CANTERBURY POLITICIANS

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 385, 24 October 1868, Page 7

CANTERBURY POLITICIANS

The Canterbury politicians, for want it may be presumed, of other excitement, have recently held meetings which, though ostensibly having for their object the care and preservation of the Middle Island, are really intended as feelers, prior to an attempt at separation of this, from the northern portion of New Zealand. There is very little, if any concealment of the .real object in view, and so far the Christchurch people seem to have gone in with the movement, as resolutions favorable to it, have already been passed at a public meeting on the 2nd instant. Though Christcburch has so willed it, however, it by no means follows that the whole colony will accept that city's lead, and it is worth while enquiring what possible gain would any section of New Zealand obtain by such severance. As might be expected, Otago coincides in the principle, but is hopeless as to the proba- , bility of its being carried out, if we may accept the Otago Daily Times, as a correct exponent of public opinion in that province. Our contemporary, wails over lost opportunities that occurred six years ago, when Otago gave birth to a Separation League, which blossomed and died, leaving no fruitbehind ittotell the tale of its harmless existence. Canterbury is reproached more in sorrow than in anger, for holding back at that critical time, and not coming to the assistance of Otago, at a juncture when the cause might have been won. We might add that the Times proceeds to speak of the " six colonies of New Zealand," and despairingly concludes by remarking that, till Otago is independent it will never flourish to the extent it should and ought. Now it may bo all very well for the southern portion of the island, to arrange everything so satisfactorily to themselves, but there are other people to be consulted, and more considerations to be thought of than mere personal advantage or selfish motives. Without doubt, the North island is an expensive sister, who is alwaysrequirding southern aid, to hold its own, and very possibly the return is hardly worth the outlay in a many respects. At the same time the whole area of the two islands makes up barely sufficient for one good colony, and the idea of dividing it into two, is as unwise as it is impolitic. To have two governments in a colony of the size would be farce, and it is utterly out of the question to imagine that the Imperial Government would sanction, or rather permit such a sub-division. Although the Maoris, as we know to our cost, have been the cause of endless trouble, and although to the natives of the North Island we owe a heavy debt and excessive taxation, still there is no doubt that there will one day be the home ot a powerful nation, Unquestionably if southern assistance was withdrawn, if the dead weight that that the North has been were cast off, this island would ride more buoyantly, but what would be the cost of such relief ? In the first place It is tolerably certain that ruin must await a very large proportion of the northern settlements as many possess neither money nor the men to successfully defend themselves, and this island by a cowardly and dastardly withdrawal, would allow their own race to be triumphed over by the disaffected natives. If there was no other ground than this, we are sure nineteen-twen-tieths of the white male population would veto such abandonment, for to leave a large number of fellow-colo-nists in such a fix, is not the British way of doing things generally, and we should indeed be sorry if the Middle islanders were the first to set such a scurvy example. That is one reason and a great one why separation should not be, but the materialist portion of its advocates may perhaps deem anything national or chivalric as out of place in the present day, and therefore would pooh-pooh such sentiments as puerile or ridiculous. That may or may not be so, but there are other more substantial grounds for opposition to the course proposed. In the first place, as wo have before remarked, there is not room enough for two divided Governments, and as to the idea of "six colonies," its originator surely ought to be accommodated with lodgings in one of the lunatic : asylums of the Colony, if he really dreamed that his conception was capable of realization. Though it _ is unquestionably hard to have to give so much and get so little, at present it is our fortune, and we must and should make the best of it. The day will come surely, when the colonists of New Zealand will remember greatfully that the proposition for separation was scouted by the body of the people in the face of strong temptation. But the obstacle, and the unsurmouutable • one, is found in the fact that the Colony

is indebted some seven millions, and before a dissolution of partnersbip can bo even talked about, tbis little bill must be settled, or at least arranged for. Now tbere would be two or three parties to any proposals on this score. In the first place there would be the members of the existing firm, then the public creditor, and lastly, the British Government. To begin with, the adjustment of the relative burdens would be utterly impracticable, for it would be impossible to arrive at any conclusio : on this head, that would be satisfactory to both, and even if that was achieved, the bond-holders, in a body, must be satisfied with the arrangement, which it is very certain would not be the case. As to liquidating the existing loan, and incurring fresh liabilities, the attempt would be hopeless. It may be accepted also as a fact, that the English Government, before anything was done, even if all parties were anxious and willing, would see that the faith of the Colony, to which they are in a measure pledged, should be maintained to the letter, and altogether a more hopeless difficulty to get over than the whole loan question involves, could not well be conceived. In spite therefore of a few noisy people south, it is clear that on every principle of honor this island must give its moral and mat erial support to to the north at present, and if any hope to see New Zealand one day a nation, no division of its soil must take place. Next and last, such a separation is actually impossible in the present circumstances of the Colony, and the sooner an agitation that is neither honorable or politic, and one that cannot be attended with aught but failure, is brought to an end the better. It can.lead to nothing but disappointment to its fomenters, and possibly dissension, where unity, at this time most especially, should prevail.