The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4858, 5 August 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1884.

Considebabie capital Las been made out of an imaginary scheme which emanated from the brain of an out-of-date politician, and which—even considering the source of its birth—could nerer have been thoroughly believed in by its producer. We refer to the notion of insujar separation. This bogy was used with little avail during the recent elections, and even now it is being dragged forth in the vain endeavor to make it a factor in interfering with a coalition between parties in connection with the formation of a Ministry. Surely the "chosen of the people can see far enough through such arrant nonsense as this separation threat it. It must be apparent that no such thing as a severance of the ties binding the * two islands it in the least degree probable—we might almost say possible. The very worst consequences that could arise from a Southern party being .in power would be a check placed upon Northern public works, and a diversion of fair expenditure from our island, which of course would be a sad calamity; would lead to unfortunate results; retard our advance for years, and, for a time, put a stop to the march of progress the North is now, and has.been for some time, steadily pursuing, owing to its many natural advantages. This healthy advance not being a. bar to other interests cannot at all be deprecated by our southern friends, nor can anyone suppose that it causes any serious jealousy. Perhaps a desire to emulate our example exists, but we cannot believe that any unhealthy or unworthy feeling is engendered by our progress; Should the people or their representatives hare foolish notions of insular antagonism ground into them by designing politicians or weak-minded or ignorant journalists, the injury likely to be done to the respective interest's of both islands is incalculable. We admit the fact that should a northern party have full power, little peace would be known, as the jealousies of the south . would be aroused, and warfare would take the place of legislation; and in the event of a southern ministry obtaining office, the other island's representatives would be lestless, but such things are unlikely, and need not be reflected upon. It is not only-just and equitable, from every point of view, but in every way desirable fajg^fteac'e sake, and in the interests of goodjp>rernment, that the Ministry to come should be made up as evenly as possible froinl&ysunks of representatives of both' islinds^ Should the selection be made as we have in- previous issues indicated it will likely be, we have no fear of the result as far as the strangulation of that absurd Separation cry is concerned. The colony—at the present time particularly—can ill afford any of its energy to be strained er wasted in order to afford gratification to squabbling politicians; it has a trying time before it; it has to face financial difficulties of no mean dimensions, and wellmeaning legislators mustrecognise this fact, and not be made parties to the schemes of designing office-seekers, or be carried away by interestedly written newspaper articles, pleading specially for any man or set of men. A fair amalgamation of Northern and Southern parties in the formation of a Ministry is required, and the coalition which will probably eventuate,, and which is most likely to be powerful for -the colonial good, we have already named. It is more than almost a certainty, that the present Ministry will resign, and that the next few weeks will see a change in the occupiers of the Treasury benches. Let us hope that in the new comers we will be in possession of-an,administration potent to crush the paltry spirit which occasionally shews itself in the House on the part of obstructionists and self seekers; and

that the welfare of the colony will be ils watchword, irrespective of all other considerations. ~