The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2306, 10 December 1864, Page 4

The Daily Southern Cross.

TiUOTJO NON URO.

" Jf I liavo boon oxlingutshoil, jot tlioro riso A thousand beaconi fiom tho spark I boro "

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10. Tni) great public meeting of the inhabitants of Auckland, held in Queen-street yesterday, is one of the fingci-posts moor colonial history. Tt will assist men in choosing the right path. It will direct them to the goal towards which we are all striving. Tf anything more than another was apparent at tins meeting it was the orderly demeanour of the people. Perhaps nowhere else in the colonies could an assembly of three thousand men bo got together, to stand out patiently a four hours' meeting in tho open air, on an occasion of strong political excitement, without for an instant betraying a disposition to set the constituted authorities at defiance. Tho meeting in Queen-stroet was a protest against the proceedings vi tho llouso, but it was an orderly and lawful protest. The Legislature was nut menaced. The questions in debate before the Assembly were not alluded to ; the public of Auckland kept scrupulously on the right path. There was no deviation to the right or left ; there was, in their conduct, no justification for the remark of tho Canterbury Press, that in Auckland tho mob ruled the Parliament, whereas that in Canterbury the Parliament ruled the mob. Indeed, we should think, contrasting the intention and ofloet of tho Canterbury meeting with the much more infiuenfcia and numerous meeting of Auckland, that the charge reads tho other way — the Canterbury mob rules the Parliament, and Iho Parliament rules the Auckland mob. But be that as it may, wo may v\ ell feel proud of our Auckland meeting. It was by far the largest public gathering that lias ever been convened m I^ew Zealand, and we think it will produce effects which will be felt throughout its length and breadth. If we contrast this meeting with that held at Canterbury on the 10th of last October, the immense superiority of the Auckland meeting is apparent. It is not because- our meeting numbered nearly as many thousands as tho Canterbury meeting did hundreds, that we claim the superiority ; although on this ground we might \\ ell do . a o. Neither is it because of the fact that the Auckland andieiico are all in comfortable worldly circumstances, but the superiority of the Auckland meeting over the Canterbury meeting consists in this, that in Auckland tho public assembled in the presence of Parliament to protest against a breach of public faith and tho perpetration of a great crime ; and in Ohristchurch, the meeting wai convouod before Parliament was assembled, to piejudicc its members and exact from them a promise that they would vote for certain measures, whether tho exigencies of tho country rendered them desirable or tho reverse. In Canterbury, the mob ruled, nay, dictated to the Parliament ; and M \ Weld, taking his cue from the meeting in question, made a tour of the Southern provinces, and organised a party which, for certain considerations, engaged to vole for the things which Canterbury approved. In short, Mr. "Weld is the representative of a Canterbury mob ; and cannot be taken to represent the majority in the House of Representatives, except for purposes which must be served by " log-iolling." TVhen the log lias been rolled into the creek, lio.vever, of course Mr. We Id and his colleagues will be sent about fhoir business ; there w ill bo no fur. ther need for them, and they will then sink into that insignificance, for which they were evidently intended by a wiBC and beneficent Providence. Let us inquire what the Auckland meeting did. Tt thanked tho mother country for its sympathy, and tho army and navy for their actiye support; and why should it not? The people of Auckland, who saw the exertions of tho troops, know how much they suffered and how much they won ; and they will leave it to Southern critics, who qualify themselves for criticism, by knowing nothing whatever of the facts, to say unkind and ungrateful words of the troops. The Auckland meeting likewise protested against divided responsibility in native affairs, and requested tho Imperial authorities to take native affairs into their own hands. This province docs not any longer wish to be responsible for tho conduct of native affairs; but it is read)', to the utmost of its abilitj', to supply men and money to enable the Queen's representative to •nforce tho authority of law. We think tho meeting acted wisely in adopting this resolu-, tion ; and we havo no doubt it will carry duo weight with, tho Imperial Government, when brought before it. ' Then the meeting passed' a resolution affirming the principle tliafc owing to ,tho recent legislation ofj the,* Assembly j and in justice to natives as Veil >as Europeans, separation 1 - of Auckland from. the other portionsiof- the colony became^necesWy? ]►

'necessity', foiv.separation.' will become all the more, apparent;. The Southern provinces, one an^.ail, hnvo united to spoil Auckland. WhyP .Because she is prosperous ? No ; but because they are needy. - Our readers ought to be told ihat'- Canterbury, ', Otago, Southland, and, for aught we know', the remaining provinces of the Middlo Island, are unable to negotiate their provincial loans, although they have the uncontrolled power ovor tho land revenue. They have contracted large public debts in anticipation of placing these loans, and they have been disappointed. The consequence is, stagnation and suffering, and a very so-so kind- of credit indeed. In fact, tho provinces named are in what is called, in colonial slang, " queer streot." They applied to tho late Government to guarantee their loans, and tho rejoinder was — "'Hand us over the land revenue as a guarantee "ithat tho interest and sinking fund will bo "j)aicl, and wo will guarantee your loan;'' but the South refused this concession. They still stuck to thoir land revenue, and abuse the lafco Government for not advising tho Governor to p|edgo the general revenue of tho colony on their behalf. Tins proposal was certainly cool coming from tho South, which thns insisted on having its enko after it had been eaten ; but we think tho Into Government were right in rofii3ing tho demand, although Mr. Weld censured them for it at the Canterbury meeting. Ifowever, Mr. Weld was chosen to I'cpresent the Southern faction in this matter, and ho mado a tour of the provinces to enlist supporters. Ho bought Wellington with a promise to spend C 50,000 on Government buildings, and J370.000 a-j'oai 1 on the Panama contract; and Taraualci was secured, by a promise of an enlarged war expenditure, the formation of roada, and the seizure of land. Hawke's 13ay was of little moment, seeing that Wellington held that province nearly altogether in its breeches' pocket; to secure Wellington at a pinch, is to securo Hawke's Bay Mr. Weld, having made this arrangement in tho North Island, came up to tho Assembly, feeling sure thai; self-interest would band the South together. Accorcliugly, ho soti about carrying out tho policy of the Canterbury mooting. In order that they may be able to lloat their provincial loan, and give employment to the starving hundreds of people in Canlerbuiy, it was necessary that there should bo tho appearance of a large general revenue ; henco the late united cry against separation ; and it was likewise imperative that there should bo the appearance of peace; hence the withdrawal of the troops, and the removal of the seat of Government, viewed politically. Bccauss the Ministry well know that should tho soldiers remain in winter quarters perpetually, still they nre a menace to tho natives : and when they cease to be feared their presence is sure to foment civil discord. The same, in degree, may be said of the removal of the scat of Government/. The natives know the Government is, or has been, a busy-body, liable to interfere in matters which Jid not concern it; and hence, by removing to Wellington, a place in which only the Ev:ecutiv : will not be troubled with slight pulsations of $saffectioh : and vi here they can afford to believe any native rising impossible, until the insurgonls appear on the heights ready to dnvo them over Lambton Quay. The seat ot Govcrn--4.'.icnt will then be removed to Wellington ; for, says Mr. Weld, the natives can best be ruled at a distance. Tho fact is, that tho Southern Island has entered into a league with the provinces we have named in this island, and in consideration of the matters stipulated they arc ready to vole black while to gain thoir point. Tho revenue of Auckland will soon be seized upon for that purpose, unless the inhabitants of this city take active stops in the matter Speaking of separation, however, uehave nothing to fear. Including our provincial revenue, (he entire income, irrespective of the sale of lands, may be set clown at ,€2oo,ooo— a very fair sum to commence wilh. We must protest, through our member-*, against tho House of "Representatives pledging the revenues of Anckland in anj r way until after the answer irom her Majesty has boon received.