ANNEXATION.

Southland Times, Issue 1153, 25 October 1869, Page 3

ANNEXATION.

(TO THB BDITOB 07 THB TIMBS.)

Sib, — It is peculiarly amusing, as well as curious, to observe how the re-union game is being played from the Dunedin stand -point. The tender and affectionate simplicity with which they approach the subject, and handle us at head-quarters in Otago, is quite refreshing, considering byegones. In confirmation, I quote from an article on re-union in the Dunedin Daily Time* of the Bth inst. .- — v The He-union Commissioners — as will be seen by their report — have succeeded in arranging a basis of re-union. The representatives of this province appear to hare been met rather more than half way by the representatives of Southland. It has been frequently asserted that the movement for re-union is nob popular among our neighbors. If that were the case, some show of opposition would have been made during the receat negotiations on the subject. The negotiations, however, were not interrupted by any opposition. On the first day of sitting, the Commissioners of both provinces unanimously resolved that re-union would be advisable; and before three days had elapsed, their report was ready. There is undoubtedly a small section of politicians in Southland who are strongly opposed to the projected re-union, and who are misled by the idea that the .General Government will take the province over. While the recent negotiations were in progress, a statement was industriously circulated to the effect that the General Government are opposed to the re union, notwithstanding their action in the matter during the late session. It was said that the Premier does not ■hare the ideas expressed by the Treasurer on this subject in his financial statement, and subsequently embodied in the Permissive Bill. Great expectations were formed on the strength of this assertion. ' The General Government, it ' was supposed, would not hesitate to come ' to the rescue of Southland by remitting its interest and sinking fund. The hopes of this party rest mainly on the dissatisfaction of the settlers in the Mataura and Waiau districts of Otago. These districts form the eastern and western boundaries of Southland. This dissatisfaction arises from the want of roads ; and the settlers are told that annexation to Southland is the readiest means of obtaining them. If that annexation were carried out, the Government of Southland would then make the desired roads to Invercargill. The distance from ihe Mataura to Invercargill is not more than thirty-five miles, while the distance from the Mataura to Dunedin by way of Balclutha is upwards of one hundred miles. A similar argument is held with the Waiau settlera. They are told that while the Government of Otago will never give them a road to Dunedin under any circumstances, the Government of Southland will give them a road to Invercargill as soon as the annexation project is accomplished. That project, it is said, will be warmly supported in the General Assembly by Canterbury, Nelson, and Marlborough — each of those provinces being anxious to reduce the proportions of Otago as well as its political influence. Such are the tactics of the anti-re-unionists in Southland. T • prevent the re.union of the two pro- \. uces, they boldly propose to strip Otago Qf ft forge ibftre of it* territory, relying

on the jealousies of the other provinces, as well as the supposed proclivities of the General Government, to support their schemes. The policy is a shrewd one. Jfo better means could be devised for c >untt ranting the re union movement than that of getting up an agitation in the Matmra and Waiau, and then appealing to the General Assembly for their annexation to Southland. There can be no difference of opinion in this province as to the merits of such a proposal. No one will suppose that Otago has anything to gain by the loss of a large proportion of its territory. At the Bame time it is clear that while the two provinces remain as they are, the Mataura and Waiau districts are not likely to be connected by a main line of road either with Dunedin or Invercargill. The elements of dissatisfaction must consequently remain in those districts, and political agitation of the kind alluded to may be expected as a natural result. These facts are very powerful arguments in favour of re-union. If the provinces were united, it would answer the purpose of Otago to connect the outlying districts referred to with Invercargill. But it would never answer the purpose of Otago to be again stripped of its territory ; and unfortunately there are many politicians who seem to glory in setting up new provinces at the expense of old ones. It was well said in the Legislature that under the operation of the New Provinces Act, the large provinces have been forced to lie on their backs while their limbs were cut off. This matter deserves the serious consideration of those who regard the projected reunion, as detrimental to Otago "

A more continuous string of misconceptions and misrepresentations I have seldom met with. It is easy to be seeniu what interest, and for what purpose, the Dunedin journal, with assumed innocence and honesty, devotes its labors. Our commissioners must feel very grateful for the admission that they have met Otago rather more than half-way. Here, we are inclined to agree with your Dunedin contemporary on that point, on others I must beg leave to correct his absurd misconceptions, touching the attitude assumed by anti-unionists in Southland. First, we are spoken of as a " small section of politicians ;" statistics which will ere long be forthcoming, will give the lie direct to that impudent assertion. In *>he meantime I may remind that re-union journalist that, counting the voters who have expressed their mind at the poll, the anti-unionists have the majority. The writer goes on to remark — " While the recent negotiations were in progress, a statement was industriously circulated to the effect that the General Government are opposed to the re-union. It was said that the Premier does not share the ideas expressed by the Treasurer (Mr Yogel) on the subject." I reply that views exactly the opposite of the above have been entertained by the anti- unionists here. We have all along believed that the General Government, under political obligations to Otago, was ready to sacrifice Southland any day.

Again, says the Dunedin journalist — " The hopes of the party rest mainly on the dissatisfaction of the settlers in the Mataura and Waiau districts in Otago. This dissatisfaction arises from the want of roads. If that annexation were carried out, the government of Southland would then make the desired roads to the Mataura and Waiau districts of Otago." We leave Otago to deal with the dissatisfaction of its own settlers. As to the matter of road-annexation, bless his simple heart! we are — without asking Otago's leave, or waiting oa political annexation, and there is the rub ! — annexing these districts to Southland every day. It is only with us a question of time and pecuniary means. Patience, Otago ! the annexation you dread is sure to take place, so please console yourself! The writer may therefore relieve himself from all anxiety as to our supposed pur* pose of appealing to the G-eneral Assembly " for the annexation of the above districts to Southland." Our chief city being admitted by the commissioners to be the geographical centre of these districts, all trade connected with their settlement will necessarily now thereto, and ifcls therefore quite unnecessary for us to apply to the General Assembly, or Otago either, for their annexation. Otago may ere long discover that we have got reasons for objecting to political annexation to it, of a very different nature from those the Daily Times has charged us with entertaining, and moreover, that we neither seek to repose in the arms of the G-eneral Government, nor in the arms of Otago, believing in the maxim, " God helps them who help themselves." — Youra, &c,

An" "i i-AiraßXATiosnsT.