The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 34, 6 March 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1863.

Six months back Separation of the Middle Provinces from the North Island was a subject which engrossed nearly the whole attention, not only of the newspaper press, but of the people generally. The breeze, which at first set in gently, gradually freshened until it increased to a strong gale, and terminated in a hurricane. A monster meeting was convened in Dunedin, where tremendous Separation speeches were uttered ; petitions were to be got up in all parts of the Provinces, near and remote. A salaried Secretary was engaged, and a spirited newspaper editor and proprietor offered £50 for the best, and £20 for the second best written essay on the subject. Delegites were proposed who were to visit the several towns and settlements of the Provinces to advocate the cause. The ignorant were to be enlightened, the apathetic aroused to action, the enthusiastic told how best to direct their energies, and in fine the most complete measures were to be initiated for obtaining, in the shortest possible time, the grand desideratum. All these things were to come about through the exertions of a committee, composed of " bankers, merchants, and others," who met, moved, and discussed resolutions, who put down their names for liberal contributions, besides doing many other things of a like nature. The hurricane raged throughout the length and breadth of Otago. It extended northwards to the other Provinces, but with bated violence. It was felt in the South. Like most violent efforts it was but of short duration. Its force was soon expended, and a great calm rested on the troubled waters. Separation was for a time forgotten — overlooked in the irresistible attractions of new gold areas of such richness and magnificent extent as might well call off the attention of the warmest partisans in the cause of Separation and self-government. Symptoms, we are glad to observe, are manifesting themselves of a revival of this question, paramount undoubtedly beyond all others to the permanent prosperity and welfare of the Middle Island. We have no wish to see the cause injured by an injudicious and ill-directed enthusiasm. We desire not so much to lead as to direct public opinion in the matter ; for it is only by public opinion being intelligently expressed and boldly outspoken by a large majority of voices that the end can be accomplished. We therefore have proposed to ourselves to discuss this all-important subject in a few articles presented to our readers from time to time, that those who have studied the question may confirm our opinions or may set us right where they believe us in error ; and that others, ignorant of facts, may understand all the bearings of the case as it stands at the present crisis of affairs. Precedent and analogy are generally safe guides in preparing for, and making important political changes. Just fourteen years ago the District of Port Phillip [now Victoria] stood,

politically, with regard to* New South Wales as the Middle Island Provinces of New Zealand now stands to the NWth Island. The members who represented Port Phillip were compelled to travel some six hundred miles by sea to take their seats in the Sydney House of Parliament, and when there they could effect no good, for every measure which was introduced to better the condition of Port Phillip was thrown out or out-voted by the New South Wales elected. A very large portion of the revemie derived from the sale of lands in Port Phillip was confiscated by the Sydney Government and appropriated to local purposes. Not only was the land revenue seized upou but a very considerable pro rota portion of the Customs' revenue and other sources of public income were levied on by a species of political black mail, the protection offered in return consisting of the sending a number of superannuated officials with fat salaries to see that the Port Phillipians paid their correct quota to the Sydney Treasury. Nothing might be done by any local Board, by the Deputy -Governor or his advisers which could not be vetoed, and which invariably was vetoed at Sydney. This was borne with '' patience and long suffering," until the evil swelled*to such a magnitude that one universal cry burst forth, and a stern, unflinching determination was expressed from the Murray to the seaboard, from the west coast to the farthermost boundary of Gipps Land, that such a stat:) of degrading political bondage should last no longer. At first only such representatives were elected as would pledge themselves heart and soul to advocate the separation of Port Phillip from New South Wales. Such representatives were ersily obtained ; indeed it would have been difficult to have found others of a different creed, but their voices were drowned and their votes wero outnumbered by the New South Wales members. Then Port Phillip turned sulky and dangerously determined. Finding that sending members availed them nothing, in fact was only an expeusive farce, the electors finally refused to send forth representatives, but promptly adopted a new, and as it soon turned out, a successful course of action. The people of Port Phillip petitioned the Home Government, and after a short but severe struggle obtained all they asked for. Separation was granted in despite of counter petitions and representations from New South Wales; Port Phillip [then for first time named Victoria] was released from all its thraldom, and obtained what it had so long fought for — a complete disunion and a constitution which it now enjoys and has so many years flourished under. Is this a lesson which the Middle Provinces may profit by 1 ~We think so. It is a mere waste of time and energy to ask of the North Island wttafc it is very certain the North Island Legislature will never consent to. The only course is to do that which another colony has done so successfully and with such happy results — make application to the head-quarters of the home government, uud let them understand that our interests are being sacrificed to an alien power, and that we no longer intend that the benefits of our vast resources and the results of our industries shall be absorbed by the people and government of an island which is geographically and politically' as distant from us it is from auy other colony or settlement in the Southern seas.