August. Upon tho question being then put” “ that there shall be two local govern- “ ments, one for each island,” it was decided in the negative by 47 votes to 32. Upon tho question “ that the seat of the “Colonial Government remain as at “ present at Wellington, 55 the votes were, ayes 47, noes 30. Upon the divisioiUist on this resolution, amongst the “noes 55 wo find tho names of Sir George Geey, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Maoajj’dbbw, Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Stout, all of whom are members of the present Ministry. These facts are of Parliamentary record, and it will not be easy even for the most eloquent talker to rail tho seal off such a bond or to alter tho significance of these facts. It will, we think, become evident that these resolutions represent fixed principles on the part of those who voted, and that the Ministers whose names we have given hold that separation of the islands is desirable, and that the seat of Government ought not to be at Wellington. Now we have heard so many complaints—just and well founded complains—about unfulfilled promises, that it is but right and fair to record all such exceptions to the rule of negligence or forgetfulness as come under our observation ; wo feel bound therefore to admit that Ministers have shown a disposition, as far as at present practicable, to give effect, in office, to the obligations imposed on them by their speeches and their votes in regard to the two resolutions which we have quoted above. There has been a silent, but strong, and persistent, effort made since the last session of Parliament so to divide the administrative system in several departments as to eliminate its general orcolonial character. The way is thus prepared, as far as possible, for that separation of the islands which those members of tho Ministry whose names we have mentioned as voters on tho division lists upon the motions for separation and for change of tho seat of Government from Wellington, must believe to be necessary for the general interests. _ The fact that the purpose of their action is contrary to tho declared policy of tho majority of the representatives of tho people in tho Assembly is nothing to “ a “ strong and united Government, having “ definite objects in view. 5 ’ Tho most prominent instances of this administrative action which present themselves are in tho departments of Colonial Defence, of Public Works, and of Stores. From each of the two first the colonial character lias been, as far as possible, taken away, and there are now a North Island police system and a South Island police system ; there is a South Island railway system and there is a North Island iailway system j for the general charge find inspection of stores there is substituted, as we are informed, a local system under which each department gets and accounts for what it requires, independently. The avowed object of all tlieso changes is economy; whether or not that object will be attained remains to bo proved. The figures on tho Estimates are not proof. It lias been deemed advisable, in the first instance, to got rid of several officers to whom it was necessary to give largo bonuses by way of compensation for loss of office, and only time can show truly the economic results of these changes. Politically, these changes have tho evident effect, by localising administration in each island, of preparing tho way for the desired changes—separation of tho islands and removal of the seat of Government—which arc tho objects of tho resolutions wo have already quoted. The question of the division of tho colony, “Insular Separation 55 as it used to bo called, is being now raised in tho lobbies, and will no doubt bo heard of in tho House, and out of it, before long. Wo are warned in the usual mysterious way from a distance that a new gospel of payin" for public works out of land sales, ° and not by loans, is to bo speedily preached. If wo are prepared to believe that tho people of tho South Island, in which only at present there is any land revenue, will be content to see a share of their estate devoted to public works in the North, such a proposal might bo regarded without uneasiness. As matters stand, hovvovoi, tho design of tho now policy may be to enlist local selfishness in the groat work of bursting np and of destroying tho unity of the colony, and in establishing separate Governments at Dunedin and at Auckland, with a weak federal link which would break at tho first strain. Wo have done our duty in giving tho note of warning. The question of insular Reparation and

consequent removal or loss of the seat of Government is one in which Wellington has a largo local, as well as a broad general Interest,