The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 27, 10 February 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1863.

We venture to say that this Province has advanced more rapidly since its separation from Otago, than even the most sanguine of its upholders anticipated. The idea of a Superintendent and Provincial Council expressly for Southland was good, but however advautageous the venture has proved for all parties coucerned, it remains an open question whether, with a Provincial Council differently constituted to what it is at present, far more might not have been accomplished. It is certain that at the present time the Province is not fairly represented, and, in the event of a dissolution, the constituencies would not, in some instances, rest content with their previous choice. The Provincial Council was first elected in 18GI, and it is clear that as so few changes have since taken place in it, more than half of the electors on the roll 1862-3 are virtually excluded from a voice in public affairs, for the number of electors on the present rolls is considerably more than double that on the rolls under which all the members of Council, with one or two exceptions, were elected. It was during the excitement pervading all classes of the community, consequent upon the discovery of the Otago goldfields that the first Provincial Council of Southland was elected. Men's minds were at the time too busily occupied with the great news to trouble themselves much about who got seats in the House, and a large number of voters had left for the diggings. Perhaps, in many cases, the oldest settlers are not represented. "We are aware that it may be argued that with themselves rests the blame ; and that the delay, confusion, and expense consequent upon a general election should not be incurred on such grounds. Without discussing the question as to whether four years would, under ordinary circumstances, be too long a time for a member t<* hold his seat, we would suggest that the position that this Pro I vince is in, is very different to what j usual ; y occurs in a new community. There are, in general, a number of years of comparative poverty — hard times, in fact — -to be gone through before anything like a well-established prosperity rewards the pioneers of civilisation. Now, recent events- very plainly show that in the case of Southland this apprenticeship, if it may be so designated, wi 1 be very much shortened, if only the people are fairly represented, and the members of Council exert themselves to do their duty pluckily and efficiently. There are a good many reasons for the dissolution of the Council. Firstly, because of the large additions to the population during the past twelve months. Secondly, because the present members were elected for the most part whilst many electors were absent at the diggings in Otago, and thirdly, [though we admit that this only affects some of the members] there is the fact that some of the electoral districts have undergone a change of boundaries — been subdivided — and, 'as we remarked in a previous issue, their inhabitants were most undoubtedly entitled to choose other members, if they so wished, in the room of those elected under the old divisions. Again, at the recent elections for the Oreti and Wallacetown Districts, so little notice had been given by the Government, that, in the casa of the latter, very few of the electors were aware that anything of the kind was about to take place, until canvassed a day or two previously; and in the former case nine-tenths of the constituency knew nothing of the matter Until THE ELECTION WAS OVER. We know that great dissatisfaction prevails in consequence, even amongst the avowed supporters of the Government, who would, at all events, have liked to have chosen their own man. Can the newly elected members be said to represent the constituency? Finally, there is Public Opinion, which cries aloud that the Province has not been fairly dealt by, and that any change would be for the better. It may be urged that the Council comprises all the available talent in the Province, and that a general election would see every man in exactly the same position that he previously occupied, and congratulatiug himself with the reflection that, though a " dummy," his friends were not sharp enough to discover it. Ah ! that is a poor compliment to New Zealand intelligence. We fear people south of the Mataura are not so blind. We beg our readers to look back at the history of the last six months, and take particular notice of any act of wise legislation which has been accomplished during that time, and having found it, ponder well on the circumstance, and then compare the good that act may have effected, with all the evil which has, during the same time, beerf done with so much

ease aud such very gentlemanly indifference to the wishes of the constituencies. Do the men of the Province take sufficient interest in the subject to make it- cf moment to them whether they are represented by those who have brains and energy of theivown, or by puppets, who require some one to pull the strings ere the absurd motion is imparted which gives them a ridiculous appearance of vitality 1 For ourselves we have far greater faith in the electors than to suppose they are content. We are sure that they are not; and, were the chance given them, the changes in the Council chamber would not be few. Had the suffrage been fairly accorded to the people, which it has not, we should still say thai, under the circumstances — bearing in mind the great and growing dissatisfaction which prevails in Southland in relation to the manner in which public affairs have been carried on — to di-solve the Council would be the wisest course to pursue. In writing as we have doue, we have fairly and impartially expressed the sentiments of this community. We have no personal object to serve, nothing to gain by any changes which may take place; we merely discharge a duty in bringing before the public, in a tangible form, facts which scarcely an honest man in the Province will be found to cavil at. We would, however, go one step further, and, in order that there may be no mistake in the matter, would suggest that some expression of public opinion should be elicited in the usual manner. » The latest news from America brought by the home mail is far from being of an encouraging character, either as regards an early peace or future prosperity in the Northern SL.tes. With a President and Cabinet that have completely lost the confidence of a country still professedly loyal ; armies which must be disheartened at making no progress, or disorganised by repeated defeats ; generals who rise or fall at the whim of a minister ; commanders in the field appointed today ouly to be disgracefully superseded to-morrow ; with a practically irresponsible government ; the Habeas Corpus suspended; and a censorship of the press more rigorous than that of any absolute monarchy in Europe, the present position of the North and North Western States is of the gloomiest description. In the South, on the other hand, it can scarcely be denied by even the most bigoted '•loyalist," that affairs weir an aspect which, in the circumstances, must be considered as cheerful. From all that we can learn, the revolted States have at their head a man eminently suited for the post he fills. He is surrounded by a ministry — unscrupulous it may he — but evidently possessing every necessary qualification for the emergency; and in the field their generals have repeatedly proved themselves adepts in the art of war, and, compared with whom, their opponents arc but as children playing with toys. In this, if in nothing else, will be found a source of strength and vitality to the Confederacy. They are really the United States, if the harmonious action of of rulers and people, is to be taken as an index of union. We do not hear from them of divided couusels ; there is no whisper of disaffection ; no pymptom of rash headstrong measures one week, given the lie to by weak pusillanimous efforts made the next; and perhaps better than all as a sign of firm cohesion, is the fact that those in command of the armies are the same men or nearly so, who first stepped forth to do battle for what they considered the right. At present, then, it may be assumed that the Southern States are in the better position, either to prolong the sanguinary struggle, renew it if need be, or peacefully turn to measures of internal improvement. But the future — what of if? In all probability therecognitionof the Confederate States as an indepejdent sovereignty is only a question of time, if it has not already taken place. On the other hand, supposing peace to be now proclaimed, the difficulties of Northern statesmen, Republican or Democrat, are by no means over. In the first place, the secession of the North Western Slates is a very likely event, which may plunge the whole country into another protracted war, or, if It takes place peaceably, will deprive the seaboard States of a prime means of support. Then the animosity of foemen will be too great for years to allow the victorious Southerners becoming again the best customers of the North ; and if the objectiouable Morrill tariff continues in force, the North cannot expect much benefit from the traffic of foreign countries. Whence, then, will come thefunds to replenish an empty exchequer, pay the enormous debt incurred during the course of the war, or even keep the State machinery in motion ? The people are already taxed to an extent unparalleled' — more it is hardly possible they can bear — and, admitting to the fullesi extent the enormous internal resources of the country, many years must elapse be/ore these can be realised, and even though they could be brought to bear at once, it is doubtful if that alone would be sufficient to insure complete recovery of the social system from a shock so violent. If the picture we have rudely sketched be at all an approximation to the truth, then perilous and perhaps disastrous days are in store for the descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers. Every friend of humanity will fervently pray that such evil times may be averted, but if they are more able men must have the management of affairs. When the mail left a change of government at '■ Washington was imminent, and it is earnestly to be hoped that the incoming men will neither copy tbe vaccilla- i tion of Lincoln, nor the boasting arro- ! gance of Seward. Turning to home, it 13 cheering to find a ray of light, however small, struggling

through the gloom prevailing in Lancashire and other manufacturing counties. If certain statements made in the London Economist, a journal of high standing, and an authority on the subject, are to be accepted as correct, it would seem that the dark cloud was beginning at last to show the silver lining. In the issue of the 15th November last, it is said that some time ago there were only 70,000 bales of cotton in Liverpool and prices were wild in consequence. By arrivals from India and other means the stock rose in October to 350,000 bales, and which, it was expected, would be increased by the end of the year to 400,000 bales. Deducing his argument from these figures, the writer says: — " Independent of the American crop, which, in our calculations, we put entirely out of consideration, it is now pretty certain that for the coming year, 1863, we can count upon a_supply of cotton sufficient to keen our mids at ivorlc four days a week ; aud four days a week will suffice to keep the manufacturing operatives in tolerable comfort, so far as food and clothing are concerned, if it be only equally distributed among them." A series of figures are given, showing the sources and the quantities expected throughout the year, from which the conclusion is arrived at, that after supplying the export demand, and sufficient for home consumption four days a week, not less than 119,000 bales would remain in stock to carry on in 1864. These are certainly encouraging figures ; let us hope they are near the truth, and that care will be taken to have the four days supply equally distributed. In such cases the most clamorous are apt to be supplied first, and they are not always the most deserving. Whatever the issue of the American war may be, we cannot fail to congratulate ourselves that, before long, our nearer kindred at home will be in a great measure independent of the troubles in the new world.