THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 162, 23 May 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1862.

The great difficulty which the advocates for Separation have hitherto been under is to find some one who would venture to take an opposite view of the question. Hitherto the argument has been nearly all on side. No one has come forward to dispute the justice of the separation asked for, although there was no doubt that, from selfish motives, people would be found who, in defiance of the justice of the cause, would attempt to defeat it. ,At length, however, the Anti-Separationists think they can delay no longer, and with them also have appeared in the field those cautious individuals who make it a practice to bide their time before declaring on one side or the othei-, and, meanwhile, express their approval of both sides of the question. Thus, in the latter category, we find articles in the Nelson Examiner and the Canterbury Press, to gather from which the true indication of the writers' opinions would puzzle the ingenuity of a " Philadelphia lawyer." But, however, we must reserve for a future occasion/ the discussing the views expressed in the two journals we are alluding to, and for the present content ourselves with dealing with the bold champion of the Anti-Separationists, the Southern Cross, an article from whose columns we present to our readers in another part of this issue.

It will be seen that our contemporary professes to find it "rather an amusing occupa- " tion to turn over his Southern files," but his amusement appears to be of rather a bitter description, since he by no means evinces much joviality in his after remarks. It is scarcely necessary for us to say thatthe scanty quotations which our contemporary makes from the article from the Duihj Times which he professes to criticise, do not adequately express the whole tenor of the same. We have never advocated separation on financial grounds alone, althongh since our contemporary invites it, we hold that these by themselves, are sufficient to justify all the desire for separation that the people of Otago and of the bulk ofths Middle Island entertain. The financial considerations which we stated, and which were enforced by calculations, went to show that Otago was contributing about fifty per cent, of the entire cost of the government of the two islands.— That a large portion of that cost which was expended in native affairs, was really without the slightest interest, either to Otago or to the Middle Island. The advantage of the cost was appropriated by Auckland, inasmuch as that favored province enjoyed the benefits of a government almost entirely denied to the southern provinces.

We showed moreover that the prosperity not alone of Otago, but of the whole of the provinces of the Middle Island, was, progressing in a remarkable manner, and, —although we did not say as much then, we may say so now,—the late Census returns show that Auckland is getting on at a very slow and tedious rate. But how does our contemporary dispose of the financial view of the case, soberly stated and borne out by figures. He thinks it prudent to avoid an argument, but falling back upon- the wellknown principle, that figures can be made to prove anything, coolly states, without denying the correctness of our calculation, that he purposes putting " the same figures into another shape soon." We confess we were rather surprised at this announcement) and began to reflect into what other shape the figures could be put. Happening to glance our eye over another part of the paper, our doubts y/ere speedily solved. We goon ascertained that our contemporary is remarkably ..proficient in the art of mnking figures prove anything. As a sample of the process, which

by the bye, is a tolerably safe one, because, a.s a rule, figures are generally accepted by readers without question, we commend the following extract to the notice of those who are versed in statistical calculation : — Let us now turn to the social nsprct, and see among ho-.v many souis tlieso eomnioditus valued at £2,493,tt1l (the amount of the imports for the curiencyear; Imve been <nvidcd. The European population of the three islands forming the colony of Now Zealand, including the military, in December 1800, ~ni. tinted to 82,919 souls. Taking the returns of preceding years as a gumc, we would estimate «-ur inc.ieaso at nliont 18,000 ; but perlmp* it would be safer m Hsstmie the ppiiiKineiit increase at 40,000 souis ; iv lSlil, w2;rcli would give a total of—s;iy 125,000. The Maori population may l.'c taken at 55,ij0u souls; and I they nppcm1, judging from the returns, to have fallen oif as con? tuners of imported goods. Supposing our estimate of population correct, and adding the Maori to the European as joint consumersj the expenditure would be nearly £14 per head per annum for every mail, woiKcn, and child iv the colony. But this calculation would be a manifest fallacy; and we must therefore reduce the chief consumers to the European population, which, allowing for children arid infants, gives us somewhat like a weekly average, expenditure of 20s. for each adult. The words we have italicised are the results of the calculation, and on them are based subsequent reflections on the prosperity of the Colony. A weekly average of 20s. amounts to £62 iv the course of the year ; and as the total imports on which the calculation is based amount only to £2,493,811, it follows that the number of adults is computed at considerably under-50000. But the total of European population is admitted to be 125,000 souls. So that the calculation, deducting the adult males and females, supposes there to be out of the 125,000 upwards of 75,000 children and infants. Surely New Zealand must be a prolific country ! But the calculation does more—it supposes that the Maories do not consume auy imported articles ; and worse, in the most inhuman manner, it supposes that the children and infants are allowed to remain unclothed and unfed— since none of the imports are set apart for them. It is easy to understand how a journal that can turn figures ,to such a result as this, and then argue upon the result as if it were a reliable one, should have a great contempt for the figures in other journals. Our contemporary evidently adheres to the maxim ne sutor ultra crepidctm, and supposes every quoter of statistics, to ba a cobbler of figuresApart from the contempt expressed for the calculation of the Daily Times, the only other positive argument against Separation which the article contains, if, that Otago in discussing Separation, is displaying ingratitude and ignoring the receipt of past favors. What those are the Southern Cross does not very clearly state. It speaks of " obligations to the Northern Island," and hints that these consist, in.i Otago not having .iv past times subscribed its fair quota to the general revenue. As this is a matter of fact, it admits of disproval, arid we will shortly take the opportunity of showing that Otago ha 3 always suffered by;its connection with the Northern Island. But supposing the contrary were the case, supposing that Otago in times past had benefited by, its connection with the Northern Island, this would still be no argument against giving it that which is its due now. A school boy should know more of political economy than to suppose that places or counries can hang together with satisfactory results with no other bonds of union than ties of gratitude. The language adopted by the Southern Cross sufficiently rebuts any presumption that might be raised that the benefits, which for argument we will suppose Otago formerly derived from connection with the Northern Island were bestowed on it out of kindness. The Northern Island saw, or fancied it saw, the benefit of the connection, and as it spent scarcely anything on Otago, every sixpense of revenue it derived from it was gain. Otago is now in the position that Auckland formerly was. It is just as injurious to the inhabitants of Otago to be now governed from Auckland, as it would then have been for Auckland to have been governed from Otago. The question of Separation in New Zealand, is of a somewhat different character to that which it has assumed in other colonies. Usually it is from some weak and undeveloped portion of the colony that the cry for Separation arises. But here, the demand for Separation is made by that portion of the colony which, in every respect, is the most wealthy and important. The cause of this difference is easily explicable. Owing to the difficulty of dealing with Native affairs, the seat of Government of the two Islands united, must bs in the Northern Island; and whilst it is made the seat of Government, the weaker portion of the colony is onty too glad to hang on to the stronger.*' But were the Northern Island placed cm its right footing, were it condemned to see the seat of government in the Middle Island, it would then be in the same position that the Middle Island was formerly to it. From it the cry of separation would arise, the Middle Island could mete out to it the same measure of justice that formerly it received from it. No doubt it must be a very bitter thing to Auckland to find that it cannot maintain the supremacy with which it set out. It may sneer at Otago, because it owes its prosperity to the discovery of its auriferous resources, and, because its progress has been so rapid, but these very two circumstances which excite the coutemptof the Southern Cross, are sources of pride with Otago. It is delighted at the golden wealth which it can count upon s a resource, and it is delighted to think that it has progressed with singular rapidity. The Cross says, the people of Auckland had long been aware of the hidden wealth of their own Province, and certainly it may be added that it is not their own fault that the*wealth continues to remain hidden. In an access of contempt the Cross stigmatises the Otago gold as " red gold." We are not aware that it is particularly red, at any rate such as it is the people of Otago arc quite content with it. The Cross towards the termination of its effusion, becomes rather " bounceable," and talks about " insisting" on the settlement of claims which it alleges Auckland has against Otago. We can only say that the advocates of separation expressly make it a condition that the Middle Island shall honorably settle all equitable claims the Northern Island has against it. We do not say to Auckland as we might, Reproach for benefits received, Pays every debt, and cancels obligation. /

islic we say tins, Whan you have rucountsd o'er the numerous gifts Your boiiiity ltivi.ihsJ T.:i us, ami lviuuiiibur next l'hu iujuriua we have dnie you, let u< know tliem ail, And we will make you simple reparation. T!ie Port Chalmers Regatta has, in consequence of the inclemency- of the weather, bt-en -" postponed fiom Saturday to Monday, and entries will be received up to 12 o'clock, noon, to-mor-row. The informers who laid some twenty informations against various siorekeepers, and owners of refreshment tents on the diggings for illegally selling liquor, have it appears, thought diseretiim ihu better part of valour. As they did not know liio names of several of the persons who wereeharged with the offence, they were informed they would have to accompany the policeman and point out the parties on wham the summonses were to he served. Not liking this portion of the duty, they have we leani, decamped, and wisely, for it is said that there was more than a bare possibility of their being assaulted, and perhaps seriously injured. Our gold fields correspondent informs us that one of the sluicing parties commenced to washuf) the other day, and obtained from crevices in the | rock leading to the sluice boxes over 50 oz. The jutting portions of the rock form natural cavities or riffles, and when it is time to clean up, the deposits so retained are carefully scraped out and washed. In the present instance, the stuff from, which the gold was obtained; was scooped front the crevices by the aid of an ordinary table spoon. We learn from our correspondents that the weather on the goldfields has for the last few days been quite as rough as it has been in the neighborhood of Dunedin. This weeks' escort it will be observed is a tolerably good one, but it is more than possible that the interruption of work caused ■; by the inclemency of the weather will have the effect of dimishing the escort of next week. The Port Chalmers Regatta, it will be noticed* has been postponed until Monday, further time being allowed for the entry of yachts and boats for the different races. It would seem as if we were never to be right about the case of the children of the unfortunate debtor, Harris. We received yesterday, a letter from Mr. M. A. Lee, of the United States Hotel in Walker-street, from which we extract the following paragraphs:—" In this morning's paper I observe a statement in reference to Harris's chH. dren, which, I beg to state, is altogether incorrect Instead of the Government providing for them as stated by you, I beg to inform you that the following is a true statement of the case. The Government has so far provided for them as to give me £15. The said children have been now over six months in my care ; during that time I have fed them, clothed them, and sent them to school. Not only them, but also to the unfortunate children of Mrs. Allen, who were with me for over one month, and I never got a cent from Government for them. I do not publish these *acts for the purpose of getting praise, but only that the public may sec a true statement of the