The Southland Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1866.

Southland Times, Issue 575, 8 October 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1866.

New Zealand politics like a Chinese Dazzle, are hard to be understood. Tears h ive rolled on. session after session of the (xeneral Assembly has teen held, and still the true position of the colony and its complicated governmental machinery remains an enigma. An indiffereatly clear idea exists in the minds of the people that they are heavily taxed and badly governed, and many changes have been proposed as essential, to progress. ! The proceedings of the G-eneral Assembly, during the present session, has done much to dispel the fog, and present in its naked deformity, the miserable condition into which the colony has drifted. It h»a been made plain, that the colony is deeply drifted into debt ; that ie has large liabilities hanging over it, and that notwithstanding its great resources and large revenue, it is going; deeper and deeper into the slough of despond; that debts are still accumulating with a rapidity that is surpassing belief. JS"ofcwithsfcaniing that Mr Stafford has introduced measures that will considerably increase the burden of taxation. i he has shown the true position of the colony, and the policy determined upon for its Groverntnent. We admire boldness, and any man to be a statesman must be a bold man — Mr Stafford is a statesman. The high hand with which he has brought forward measures known to be unpopular, and persistently, with almost dogged determination, shown a desire to clip the win^s of Provincial Governments, is evidence that he has decided views — that the resolution, long since formed, to destroy Provincialism, he is still bent upon carrying out. Mr Stafford, five years since, expressed his antagonism to the Provincial system, and with statesmanlike astuteness set a train that was at the right time to be fired to destroy it. On the platform of liberalism the New Provinces Act was introduced, and according to the then primitive system of legislation, quickly trotted through all its stages, few caring to investigate its character, and still fewer capable of grasping an idea of its momentous import No one but a statesman — there are few in New Zealand — I would have conceived the idea of destroying a system that he viewed with suspicion, by chopping the then exi'suin^ five provinces into sections ; creating jealousy, bitterness and dis-union, in order to gain the one object — the re-union of tl c whole. Mr Stafford did this. We are not prepared to say that his aim was not legitimate, or that the destruction of the provincial system is not highly desirable, but it is certain that until some definite and equitable arrangement as to the connection of the people of the two islands, financially and politically, has been made, his long cherished scheme will | not be matured. Notwithstanding the ability — the industrious and able qualities which Mr Stafford undoubtedly ! possesses si he lacks one essential to a succestiil statesman — caution. He has too openly shown his cards , too boldly announced that the South must suffer more and more in order to bolster up the North. He has called forth an antagonj ism that has revived the demand for Separation that will not be soon silenced. The work of the session has been of a mostimportant character. The colonists of ' the Middle Island are again coerced into increasing their contributions to the general funds — there are increased customs fees, increased postal rates, stamp duties, and other fresh sources of revenue created, that will be oppressive to the inhabitants of the South — in order to meet the requirements of the North. It not surprising therefore that Canterbury and Otago should unite withan earnestness not previously evinced, to organise for the obtainance of Sepation. Southland has perhaps less interest in the striggle than either of the abovementioned Provinces — she is now dependent on the bounty of the General Government, and must be content with the crumbs that fall from the rich inau's table, although she may have contributed largely towards the costly repast from which the crumbs have fallen. Still, Southland is not beggared. She is indebted to the General Government, but he has given security to ten times her liabilities, and therefore is entitled to take her part in the political struggle that is going on. It behoves all to study events in order to be in a state of preparedness, to intelligently take a decided stand on one side or the other in the political warfare that is pending. Every move of the legislative wheel makes more conspicuous the fruitlessness of attempting to perpetuate the present system of Government. Financial Separation is becoming more and more urgent, and the proceedings of the Assembly during the session have certainly supplied matter calculated to call for an agitation to this end, in the Middle Islaud Provinces, more powerful than any that hrn yet been made. Canterbury and Otago w.ll join for tlm object, and Auckland desires its accomplishment. The conflicting interests — ■ the different class of legislation required i for the governing of the two islands —

become so transparent, that many of the J most determined anti-Separa:i mists now acknowledge that separate laws and a different system of administering them, are required, and that a financial dissolution of partnership has become a positive necessity. Although feeling that Separation, pure and simple, cannot be obtained with the sanction of the Imperial Government, we have evidence from the despatches of the late Chief Secretary for the Colonies, that any change that will come within the four corners of the constitution would receivefavorable consideration from the Imperial Government. Financial Separation — a Government f< r each Island, with a federal union — would be a change within the " four corners," and to obtain it should be the aim and object of every Southern colonist. The subject of Separation has again become the question of questions, and must be earnestly taken up ; if the South is united the object will be obtained Let, therefore, our representatives in the G-eneral Assembly ponder well over the possibilityof theirunited votes turning the scale in favor of Financial Separation ; aid be also the means of obtaining for the Middle Island the spending of its revenue on reproductive works — the making of roads, the construction of railways, the encouragement of immigration, and all the manifold works of colonization — instead of allowing it to be. frittered away in trying to pacify and coax into submission ignorant savages in the North Island, who should long ago have been scourged into obedience of the laws of the land.

New Zealand has long been remarkable for the multiplicity of its laws, and the systematic inconsistency of their construction. Provincial Ordinances, have as a rule, been amended, and scarcely a session of Council is held in any Province without a long list of " Amendment on Amendment Ordinance," being tabled. A case recently tried in the .Resident Magistrate's Court, Invercargill, under the Licensing Ordinance, 1865, has broughtoutinboldrelieftheslip-slopsortof laws tbat disfigure the colonial Statute Book. The most casual reading of this Act must conviuce even an obtuse mind, that it is a miserable jumble of inconsistencies and stringently oppressive conceivings. We do not say that it is positively incompatib'e with Brituh law, but we do assert that it is of a description that would never be acted upon in any Court in Great Britain. Ia going through this Act, the first clause having reference to the punishment awardable for the offence of veuding in toxicating beverages by an unlicensed ■individual, is as follows : — 32. — " If any person shall (except as the agent or servant of a licensed person) sell or dispose of within the Province of Southland, any liquor, or shall permit or suffer Any liquor to be sold or disposed of by any other person within the said Province, without having first obtained in manner and form hereinbefore directed, a license tuthorizing such s.ile or dispos il at the time and place, and in the quantity and manner in which licensee shall by such license be authorised to sell and dispose of such liquor, every such person shall forfeit and pay for a first offence any sum not less than Jive pounds, nor more than thirt?/, or shall be liable to imprisonment, for any term, not exceeding fourteen aayn, aid for a second offence shall be liable to imprisonment, with or wi;hont hard labor, for any term not less than twenty-one days, or more than two months., and for every subsequent offence shall be imprisoned for three months, provided that every offence shall be deemed within the meauing of this section, unless it shall have been committed subsequent to a previous conviction, and within twelve months thereafter." Thus we find that rhe major crime of actually selling, is set forth, although in with a fogginess that is> anything but satisfactory, aud certainly not creditable to the framers of the Act. The rank and flagrant absurdity of the Act, however, is displayed in the harsh provisions for the punishment of parties guilty of the minor offence of exposing for sale any intoxicating liquor. From this clause any justice, commissioner of police, or police officer, is authorised even upon suspicion that such articles were intended for sale to enter the place, and seize all they can find, and the punishment for this offence is thus stated : — " on proof of such offence by oath may convict any person so offending and on conviction he shall pay any sum not exceeding £50 and be imprisoned for any period not exceeding four months and such justice or justices may adjudge such liquor vessels and utensils containing the same and any cart dray or other carriages horse or other animal, and any boat or vessel used in conveying the same to be forfeited and may direct the same to be sold and the proceeds thereof after deducting the expenses of sale to be appropriated in like manner as fines are directed to be appropriated. Provided that in all cases where liquor shall be carried or be in course of being carried or be on the way from one place to another the burthen of proving that such liquor was not so carried or being carried or exposed for sale shall be on the party so carrying the same." Our attention has been directed to this subject by the decision of the 3sds:--dent Magistrate in the case of Charles Freeman, heard at tho Police Court on Friday last. We do not dispute the correctness of the decision. It was in strict accordance with the Act, still the sentence, under the peculiar circumstances that surrounded the case, was excessive. In the first place the convicted party had held a license for a considerable time, and no complaint had been entcrjd against him, and at the time the conviction was made, we understand that he had applied for a grocer's license, which would, hadit been done before, have prevented the charge ; he was absent from home at the time of the seizure of the goods ; the hpuf 9 he kept was shown to be a email roadside store, hot likely to

do much trade or become a nuisance to the neighborhood. These are all mitigit«ng circumstances, though no justification. But for the offence of exposing goods deemed contraband —on presumptive evidence only, no proof being tendered of a sale —he has three punishments to bear, all his goods s^izsd have beeu confiscated; he has been fined, and imprisoned. This is certainly a severe sentence, one far in excess of what appears to have been deserved. It may be advanced, that according to the particular clause in the Act unier which Freeman" was convicted, that it was imperative to both fine and imprison, but would not the fine with one hours' imprisonment have been ample to meet the ends of justice? unless it was intended to make an example or a terror-stricken warning to others. If this was the object it is a pity that no other greitev offender could hare been found. I , i 3 not, however, the sentence that we desire to consider, but the Act under which that sentence was passed. We hesitate not to affirm that the " Licensing Ordinance, 1865," is repugnant to the spirit of British law, inconsistant and oppressive —an Act that would disgrace the legal code of even the most despotic country. If the members of the Provincial Council will study it, . they cannot fail to see the necessity c for its reconstruction, and in the meantime great care and judgment should be studied by all concerned in its working.

It is a matter for surprise, and a source of much annoyance that no Press telegraphic message should hare been received when tha Panama mail arrived. It appears the mail reached Wellington as far back as Tuesday the 2nd October, and yet no public intimation was received here un'il Satuday the 6th October. Here was a four days interval. Tru? it is that a report was spread to tbe effect that a private telegram had been received stating: that the Panama steamer had reached Wellington early in the week, but no reliable information could be obtained. That this should not have been the c »se all will a^ree. If this continuea, other arrangements will nava to be entered into by ourselves to prevent a sim lar occurrence. The progress of nathe industries is always a matter for congratulation, and the enterprise shown by both Mr Thompson and Mr Puttelkow, in ship building is worthy of the highest praise -Mr Thompson's new ress^l is nearly ready for *ea, the mast and rigging are now up, and she will prooably be laun-hcd in the course of a few days. She is a likely looking craft, and well finished. Mr Puettelkow has on the stocks, the frame of a fin-? vessel, of about 85 tons the construction as far as it lias gone is substantial, and the design of the vessel is similar to that of the Danzig. We are requested to call attention to the sale of boats, &c. to take place at Messrs Harvey and Brace's Yards, near the Jetty, to-morrow, Tuesday, 9th October. Mr William Todd, is the auctioneer. It i* understood that a deposit of coal of a very superior character has been found at Coal Island. I r. is said that there ia s, beautiful harbor, 'and i hat ves9<>ls could be loaled at a very trifling cost. This island is situated a few miles (eight or ten miles) beyond tho bounds of Southland, on the Otngo side. We understand that a number of gentlemen hare united to work it, provided that a lease can be obtained. There is every reason to believe that the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway will soon bo opened. Prom a visit to the lavercargill Station, on Saturday, we were gratified at the activit? of the scene. The station and goods sheds are being pushed forward to completion with energy, aud the weather-worn carriages recently brought up from the Bluff are assuming an appearance that would dono discredit to the Great Western Railway of England. It has not yet transpired when the public opening will take place, but from all we can learn the contractors have nearly completed the line, an i the alteration in the site of the Bluff Station will not cause any great delay. The " Lyttelton Times," thus concluded a recent leading article : — " At the present moment the trade of the Province is seriously depressed, and people ask oue another where it is to end. Let the public ehake of their apathy and realise the fact tlut they are suffering from the extravagant acn of a G-overamenfc which draws one third of its revenue from taxing us, and returns a sum quite insufficient to maintain those departments of G-overnmeut delegated to us for support. Another tax is now imposed upon the people, and the pressure of the Stamp Duties will soon be felt far and wide. We hope that it will act as a warning before it is too late. We hope that Canterbury will rouse itself, and join with Otago in protesting against these merciless exactions. The General Q-ovdrnment is riding on the shoulder* of the Middle Island, and has got as firm and persistent a seat as the old man had upon Sinbad the Sailor. if expenses increaseand debts accumulate as rapidly as they have done this last three years, we shall be choked unless we can get rid of our incumbrarace. If we ever hope for or mean to see prosperous days again, we must unite in forcing economy and retrenchment upon the Government, or we must decline further responsibility, and separate while there is still something leit." . • The news to hand from the Like District is most encouraging, the weather has broken up, and mining affairs are being pushed vigorously ahead. The quartz reefs are looking well, and holders expect to reap a handsome harvest during the coming summer. The dull, monotonous silence of Skippers has given way to tbe din and clatter of the stamp heads doing their work of disintegration. A heavy rush is expected to set in after the appearance of the first amalgamated cake of the pre. ious metal, the which will b-;ar comparison with some of the cake« of iiendigo an J Ballarat, as the stone- that is being reduced ljoks exceedingly welL"