South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2625, 19 August 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1881.

SECOND EDITION

Moke waste of time. Mr Macandrew has given notice that lie will move that with a view to greater efficiency and economy in the Government of New Zealand it is expedient that the colony should be divided into two provinces. Coc-it Strait is to be the dividing line. Compared with the importance of Mr MacandrewV resolution, the Representation Bill pales into insignificance. Insular separation is an old fad of the late Superintendent of Otago. It is an oft-repeated remark that Mr Macandrew holds firmly to the belief that Otago is all New Zealand, and that he himself is the only man fitted to rule Otago. His sham, narrow patriotism has always been repugnant to the members from Canterbury, who can fairly lay claim to be the most colonial of Parliamentary representatives. Of the fourteen members who represent this provincial district we are not aware that there is one who sympathises with Mr Macandrew in his separation ideas.

In fact there are very few who view his political character with any favor whatever. There is, of course, not the slightest prospect of insular separation being adopted, for that is what the carrying out of the resolution would amount to. It is true that the motion does not aim at the abolition of the General Legislature for both Islands. But the latter body would simply be a puppet in the hands of the two great Provincial Legislatures. In times gone by the Superintendents ruled in Parliament, and Mr Macandrew was not the least of the Superintendents. Hailing from the most populous province in the colony, he had always a goodly following at his hack. If Mr Macandrew could manage to get elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the South Island, what immense power he would wield. Certain functions are to be reserved to the General Assembly. Customs duties, the Telegraphic and Post Office departments, the alteration of the criminal law so far as regards indictable offences, marriage laws, and a few other matters of a general nature are not to he directly dealt with by the Provincial Legislatures. The latter bodies are to have the sole control of the railways, the waste lands of the Crown, education, and all departments of government with the exception of the Supreme Court, Postal, Telegraphic, and Lighthouse services. It would be waste of time to discuss the improbable. Mr Macandrew’s motion is certain to go the way of previous resolutions of a similar nature. An amusing part of the motion is, that “ the Government be requested to he prepared to give effect to the proposals ; such Bill to be submitted to the next Parliament within one week of the commencement of the session.” The Hall Ministry have proved themselves to bo a most accommodating body of gentlemen, hut we hardly think they will swallow the nauseous leek attempted to be rammed down their throats by such an obnoxious opponent as Mr Macandrew.