The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JULY 5,-1862.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1007, 5 July 1862, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JULY 5,-1862.

Our Otago correspondent informs us in his last letter that the Separation League intends to publish a clear and full manifesto of its views and objects. Better late than never. So far as we have heard as yet, no one knows exactly what it aims at. Mr. Gillies, w;ho lately paid a visit to this province as a " deputation," uses very different language to that of some of the leaders of the Otago movement; and it is not unlikely that these gentlemen, now that they have considered the question a little more, would be unwilling to advocate the same course of proceeding as they at first suggested, or appeared to suggest.

It is no doubt true that we should very strongly object to a change which would make Dunedin the seat of government for this island; for, in such a case we should only be re-establishing the evil of the present state of things in another shape, by placing the seat of government at the extremity of the country governed. But it is certainly not the case that the fear of this has been our principal reason for opposing the Otago movement. We need scarcely repeat that our objections to the scheme were: firstly, the intention of appealing to the Colonial office to effect it, without applying to the New Zealand legislature; and secondly, the determination to make a complete severance of the connection between the two islands, now and for the future.

After the meeting in Ly ttelton, on Saturday last, we may claim to have very fairly represented the feeling of this Province on the subject. As a political demonstration the meeting was a complete fiasco. Mr. Gillies, the only person present who had apparently any well-considered views on the subject, either could not or would not say definitively what was the aim of the League. It is hard to discover what the other gentlemen present were there for,—-except, perhaps, Mr. Buckley, who complained repeatedly of the apathy ; displayed. The meeting did not appear to think he had anything very tangible to propose. The speeches, or rather the talk, was curiously irrelevant. One speaker wanted: to build an iron-clad steamer to defend the harbor; another thought Municipal Councils were in a mess; another thought this a parallel case to that of Scotland " when, subdued by England;" and a fourth thought that Mr. Ward had forgotten that ha was member for Ly ttelton. The resolutions were; given in the report of the meeting in our issue of last Wednesday. What the committee; are to carry out we understand about as muchij as we do the exact meaning of the first resolution. It must have been drawn up in a hurry. No wonder it was not seconded fori some time. . The second resolution, referring] the vtrhole question! to our representatives,? looks like a quiet and polite way of shelving: the discussion. ; That no meeting was called at Christchurch during Mr. Gillies's visit, and that no rppre.sentatiye of Canterbury in the General!

Assembly was present at the scantily-attended meeting at Lyttelton are significant facts. Those gentlemen who spoke most to the point at Lyttelton appeared to hold the views generally expressed in this province-—that an immediate chang'e is needed, and that the South will insist, through its representatives, on a due recognition of its claims and requirements. It may be advisable that a temporary separation of the two islands should be effected; it is possible that the Government may be placed on such a footing or in such a central position as to obviate the necessity of such separation. But the North must distinctly understand that the interests of this island can no longer be sacrificed to any other part of the colony on any plan whatsoever. . We will consent to such a financial arrangement as is just and liberal, but we insist on an adjustment of accounts. We cannot leave the revenue of this island at the mercy of political parties without any definite line beyond which they may not encroach. If we mistake not, it will be found that in Otago a great number of persons—perhaps even a majority —will be found opposed to the idea of absolute and entire separation from the North Island—and only anxious as we are for securing the share in the government of the colony which the population and contributions of this island entitle us to demand. It would be idle to form a decided opinion as to the best manner of meeting all the difficulties of the case, before we are possessed of some of the information which must be laid before the General Assembly during the present session. Have there been any recent negotiations between the Imperial Government and that of New Zealand as to the cost of maintaining troops in this colony? If there have been any, what is the result ? Is the Imperial Government prepared to hand over to the colony the responsibility of managing native affairs? If so, at what price? Is the present Government prepared to recommend the undertaking bf such responsibility ? What is Sir George Grey's policy with regard to the natives ? What will

it cost? What are the prospects of peace or war? These are only a few of the questions which must be answered before our Representatives can take any steps in the question of Separation; we cannot expect or wish them to rush blindfold upon so important a revolution.