Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 183, 28 June 1862, Page 5

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Daily Times.

Mr. Editou, —From your statement in the paper of the 10th Iti-t., it appears that the exports from Otatto are double the amount of tin other Provinces of the Middle Jslaud; next come the unnorts, paying duties from which the principal part of the revenue is derived. lam not at present, in possession of correct information on this head, but as the exports fii-e donble" those of the other Provinces, I may safely assert that the imports will bo two-thirds above the other four Provinces. The miniug population, and 'in fact, most on the diggings are for from being members of the Temperance Society ; but those who are charitably di posed will allow them a glass to keep out the cold of a New Zealand winter ; but whether they do or not, the consumption of liquor will not be diminished, either winter or summer. It would be imagined the diggers had taken example from the Portuguese, who wear a thick cloak in the winter and summer, saying that what keeps out the heat, keeps out the cold. Add to liquors, the duties on tobacco, tea, and sugar, and you will find that diggers, and those who"inake their living by them, are the principal consumers of articles paying the revenue. Otago in old days, is not Otago in 1802. Formerly I understand some sapient individuals sent a petition to Auckland to prevent any English comiug among them, stating that this Province was to be a Scotch settlement; now there are all nations, and most of them are now a-days posr sessed of that tact, which was of old said to be peculiar to the Caledonian, viz : " That let him but get his head in, the rest of his body would soon follow." The number of old colonists of ISGO, will ere the end of 1862, be not more than equal to one-fourth of the population of Otago. Now, sir, is it at all probable that when the majority find their money going to Auckland to support a Government with which the connexion only results in inconvenience and loss, ■will they tamely submit to this modest way of picking their pockets? The Separation petition will be signed by 99 out of a hundred of those I have mentioned, and uo doubt pounds, shilling, and pence, will have due weight with many of the "old identity," who know better the value of a *' bawbee" thaa the diggers. That Auckland should not look with a loving eye on our efforts to throw off' the golden links which bind "us to her, is not to be wondered at. The precious metal with which we are fettered is' our own, so that •we are worse than the criminal in-this respect; for Government finds handcuffs in the one .case, whilst we furnish our own. There may be some difference in the metal ; but the honor, as I have heard which royal favor accorded to some of <he old grandees of Spain, of being shot with golden or silver bullets, is in my opinion equally as unenviable a lot, as if dull lead were employed. Fetters, whether of gold, silver, iron, or steel, are fetters still, and to get rid of them as soon as pos;ible is inherent in human nature. Let us, therefore, not cease to agitate the question of Separation, till the voice is echoed from one end of the Province to the other. It would be, eventually, to- the interests of both Islands that they should acquiesce in out wish to dissolve a partnership which is no longer agreeable to us. The law provides that at a certain age the power of the parent over the child ceases. Let us leave it to our common parent to decide whether Otago has arrived at the age of maturity or not; the decision of the Home Government will not he influenced, by the opinions of the sister Island, as the interest they have in Auckland in continuing to get the Otago gold, which we could applv to much better purpose here, must and will be too apparent to the Ministry to require elucidation. Mr. Adderley, who will have most, to say on the matter, has already stated,—" That he regreltxl the very subordinate situation assigned the Provincial Legislatures. . . . The natural features of the country were an argument for each Province to manage its own affairs." We will, therefore, for the present, take leave of our Auckland friends, with whom I should'wish to see a bond of mutual union exist against all foreign enemies, and who, if they required assistance from us after a separation took place, would, if this he amicably conducted, find in Otago that sympathy which ought to exist among all the colonies of the southern hemisphere. The visionary ideas of New Zealand nationality entertained by an " Old Colonist," areadreani not likely to be even realised. That'.a general bond of union should exist between the whole of the Islands in the South Seas, particularly these islands—Few Holland and Tasmania —for mutual defence and support, is more feasible, and may be carried out iu our times. I allude to the protection of our coasts by a joint navy, but for mnny years yet I think the wooden walls of Old England will be our sheet anchor. But, as far as tho views of an " Old Colonist" are concerned,they would be about ripe for execution some hundred years hence.

A word of advice to our sister Provinces may not now be misplaced. Otago has been the first, to enter into the field-for Separation : they are at liberty to follow, and if willing, to co operate. Be it so, or not, Otago lias only to petition for a separation by herself ;""her population and revenue are such as to render'her application almost sure of success. From the revenue now going out of the colony, she can " pay for a Governor of her own, appointed by the Crown. Mr. Adderley's opinion is founded on sense and reason ; let each province if they wish have a Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of their own; but let the Governor of Otago be a military as well as a civil Governor, who, in case cf field operations being requisite, could coinmand the united forces of the island ; and surely our neighbours would not object to this, as lie would bejio expense in his double capacity; either to them, or Otago, his salary being only the same as that which would be given to a civilian. Every Province should dispose of its own revenue within its own territory in such a manner as they may deem most conducive to their interests.

It appears from the facts I have previously stated, that by a, general Government, if the funds derived from all the Provinces were at is disposal, Otag'o would still be the loser. The auriferous country here is of much greater extent than_ is generally supposed .1 have heard of extensive diggings, which would by the account given by those who have tried them, pay ten shillings a-day to any one who would keep steadily at work ; but our gold miners are only to be compared to the monte players in bpain, who will stake their last shilling on a chance. The hopes of making a fortune out of one or two holes is too great a temptation when placed against 10s. a-day, certain, without the anticipation of at once gaining an independence. It has been known at Gabriel's Gully, that many have abandoned claims which were paying one pound per day ; others have gone into them and realised some hundreds of pounds out of them... hi many instances, the original sinkers_ have gone trying all round and done nothing, verifying the old proverb, "That a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush;" but I believe that the time is not far distant when all land that will realise ten shillings per day will be worked by persevering diggers, who have at their cost learnt that half a loaf is better than no bread. If the tardy and hesitating policy which the other provinces wish to adopt, is allowed to influence Otago, it may be years before anything effectual in the way of Separation be effected. Consequently, let this Province act for itself, and above all, in case of any joint action, let the primary consideration be to carry it out in such a way, that each Province shall have the control of its own revenue. One Governor of the whole Island in civil affairs would, in my opinion, be the source of continual irritation : but should the majority of opinions be against my views, then let each' Province pay her respective share towards the General Government, without giving anything to public works, roads, or anything else out of their own Province. • J. S, Rowland's Station, River Olutha, June 20th, 18G2.