Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Tuesday, August 15, 1876.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VII, Issue 353, 15 August 1876, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Tuesday, August 15, 1876.

The battle of parties in the political arena at Wellington is still raging, and on the issue of the Separation debate now proceeding hangs the momentous question, "To be, or not to be," with the Opposition party. As the wordy warfare advances, it is becoming evident the Government is gathering strength, and we doubt not when the division is taken it will differ little from that on the Piako Swamp and Mr Whitaker's resolutions. In the interests of the country districts of this Province we sincerely pray that it may be so. It is difficult to see what earthly benefit the Goldfields districts would gain by Separation. To our thinking, it would only intensify the evils we have suffered from for years past, as, assuming that Separation were decided upon, it is scarcely probable that any system of government initiated by our present provincial rulers —who would, of course largely compose the Executive Government of the Middle Island—would tend to relieve outlying districts from their present unfair burthens. Years ago, the movement would have been a popular one and might have been given effect to, but the time and the necessity for such a course have now passed away ; and, however much those

interested in the downfall of the Vogelian dynasty may try to make-believe the contrary, there is no doubt the popular voice ia favorable to a "United New Zealand" with one Central Government. Drowning men catch at straws it is said, and this movement of Sir George Grey and his party is simply looked upon as the throwing down of the best trump card in hand, the players of which will be euchred in the end. Were the proposal thought to be brought forward with a sincere desire for the country's good, the projectors might gain some credit for honesty of purpose ; but when one looks calmly at the conduct of the Opposition party since the opening of Parliament, it is not wonderful that the retention of place, power, and pay are, in the opinion of most people, the leading principles which guide the majority of the Grey-Macandrew following. The measures introduced by the Ministry are all pointed at the sweeping away of offices and emoluments. which have grown exceeding sweet to the tooth, and are not to be lost without a powerful resistance. We do not for a moment consider that the filthy lucre attached to these offices weighs with the holders—it is the love of power and authority —the being in a position to command, and it is done —that these men value ; and this is evidenced from the bitter and uncompromising hostility they display when any attempt is made to give the people control over their own affairs. They have been so long used to everything draining through the filter of red-tapeism in the Provincial capitals that they cannot realise the idea of the colony existing without the supporting staff of Provincialism.

And it is amusing to note how unselfishly the organs of the Opposition labor in the interest of their employers—now, appealing to the better instincts of a doubtful member; again, rubbing the blarney-stone over a M.H.R. who is supposed to be a little large in the bump of self-esteem, but unfortunately is too linn in his allegiance to his constituents to suit the purposes of his anxious friends ; and yet again, taunting and abusii g those whom they know to be proof againsb cajolery and have sufficient independence to think and act for themselves. It is this sort of thing that shows the weakness of the cause advocated, or, more properly speaking, the selfish motives underlying the Separation, cry. The respective members for Dunstan and Wakatipu have recently received particular attention at the hands of the Dunedin morning papers, and their every word and action is watched and recorded with a faithfulness which must be highly gratifying to those gentlemen. Mb Pyke himself is put down as a deserter from the good cause, and his past expressions raked up in all their enormity against him ; while his constituency is asserted to hold Separation views of the most pronounced kind. So that Mr Pyke in supporting the Government is a doubledyed sinner—he not only renounces his own faith, but also casts aside the fondest hopes of those who entrusted their interests to his care. All this and more has the Dunstan member been guilty of in the eyes of the Dunedin Times and Guardian. We are not going to say whether Mr Pyke is likely to put aside the political creed he is said to have so long held by as regards Separation : when he does so, he will no doubt be able and, willing to enlighten our contemporaries as to his reasons for so doing. The question of Separation was not before the electors when Mr Pyke was returned, and therefore he cannot be accused of being false to his constituency. Nor do we think that Reparation has the sympathies of the Dunstan electors —the resolution of the so-called " Dunstan Political Association" to the contrary notwithstanding ; and we cannot but characterise it as a piece of presumption on the part of that now defunct body to assume any such thing. In opposing the Separation resolutions, Mr Pyke will, we believe, not only be acting according to the feelings of the great majority of his constituents, but also doing a good work in the interests of the Goldfields.