The Invercargill Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 20, 23 December 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1863.

Southland cannot afford to be an idle spectator of the efforts that are being made to settle two questions of immense importance to it. As avowed Separationists, we feel a deep interest in the recent proceedings in the General Assembly with regard to the removal of the seat of Government. The Ministerial proposition for a LieutenantGovernoraod separate executive officers has been rejected, and, in its place, resolutions have been passed in favor of the removal of the seat of Government. The supporters of this last arrangement regarded it as the only measure calculated to stifle the cry for Separation ; while those who opposed it declared it would inevitably result in the partition' of the Colony. At present the question remains thus : — His Excellency is requested to refer to an impartial tribunal the decision as to which port in Cook's Strait's affords the greatest facilities for the administration of the government of the Colony. There has been a great parade of impartiality by the supporters of the resolutions, but the tactics of the party are too transparent to admit of any doubt as to their tendency, or as to where the greatest -political influence will be exerted in its favor. " A place in Cook's Strait's,'* means Wellington, and we are quite certain the majority of the members who voted for the removal of the seat of Government contemplated no other ultimate selection than that of Wellington. Of course the proposed reference to the Governors of the Australian Colonies was thrown in to enlist the individual hopes and ambition of the Nelson and Marl borough- members. " We are at a lpss to understand how so very palpable a dodge should have been successful. But ambition is generally blind, and Nelson and Marlborough have wil/ullv shut their eyes to a trick which to every .one else is as transparent as possible, '--"^WV/C^'iGiily 'account for the votes of the Nelson and Marlborough members by such a supposition.

Doubtless the Wellington members were ready to vote -for anything calculated I to advance the interests of their doll iand depressed tiity, without reference to the '■. requirement of tjie [Colony; but how are we to account for the votes,, of the Canterbury and Otago members, particularly the latter ? The Canter >ury people have latterly cried out loudly for the removal of the Government to Christchurch, as the only thing Calculated to promote the gOod" government of the Colony; — or rather of the Middle Island — and it is somewhat surprising tbat their repre • seritatives should ignore the claims of their own Province and support those of .Wellington. Jealousy of Otago, or, strictly speaking, of the new Victorian element, is nodoub at the bottom of this for, granted a sub- Executive, or a separate Government, for the Middle Island, Otago would probably exeit tbe preponderating influence. But what shall we say of th« four or five Otago members who -opposed the Ministerial plan, aud supported the Cooks' Straits idea ? We find amongst them at least one who has avowed himself aS^parationist, who — if we mistake not, was a member of the Separation League, and on several public occasions, haa spoken in fa or of Separation. Mr Reynolds has undoubtedly betrayed his constituents, and we hope ib.ey will, on his return, call him to account. Major Richardson and Mr E. B. Cargill have not supported the Separation movement, but they have on every occasion, when the topic was discussed before the electors, expressed an opinion of the necessity for much larger facilities f or tbe government, of the Middle Island. Because they fancied the appointment of a Lieutenant-Governor and a distinct Executive was a step towards ultimate Separation, they opposed theMiuisterial proposition — one which would the uearest approach to local govern meut without destroying the unity, of the Colony. Surely none of these honorable gentlemen really expected that the simple removal of the seat of Government to Wellington would satisfy their constituents ? If we have formed a right estimate of the Otago electors — and particularly of that majority which will soon be entitled to vote — they will protest against the compromise which hjs been effected. Depend upon it tl c Wellington arrangemont will, more than ever, strengthen the Separation cause ; for, in addition to the supporters of Separation in the South, we shall now have the active aid of Auckland. Already we have symptoms of this in the columns of the Auckland journals, and in the League which has been formed. It is not to be expected that Auckland will quietly submit to play second fiddle to Wellington. Of course it was evident to everyone that the government of the Colony could not be satisfactorily administered from Auckland, and the Auckland members, convinced of this, and yet desirous of pieserving the unity of the Colony, were prepared to approve of a separate Executive for the Middle Island. Obviously that was the only measure, short of Separation, calculated to satisfy the requirements of this section of the Colony. An unscrupulous cabal has defeated this arrangement, and we are offered one that means, as Mr. Yogel said in the House, " the mismanagement of both Islands." As far as the North Island is concerned its present circumstances, and its future necessities, call for very great attention, and as we may expect that North Island affairs will necessarily occupy the chief attention of any Government located in that part of the Colony, that Government should be placed where its presence aud action are likely to be most required. No one can be so blind as to suppose that Wellington will supply the necessary conditions. Auckland is already connected by water and roads with the very heart of the Native districts, and will be the key to the numerous military settlements it is intended to establish, while Wellington is as practically remote as Nelson. The altered circumstances of the North Island will require prompt and constant attention, and yet it is gravely proposed to locate the Government where the administration of its functions must of necessity be attended with delay, — delay, which is at all times dangerous, and often fatal. From Auckland only, can the Government of the North Island be properly discharged, and we shall be much surprised if the Governor will, for a moment, entertain any arrangement, which would remove the Government of the North Island from its natural and political site. We can scarcely treat of this matter from a Middle Island point of view, as, although the removal of the Government to Wellington will expedite the Governmental arrangements of the Middle Island, s£ill, when we consider.that this will be purchased at the cost of the misg"overnment of the North Island, we are almost inclined to say, " rather bear those ills we have, than fly to others that we know not of.'' As an integral portion of the Colony, and contributing three-fourths of its whole i revenue, the Middle Island is vitally interested in the good government of the North Island, particularly when the immense debt to which the revenues of the Colony are pledged is remembered. Whichever way we regard the subject, Separation confronts us as the only arrangement calculated to meet tbe necessities of the two Islands. Our Aucklat d brethren see this, and are prepared to go hand in hand with the South to procure it, anc£ we look upon it as certain that Separation will be obtained at no very distant date- The sentimental view of those who talk about destroying the power of the Colony and such like rubbishy may be very poetical, but it

is- fax "frqtn 'beijig practical, or possessirig the\ merit of common sense. Mr Domett talked about the weakness and ultimate destruction of Rome and Greece by state divisions," but bow he could compare, a youn-j: dependency, which is even now indebted lo foreign aid for its safety, with the two" most powerful and' warlike, nations of ancient History, is more than our limited knowledge can tell. We had intended to refer to the Panama Service and the selection of the port of call in New Zealand, but we must defer ourremarks on that subject until a future time.