South Island separatism
Sir, — I am writing this to express my alarm over secessionist talk in the South Island, 1 have always lived in Canterbury and am familiar with the old particularist feeling of this province and, perhaps, this island. At school I and my fellows often debated “north v. south,”- and we were all conscious that North Island people are in many ways different from us and that their interests are often imposed on the south in a harmful manner. But in this last year or so, it has disturbed me profoundly to see that old particularist feeling grow into a more militant separatism. The recent formation of a South Island Independence Party, calling for autonomy, is alarming. The hysteria which I heard on the radio this morning, demanding nothing less than secession, has made up my mind. I am as fond of New Zealand as 1 am of Canterbury. We should not secede. — Yours, etc., A. G. MAHER. June 11. 1979.
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Press, 13 June 1979, Page 18
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163South Island separatism Press, 13 June 1979, Page 18
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