THE OTAGO DIFFICULTY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 22 July 1867, Page 2

THE OTAGO DIFFICULTY.

As this subject in connection with Provincial independence, as distinguished from insular separation, will constitute one of the principal topics of the present session, it will probably prove interesting- to our readers, to learn what is said on the subject by our neighbors over the water. The Melbourne “ Argus” devotes a leader to its elucidation, and though it contains numerous inaccuracies, the view taken is probably of a more impartial character than we are likely to see on such a subject in the columns of the New Zealand' press. After referring to 'Mr MbAndrew’a election,, the “Argus ” observes:—, “Instead of remonstrating with the people of the province, however, and endeavouring to secure the election of a gentleman who would be more acceptable to the General Government, he availed himself'of the power conferred on the centra], authority by the Goldfields Act, to remove them as far ' as possible

from the authority ot the provincial Ministry, and .to, bring them under that of the General Government. To this end he despatched the Treasurer to Dunedin and the gold-fields. That officer has succeeded to some small extent in scouring possession of the offices of the government on those fields'; and, as already remarked, a few of the officials have recognised his authority. The Superintendent, meanwhile, refuses to recognise the right of any travelling Minister to interfere in provincial affairs. Mr Richmond, on his part, is barely courteous in his communications; and the whole question is about to be submitted to the General Assembly at its meeting at Wellington. ' “ What the result will be it is not,easy, and would not be safe, to predict. The province appears to be determined to submit to no dictation of the high-handed kind attempted by Mr. Stafford ; and. the latter.exhibits no symptoms of weariness of the contest, or of a desire to bring about more amicable delations between the powers in Wellington and Dunedin.”