The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 50, 1 May 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1863.

It is a favorite assertion with the opponents of Separation that the advocates of that movement can adduce no fresfh reasons for the changes they desire. We are told that every article and every conversation of which Separation forms the subject is but a repetition of what has been urged on previous occasions — that, in fact, the arguments in favor^ of Separation are exhausted. Admitting that to be true, we contend that the Separationists 'have already made out a very fair prlma facie case, and that instead of calling continually for fresh proofs that the Middle Island would be better as a colony by itself, it would be more becoming in those who wish things to remain in their present unsatisfactory state, to set themselves seriously to the task of investigating what has already been brought forward in favor of this radical change. Granted that there are no further arguments which can be found in support of a Separation policy; the question is, have those which up to the present lime have been adduced been satisfactorily disposed of and refuted ? We say, No:; and it appears to us that this very repetition and continual dinning of stubborn facts into ears which seem to be sealed against the truth, is about the best course which can be adopted to brin<* the contest to a successful termination. The Separationists may have but a few pieces of artillery at their disposal in the fight, but they happen to be remarkably good ones, and will not he injured by constant use. In one respect, however, the arguments in favor of Separation may be considered as multiplying themselves day by <day and hour by hour. Under existing arrangements Middle Island affairs do not as a rule receive that prompt attention which they deserve, and wfcich it is natural to suppose would be given them if the Middle Island had a Government of its own % but the separate instances of this neglect, each one of which may be considered an argument of itself, are daily multiplying, and furnishing farther grounds for discontent, and a stronger desire for change. There is a certain section of the press in the colony which, whilst violently opposing the disunion of the two Islands, is ready to admit that the grievances complained of are real, but can be remedied without such a bold and decisive step being taken. We do not see how that can be accomplished. The cause must be removed, and in this case that is simply an impossibility without a total separation from the Nortb. With a Government at Auckland whose attention is almost entirely taken up with the management of mismanagement of the Maori population, the unhappy dwellers in the South are left to do the best they can. Provincial Governments may exert their powers for the interests of the people over whom they are placed ; they may make laws, and in various ways endeavor to push their respective Provinces ahead ; but their hands are tied, and their Ordinance! lie neglected

for months on the shelves of the General Government, who are engaged on a problem which the end of the present century may, perhaps, see satisfactorily solved. The governing of the Maori population of the North is interfering to a serious extent with the governing of the white population of the Middle Island, and the latter are called upon to contribute in hard cash to that which no more concerns them than do the affairs of the blackfellows of Australia. Absurd as it appears to ignore the justice of a cause because new arguments in its favor cannot be continually found (the old ones not having been disposed of), it is equally unreasonable to, urge as an argument against it that its originators, and many of its principal promoters, are to be found in Otago. The opponents of Separation would have us believe that this cry haß been raised by that Province as a little private speculation for its own aggrandisement. Otago, it is said, wishes for Separation only that she may attain that political importance (as the seat of Government, to which she fancies herself by her vast mineral resources, and by the fact that within her borders is to be found the largest and wealthiest industrial interest Hi New Zealand. Now, if Separation would be a good thing for the Middle Island, it matters not in what ! Province the originators of the scheme ■ are to be found ; and as to Otago having taken up the cause of Separation for the well defined purpose of becoming the permanent seat of the New Government, we can. only say that is simply an assertion which has received no proof whatever, and is put forward by the antiSeparationists for the purpose of throwing discredit on the movement. For ourselves, we should prefer the seat of Government to be in some other Province than Otago, and it lias as yet to be seen whether or not she would 'be willing to accept of Separation on those terms. We think she would. Naturally, every roan in i Otago would gladly see Dunedin the head quarters of the Government ; but the same might be said of the settlers of any part of the Island — each would wish to see his own Province promoted, as it were, to the first place, but it does not follow that each, would make that a sine qua nan in his acceptance of Separation. The Otago Separationists are honest in this matter. They are advocating a course which would do away wi*h many grievances and abuses, and doubtless, if there was a general expression of opinion to that effect, they^would be willing to see the seat of Government at Christciiurch.. This question should be discussed on broad and liberal grounds. It is not whether the seat of Government in the Middle Island should be in that place or this — that is altogether a consideration of secondary importance, but it is whether Separation would be of great and permanent advantage to the Middle Island. The Separationists say, and say with truth, we are paying more for being governed, and are not being governed half as well as we should be were Cook's Straits the northern boundary of the colony ; we are put to needless and vexatious expense and delays by the present management of affairs ; we have been called on to bear a proportion of the burden of a costly and badly conducted war, and are liable to have to do so again, and if that calamity should be providentially averted, we shall still be called on to pay heavily for the government of a race with which we are connected in no way whatever, and thus our progress is retarded, for the revenue we might offer as security for loans for peaceful and reproductive objects, which would advance the island rapidly in wealth and fimportance, is being diverted from its legitimate channels.