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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 28 August 1880, Page 2

The ghost of a question that for years agitated the Colony and occupied the attention of Parliament during several sessions is to be raised by Mr. Vincent Pyke. The irrepressible member for Dunstan has given notice that he will move the following as an amendment on Supply : —" That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that the Northern and Middle Islands of New Zealand be created into two sepai-ate colonies ; that, with the view of effecting sp_c]i separation, a Commission should be appointed to consider and report on the allocation of the colonial debt, and the conditions subject to which the duties of the Customs and postal and telegraphic charges shall be allocated to each Island. That a message be sent to the Legislative Council asking their concurrence, and inviting that branch of the Legislature to appoint a committee to confer y/ith the Committee of the House thereupon." Of course, the object of the hon. gentleman is perfectly clear. He is sorely annoyed at two actions of the Ministry, and adopts the promised course as a means of retaliating upon the Government. The almost complete shunting of the Strath-Taieri railway, Mr. Pyke's pet scheme, first raised the indignation of the worthy member. This has, however, been followed by a still more annoying circumstance, not alone to the honorable member for Dunstan, but to the whole of the Southern members who really represent their constituents, The impounding of the 20 per cent, of land fund hitherto paid to the County Councils inflicts a gross injustice upon the South, while the North, as usual, is favored. This, wo take it, is the main cause of Mr. Pyke's contemplated action. That the motion will be seriously entertained at this late period of the session we do not believe, and the whole outcome of the proposal for separation will be to afford members an opportunity of entering a further protest against the unjust action of the Ministry. To aim a parting shot at Ministers and hurl some threats at the Northern members, is probably all that Mr. Pyke hopes to succeed in doing. We can scarcely believe that he eptertains the slightest hope that the motion will be agreed to, or that it will be seriously entertained now that members have made up their minds to return home.