The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1866.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1787, 8 September 1866, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1866.

We have no doubt that the great Dunedin meeting, of which we gave a condensed report yesterday, expressed substantially the feelings and opinions of the Otago public. The absence of their chief political leaders in Wellington afforded a strong proof that the opinions expressed were generally entertained, as they would with more certainty have been contradicted if any opposition had been felt. Many who might hesitate to come forward and dispute views advocated by the more practised politicians would have had no reluctance in combating the arguments of those who were almost as little experienced as themselves. Viewed in this light, the Dunedin meeting was eminently representative; and it' we take exception to some of the statements made at it, it is more as a matter of detail than as impugning the general correctness of the principles enunciated. Perhaps it was but natural that a slight tone of exaggeration should characterise all the speeches. Time was, when the norim tnat Auckland was New Zealand was actually maintained in the' North, and with so much success as to do no small amount of mischief. One of the Dunedin speakers seems to think that the best way to counteract this, is to announce to the world now that is New Zealand. The idea of counteracting one untruth by the use of another, it uot novel,is certainly dishonest. It is a matter of some wonder to us where the Barne gentleman, got the

figures with which he regaled his audience. With regard to what he says about the Customs, he must be well aware that a large amount of the goods importedtoDunedininlß6s were merely ira ported for the use of the Canterbury gold-fields; and that as regards the export returns, Canterbury at the present time exports annually more than all the rest of New Zealand put together. But we by no means wish to dwell on these minor points of difference. The comparisons made between Otago and Canterbury ought to partake more of the character of a friendly rivalry than of an oyerjealous competition. We heartily reciprocate the conviction expressed by Mr. Bathgate, that' both proviuces would be simply consulting their own interests, if they were more closely united than they have been hitherto.' Perhaps nothing has tended so much to produce the past neglect and even sacrifice of Middle Island interests, as the foolish jealousy and opposition in which these two provinces have indulged. It must be allowed that both are to blame. There has been more than enough of cool superciliousness on this side of the Waitaki, dashed with the acidulated sneering of men like Mr. Sewell and Mr. John Hall. But the Otago politicians are much in error if they think that these are our representative men. Their failings are as much appreciated here as in Dunedin or Wellington; and they have been tolerated mainly for their known business abilities. Nor has Otago been free from faults. The public men of that province have for a long time suffered .themselves to be made the tools of Auckland; and in their day of great prosperity were entirely forgetful of the virtue of humility. Let us hope that the bridge over the Waitald may be the first step towards cementing an intercourse which will do away with all the misunderstandings and soreness of the past. The interests of the two provinces are so thoroughly identical that we can imagine no reason why they should not unite more and more closely in all their political, commercial, and social aims. The provinces of the Middle Island are at length in a position to secure substantial justice for themselves, and nothing but gross carelessness and disunion can prevent it.

Altogether, it is a matter of much satisfaction to see the stand made iu defence of provincial interests by the Public of Dunedin. We hope the lesson will not be lost upon their representatives iu "Wellington; aud that the action taken by Ohristchurch in petitioning, and by Dunedin iu this public protest, will have the effect of saving us from unnecessary taxation, and, in fact, from any further expenditure of Middle Island money upon North Island interests.