The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 973, 22 June 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1868.

The political war now raging in Victoria is one in which every British colonist is more or less interested. Its commencement was simply, local, but during the three years of the agitation that has been carried on new phases hare been presented with great rapidity, and now intestine differences have been mellowed, and local bickerings have to some extent been swallowed up* in the indignation felt at Imperial interference in' colonial legislation; The American War of Independence opened the ,eyes of British statesmen to the fact that emigration did not destroy the love of liberty that had rendered their ancestors powerful and renowned. Since that memorable period no dispute has arisen of . any magnitude between the Imperial Government and the colonies— no dispute assuming the character of determined opposition to Imperial interference — until now. The Canadian dependencies have had their grievances, and secession been talked of; New Zealand has Buffered from Imperial misrule, and has. strongly protested against the dictation of the Secretary for the Colonies in the conduct of its internal affairs ; and the same may be said of the colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, and others ; but until now no stand has been made that, could be construed into a determination on the part of the people of any colony to insist Upon enjoying the privileges of responsible government in its integrity, and to force the. ..Imperial Government to acknowledge that, in order to maintain a friendly connexion, the younger branches of the family must cease to be considered under leading Btrings after having proved they are capable of governing themselves. The position taken up by the people of Victoria thro v gh their parliamentary representatives is bold and determined. The ad-, drees of the Assembly, in reply ta!. the vice-regal speech of His Excellency Sir Henet Mawitebs Sutto]*, moved as an

amendment to that of the Government, was a document couched in strong and somewhat defiant language. It was a pledge on the part of the people of that colony to. resist Imperial interference in colonial legislation. The very large majority of the Assembly that voted for the M'Cflloch amendment — a majority that 5 " may be said to represent ninetenths of the people, has' "resolved to endure for a further period all inconveniences rather than allow the interference of the Crown to curtail the rights of the House oc Assembly. At a distance we may possibly be able to form a more impartial opinion upou the crisis than those who are in the midst of the strife. In every sense of the word the existing complications in Victoria are j much to be deplored. A reform in the I constitution is no doubt desirable, but it "appears strange that the liberal party should have taken the extreme course they have done during the crisis. The confusion and governmental disorganisation arose, in the first instance, from the Assembly adopting an unusual course in

order to compel the Council to sanction a protective tariff. The " dead-lock" that then ensued was simply a colonial dispute between the two Houses of Parliament, and the then G-overnor, Sir Chables Dableto, sided, or appeared to side, with \ the Assembly. The Imperial G-overnment was appealed to, and virtually censured the conduct of the Assembly by his immediate recall. !Prom this time the dispute became one of a still more serious character: the Assembly were indignant at the conduct of the Imperial Government in thus interfering with what it deemed a purely colonial affair, and to mark their disapprobation voted £20,000 as a gift to Lady Dabmng, and endeavored to force the Council to pass it in ; exactly the same form and manner as had led to the first dispute between the two Houses. We cannot but tbink.that the system of rewarding colonial governors for siding with a party, however popular that party may be, in opposition to, or without clear instructions front head-quarters, would be a bad precedent, and calculated to lower the dignity and integrity of Her Majesty's colonial representatives. Taking this view, we cannot but regret that the loyal liberalists (M'Ctjlloch and party) have taken up the position they now assume, a position that means separation from Britain or a full acknowledgment of the supremacy of the Assembly over the Council and the Governor. The time has not come for such an idea to be adopted by the neighboring colonies, or the thoughtful portion of the people of Victoria themselves. The termination of this dispute is much to be desired. The longer it lasts the more complicated it will become. It would be the extremest folly for Victoria tojseek separation unless backed by the other colonies, and these colonies will not at present mix themselves up in any dispute with the Imperial Government that may arise in "Victoria. The question must be decided there, and the only politic course to' be pursued appears to be such as will get rid of the bone of contention —the Dakling Grant. Both Houses of Parliament are alike interested in defining more clearly their own powers, and also the relationship that exists between the colonies and the Crown. The most sensible course of action appears to be for the Assembly and the Council to consent to a compromise, and settle in- ' ternal disputes, and then ■ unite in the reform of the Constitution. Both Houses desire that reforms should be carried out, and a clear understanding come to as to the position the Secretary of State holds with reference to colonial legislation. But before this can be accomplished their own quarrel must be settled.

The following pleasing instance of liberality on the part of a Maori, is thus noticed by the " Hawke's Bay Herald " of May 26 :— " Testerday, the native chief Tareha brought to town about 15 tons of potatoes, which he has handed over to the Superindent and Mr Sutton, as a present to the European inhabitants of Napier. It is proposed that they shall be distributed, in lots of two kits to each family, among those who may be in want, on application' to Mr Sutton. The distribution, we understand, will commence this morning, and will continue till Thursday evening next, at six o'clock."