SEPARATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 190, 17 November 1876, Page 10

SEPARATION.

It seems somewhat late on our part now to make any comments on the Convention held last week iv Dunedin, but as we were unavoidably obliged by the occurrence of the Prince of Wales' Birthday to omit all mention of the Assembly alluded to up to the present, we feel it incumbent upon us, notwithstanding our appearing to be somewhat tardy in doing so, to offer a few remarks touching the matter. It is not necessary that we should be very diffuse upon the subject ; our opinions respecting Abolition have already been plainly and very fully stated. In the columns of this journal appeared some of the earliest objections that were made to the proposed changes, and we combatted them to the last, believing with Mr. Macawdiiew that it would be impossible for any Parliament so grossly to despisa the wishes of the people as they have been despised by the Parliament at Wellington. The changes deprecated have, however, taken place— or rather it is assumed that they bave done so, for it seems that there are still some doubts as to the legality of the steps referred to— but it by no means follows tliat they are to cc tamely submitted to, or that the people of Otago are quietly to look on while their interests are being made a prey of by men who have given a sure earnest of their capabilities in the disgraceful coup d'etat they have so recklessly identified themselves with. It is extremely improbable that this Province may expect anything like fair legislation from the Assembly at Wellington at any time. One dreary session like the last may follow another ad injinitnm, and no better results so far

as Otagor is concerned be obtained than were yielde'd-by that which has just terminated, so that thequestion naturally arises of what is to be done ; and in reply Mr. Macandritw states that it will be necessary to erect the Province into an independent Colony. Now this is the opinion not of a mere wily politician, whose object it is to make everything subservient to Ms own interests ; for, although the Superintendent defends himself from such a charge, it ia evident that so grave and false an accusation could not be brought against him by any but the most shallow-pated, or those so thoroughly steeped themselves in dishonesty that it would be impossible for them to conceive of any man's acting from patriotic or disinterested motives. The opinion, then, thus given is that of a man who is eminently trustworthy, who is acting as his conscience directs' him, and whose convictions are founded on a perfect knowledge of the matter with which he deals, gained by years of intimate acquaintance with the population, the needs and capabilities of Otago; and accordingly the sentiments expressed by him. should exercise due weight with all. But even apart from the fact that the proposition comes from Mr. Macahdrew, we do not see anything startling in the idea of separation ; it is nothing new or unheard-of in this hemisphere. The Australian colonies, as was pointed out by the Superintendent, were far less qualified to stand alone when they separated from New South Wales, than is Otago at present, and yeb they ascribe their progress and prosperity to their independence. We do not, however, say that we believe such a step would be under any circumstances the best that could be taken for this province. No doubt a better measure might have been decided on were things differently situated from what they now are ; but to affirm that because a better might be imagined, though not obtained, we were therefore to be debarred from seizing the best we could lay our hands upon, would be anything but logical or prudent. The conclusion, therefore, that we arrive at is that the proposal of Mr. Mac Andrew is just and most worthy of being entertained, and that all that now remains is to see it carried into effect as speedily and effectually as possible. Great interests are at stake, and it is desirable that their safety should be secured with vigor and determination.