RE-UNION.

Southland Times, Issue 1165, 15 November 1869, Page 2

RE-UNION.

(10 THE BDITOB OF THB TIMKB.) Sib, — As the subject of the re-union of the provinces of Otago and Southland has for some time past attracted, considerable attention both here and in Southland, perhaps, you will allow me,= through jour columns, to make a few remarks to my fellow-settlers across the borders. After having fully considered the whole subject of re-union, I am of opinion that it would be advantageous for both provinces to unite. I believe your province to be thoroughly solvent, and to possess a very valuable estate, which, with proper management, will form the foundation of a fortune to many of its inhabitants, but you Harei got into so bad credit, that you cannot work your estate to advantage. You; require to do what many a business man' has done — take in a partner with capital, or credit. Now, I don't think Otago is in a much better position than Southland, but only it has got a wealthy' reputation, and, moreover, it has friends at head-quarters, where you Have enemies, i.e., those who want you to . unite, and who, if you don't, will ruin you; I mean Yogel, Bell, and Go. ! don't believe Otago will ever payyou oneP farthing. You will only get credit, but this credit will enable you to make headway towards prosperity. Otago will not; suffer much by this additional load upon ' her credit, and she will gain by being, united to you in your future prosperity. But the subject is one for serious consideration, and one upon which the public ought to be fully and impartially informed. I regret to see that your contemporary, in its zeal, is overstepping the bounds of honesty, and endeavoring to mislead its readers. For example, with reference to the popularity of our Superintendent, the News exults over the result of his recent meeting at Balclutha, and endeavors to shew that, in J the opinion of his constituency, he is the concentration of honor and power. The News says that at that meeting there were 300 present, and that only 18 hands were held up against him, notwithstanding the agitation which had been got up,

with reference to the Hundreds Kegulalion Bill. Now this is the truth, hut not by any means the whole truth. Take it this way — there were 300 present, these being runholders and their friends, and non-electors — that the -intent ion to hold the meeting was carefully concealed from the settlers, and even in such a meeting only 30 hands were held up for James Macandrew — many holding up botti hands, and these non-electora. This presents the macter in rather a different light, but the one given in the local papers, who ought to know best. Moreover, Mr Macandrew has been requested by a large number of our representatives to call a meeting of the Council, so as to save the settlers from the impending ruin which he and others have brought about, but I understand he declines to do so, as he refused to dissolve the Council at their unanimous request, upon the ground that he might lose his position. But the fact of his unpopularity does not affect you so much as the cause, and that is the part he has acted with reference to the waste lands, which, bear in mind, must be the source of your prosperity, if ever you have any. At Mr Macandrew's election, he gave himself out in the strongest terms as the people's man ! the friend of the immigrant ! " Land for the people " was his watchword, and down with the " bloated squatter," and their unrighteous clique ! What is he now ? In the Assembly he energetically exerted himself in the passing of a bill which deprives the Provincial Council of even the semblance of power or control over the provincial estate. Notwithstanding the terms of the runholders' leases, and covenants to the contrary, he voted for their receiving compensation of not more than 2s 6d per acre (he urged but could not carry 3s 6d) in the event of their runs being opened up for settlement. Moreover, they are to receive unlimited compensation for all improvements they effect — fencing, draining, &a. Their fences (3 wires) are no good to a settler, but it must be paid. They m»T ploztgh. up, and work out, and ruin the agricultural portions of their runs, carry on farming, which they can do successfully, at a rent of 2|d per acre, and the man who wants the land to settle down upon with his family can only get it by paying compensation and improvements, &c, besides the government price of the land. Thus, then, our waste lands are passed over to the squatter, and further settlement is rendered impossible. True, a portion of one of Mr Bell's runs has been opened up without him receiving compensation, but previously to opening it the Government kindly allowed Mr "Bell to spot the same, and secure in fee simple every section of it which was fit for agricultural purposes, so now he will virtually have the remainder on an equally secure and permanent tenure. While, therefore, I wish re-union, Ido not wish to see the hard-working, industrious, and hopeful settlers of Southland placed in the same position as to land laws as we are. True, I may be told that the basis of union agreed to provides that the Southland Waste Land Regulations are to remain intact. This I look upon as a very cunning trap. What power nad the commissioners to make any such, stipulation ? Mr Macandrew says distinctly that the Provincial Councils have now no power whatever over the waste lands ; then what power can those appointed by them have ? Depend upon it, so soon as union is accomplished, our Otago politicians will very soon give Southland a Hundreds Begulation Bill. I notice that the advocates of union point to the supremacy Otago now has in the Assembly. That very power is what Southland has to fear in the matter. While, therefore, I think it would be good for us both to unite, I don't wish to see Southland outwitted and ruined. Let Southland stipulate that, previous to signing the deed of union, there be placed in her hands an Imperial guarantee that her land laws will not be interfered with. Then she will be safe, but not till then. — I am, &c, Otago Settles. Tokomairiro, Nov. 5, 1869.