POLITICAL—GENERAL.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 5

POLITICAL— GENERAL.

The chief events of the month has been the meeting of the General Assembly. The business as yet disposed of has been simply preliminary. Still important subjects have been broached, which are yet to be disposed of, and other matters of vital interest to the Provinces mentioned. The question of questions, however, will be that of Separation. Auckland desires Separation, but the representatives of the other Province's of the Northern Island do not appear disposed to join the Auckland team, and tlie v Southern members are divided in opinion ; we therefore think that it would be safe to predict; that any motion brought forward upon this subject, will not receive general support. A change in the system of the General Government will be insisted upon, but the nature of that change it is impossi ble to foreshadow. His Excellency the Governor Sir George Grey opened the Assembly. His speech, like most ' vice-regal productions, it is a very safe and meaningless oration ; still, it gives sufficient data, combined with the opinions vaguely expressed by the members of the Executive during the late elections, to justify some comment. As usual, the native difficulty is the burden of his song — the native policy is the only to[;ic that he appears to have thought worthy of more than a tew passing sentences. On this question his Excellency has been frank, though not explicit. He congratulates the colony on the successful operations of General Chute, gives a slight review of war operations and achievements since the last session of the Assembly, and shadows forth the probability of more troubles to come — contingencies which may arise, and must be provided for in consequence of the removal of the troops. With diplomatic vagueness lie intimates that the prestige which lias for ages been attached to British troops was lost during the command, of General Came-rox, but has in a measure been regained by the energy of General Chute. It is the old thrice told tale — Exeter Hall vapor — the Maories who during the past stopped at nothing that was brutal, and are to be pardoned and petted, and again let loose, to renew their operations. He says : — " The East Coast operations are an unbroken success. Penitent rebels have been, restored to liberty, but the ringleaders have been temporarily transported, and the murderers dealt with by the civil tribunals. He hopes that through perseverance in this policy of kindness, ;ind firmness, to complete the pacification of the country. We should have thought that even Sir George Grey had learnt by this time that if the Native difficulty is to be overcome — if the rebellion is to be ended, it must be crushed out by sharp and doci-ive fighting. The coaxing and imploring, the feeding and clothing policy, has been followed until the resources of the colony have been impoverished, debts contracted, that will hang like a millstone round the neck of the colonists, causing for very many years heavy taxation and discontent ; yet this is the policy which Sir George Grey is evidently determined to perpetuate. The Native war, it is clear, will be carried out with the same indecision which has marked the past and procrastinated its termination to the present time. The Chatham Islands, it would appear, are only temporary penal settlements — that the prisoners there have only been temporarily transported, and therefore we may conclude that should a flimsy peace be contracted, the Maoi-ies are to be set at liberty to hatch fresh schemes for war. This is most unsatisfactory ! If the war is to be terminated it must be by action, " quick, smart and decisive." The influence of the large-hearted, amiable old ladies of Exeter Hail notoriety must be exorcised from the governing mind ; or, we shall still have to face difficulties, and carry on a slow and harrassing war which may continue for years. This question is evidently chief of all in the mind of the Governor, and it is of great moment to the colonist. What is to be the future war policy ? Not the smallest intimation is given of the proposed scheme of relieving the Middle Island of future war expenses by arranging for each Province to fight its own battles. The other topics of interest appear to have been but slightly touched upon. The opening of the Panama Mail Service is referred to as a matter for congratulation and legitimate pride to New Zealand and New South Wales. He informs us (what we have long since known) " that telegraphic communication is to be established throughout the two Islands. The goldfields are alluded to as having maintained their character for productiveness. We are assured that rigid economy in all departments of the Government is exercised, and that the improved credit New Zealand has received in the Home market, as evinced by the recent sale of debentures, is matter for congratulation. These are mere common-place, sterotyped nothings, that can be taken for what they are ■oorth. The next two items, however, are of considerable moment, viz., — a revision of the tariff, and the imposition of Stamp duties, and a consolidation of Provincial Loans. We have no particulars as to the nature of these measures ; all we hear is that they form part of the Ministerial programme. The Press, it is clear, has convinced the Government that in a semi-populated colony the adoption of an Income Tax would be the absurdity intensified. There is no tiling to indicate in what way the fiscal system is to be revised. . If it is proposedto increase the duties On the necessaries of life, considering that the colonists of New Zealand are the heaviest taxed of all British colonies, it should be universally and determinedly opposed; but, a3 to the question of stamp duties, there cannot be two opinions as to its being a legitimate augmentation of the revenue of the colony. The most important item, as far as Southland is concerned, is the proposed consolidation of Provincial loans. If this is a measure to place Provincial debentures on an equal footing with Colonial debentures, it would be greatly for the : benefit I of the j'rovim:-"''-

"We need not go more largely into the subjects alluded to by Sir George Gbey's opening speech until the Ministerial programme is exposed ; still it is certain that the greatest possible attention is required on the part of the people of the Middle Island as to the proceedings in the General Assembly during the present session. The Northern members are solemnly "pledged to act in unison, private opinion has by consent been locked up in the safe of tlie Auckland wirepullers, and the mechanical politicians have all learnt one step and one motto — the pivot of their creed is — the South pay, and the North reap the harvest. To obtain this, they are bound hand and foot to leave no stone unturned, — no logical arguments or statistical reason can move them ; they are pledged and they will redeem their pledges. The Southern members have no unity of feeling or sentiment. A careful analysis of the expressed opinion of the various gentlemen who have been elected can lead to no other conclusion than that there can be no united action unless there is public activity and prompt expressions of political opinion brought to bear upon every member by his constituents when important questions, are to be debated. Southland, beyond all other Provinces, is called upon to be watchful, active, and persevering. The Chief Secretary (Mr.STAFFOBT>) has declared against Separation, and Mr. Whitatceb has given notice of an intention to move resolutions that if passed will virtually give the Province of Auckland a separate Government This is not likely to be carried. If any Separation takes place, it will be that of the two Islands and not that of a single Province.