The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 531, 1 August 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1866.

The Assembly is fairly in harness a.id j the session promises to bo a stormy a a j well as an important one. JSo actual j legislation has been accomplished, still the bell note of a confict has been sounded. The question of Separation has been brought forward, and sufficient opinion elicited from the Gi-overiiinenc to lead to the conclusion that any proposition to disunite the colony will, from them, receive no quarter. We expected no other result. There never has been any unity of feeling or sentiment between the Southern and the Northern Separationists. The Northern advocates of Separation are almost exclusively confined to the Province of Auckland, and experience has taught every Southern politician that the grasping proclivities, which from the first period of the colonization of New Zealand has been the chief characteristic of the Auckland politicians, has grown .with their growth, and strengthened with their success. As long as the seat of Government could be kept, as long as the war could be continued, and the people of Auckland reap the benefit of a large war expenditure at the expense of the other Provinces, they were, to a man, opposed to Separation in any shape — the loudest of all declaimers against the dismemberment of the colony. But now that the seat of Grovernment has been removed to a more central position, they have become the most conspicuous in demanding a separate G-overnment, on their own terms — terms which, literarily interpretated, means " all ; profit and no loss " to themselves. In a dissolution of partnership such con- | ditions could never be entertained by the j other members of the firm. The South desires Separation, but the terms must J be fair, equitable and definite. They ask j for a financial Separation only, inasmuch j as the difficulties and complications which now clusters round the whole colony renders political disunion neither at once obtainable, politic, or beneficial. That an entire reconstruction of the system of government is required all acknowledge, but the exact shape the reform should take scarcely two think alike. The question has,. however, been brought forward, and become one of the most important, and must be the first 1 decided duringthe present session. Mr Whitakeb, the leader of the Auckland band, has opened the campaign, but in a less fiery spirit than might have been expected from the tone and temper that has latterly been exhibited by Auckland journalists and politicians. In the Assembly, on Wednesday, the 11th July, this, gentleman elicited from the the Colonial Secretary, that it was not the intention of the Grovernment to bring in any measure for Separation, and adroitly throw the onus of bringing forward the question on to the shoulders of Mr Whitakeb. The head of the Government has spoken, and that in no unmistakable language. The G-overnment will oppose Separation. Prom the speech of the hon. the Colonial Secretary we may safely conclude that this cannot be an open question, that while prepared to give every consideration to any measure for a reform of the system of government, consistent with the recent despatch from the Colonial Chief Secretary (Mr Cabdwell), it will not initiate any measure to that end, unless the whole of the provinces demand it — in other words, unless outside pressure is brought to bear, no change will take place. We have consistently advocated a financial separation with a political federation. Is there any chance of such being obtained? We think not. Auckland has a vital power in the Assembly — the power that arises from unity and self-interest— that must exercise an immense influence ; while the members for the Southern Provinces are split up into numerous parties. The Auckland band has an able and determined leader, the Southern representatives have no leader and no -unison of views. Unless public opinion is brought to bear upon the representatives of the Middle Island any change that may be made will be unquestionably not to our advantage. When parties are well defined, carefully disciplined, led with intelligent watch- words, and have confidence in their chief, they may accomplish much, gain a success for measures,. that when iirafc advanced were met with a, powerful opposition — but when, as is the case in the South, parties are disorganized, undisciplined, and impatient of control — when every man may assert liie privilege of doing what seems good* in. his own eyes, without listening to advice, or acknowledging a leader— -when the strength 'of parties are fretteaaway by the

formation of cliques and guerilla companies, which cannot be relied upon to act in concert — there is but small hope thatfany great question will be debated wisely or settled satisfactorily. The Provincial jealousies and party bickerings which have hitherto caused dire and pernicious mischief in the working of responsible government has not abated, and i the present aspect of affairs is as black and foreboding now as it was long sinee — the radical reforms which for years have been called for appear as far distant as when New Zealand was in its infancy. The people have, in a large measure, themselves to blame ; had there been any public activity and political life — had steps been taken in the Middle Island to 3ecure qualified representatives wLo were of one mind on the question of Governmental reform, the selfish machinations of the Auckland band would have lor. a: since been crushed out. The progress of the Separation debate is slow and tedious. The resolutions prowsed by Mr "VVhitaker were essentially .;■ ucklaud — they contained no proposal f ( .r tue better government of the colony, | "hi simp'i" the more complete endowment an I an expanded self-government for Ai ckland. The Southern members were | noi slow to air-cover this, and laid their i plai s to prevent it succeeding. The j atih" r idment resolutions brought forward by I Ma Dick, evidently had this object in ! vi'/.v. A perusal ;;f these amendments ', Ivvids to tho conclusion that they were never brought forward in a spirit of seriousness — that- they were intended to be

; ironical, to reflect as it were in a mirror i the transparent selfishness of the Aueki land brotherhood. The non-passing of | these amendments is therefore no matter for surprise. Still, the Separation question has advanced a stage ; the debate has led to an expression favorable to the House going into committee on the question, and it is understood that Mr Dick has other amendments to propose — amendment that will receive the support of the majority of the Southern members, and not a few of the Northern. "What is their character ? As yet it has not been shadowed forth, but if we can read the temper of the House, they will be in the first place financial Separation (qualified) and annexation — a return to the original distribution of the Provinces ; tfce absorbtion of all the Provinces constituted under the " New Provinces Act" and a comprehensive system of municipalities. Should this shuffle of the cards not prove successful, it is more than possible that a demand for a readjustment of the boundaries of the Provinces will be made. One thing is certain, Separation, in the full meaning of the word, cannot be obtained. To our mind, the next best system to be adopted is a readjustment of the Provinces — the alteration of the boundaries of the nine sections of the colony, so as to give a " balance of power" which does not now exist. [The resolutions of Mr Whitakeb will be found in our local columns.]