THE "Inveniam viam ant faciam" SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1861.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2, 16 November 1861, Page 2

THE "Inveniam viam ant faciam" SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1861.

We are glad to observe that our contemporary the Colonist is earnestly taking up the question of the separation of the Northern and Southern Islands. The future fortunes of Otago are deeply interested in the separation, and not'only Otago, bat the whole of the Provinces of the Middle Island. Most persons have read the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, and know the adventures of Sinbad the Sailor. One of the most trying of thase was when he consented for a short time to carry on his back a feeble-looking old man, but who turned out to be an evil genius in disguise, who was in the habit of working out his nefarious purposes by clinging to his victims till exhaustion and death ensued. Sinbad, alter enduring his singular load several days, succeeded in dislodging him by making him drunk. It would., almost appear as if this allegory were devised to represent the relative positions of the Northern and Middle Islands, excepting that the last part, the remedy, is unfortunately not so easy to administer. The Northern Island has saddled itself on the Middle Island, and, notwithstanding its weak languishing condition, continually exposed to the difficulties and expenses of internal warfare, clings to the shoulders of its vigorous neighbour with, a tenacity that nothing can loosen.

The Northern find Middle Islands have nothing in common The questions which most alfect the first are either without importance to the second, or else their bearing is widely different. Take a map of the Northern Island of about the size of a sheet of note paper, and splash as many spots of ink on it as one well-charged pen will permit, and an idea will be obtained of the relative quantities of the European and Maori territory. The few black spots will represent the little land in the possession of the Europeans, while the white portions will represent the Maori territory. All the land revenue the North enjoys is by making bargains with the Maories and ■reselling to the Europeans. Deprived of this, when direct purchases are allowed to be made from the Maories, nothing will remain to be derived from land. The Middle Island, on the contrary, enjoys immense returns from its land : only a small portion is yet sold, and the remainder advances in value. If we come to Customs revenue, the returns from Otago alone will in a few months exceed those of the whole of the Ports of the Northern Island. The union, is in every way unequal; the Middle Island derives no benefit from it; the Northern advantages in every way. If every thing else were equal, the distance from the seat of Government would be ample cause for dissatisfaction to the Southern Provinces of the Middle Island,,

An instance of this is only now occurring,— one that shows how unfairly the claims of the several provinces are relatively treated,, and how impossible it is for the Middle Island to act long, en accord, with the Northern. Seeing the large quantity of treasure accumulating, in Dunedin, and knowing that the army of soldiers in Auckland had nothing to do, a request was made.to the General Government to sjncl a handful of troops down here. The request was complied with, but the intimation was made that the Provincial Government must defray the expense of the extra pay, soldiers arriving in the Colonies, receive. In Auckland this was paid out of the funds of the General Government, but here it is to come out of the exchequer of the Provincial Government. Remarks are unnecessary to characterise the galling injustice of the distinction thus made. Surely the Middle Island has paid dearly enough for the soldiers, and if the troops-were only sent* down to show the inhabitants what it is they have been paying for, exception could scarcely be taken. There is jno pretence that, the soldiers are required in Auckland any longer, and as Red-coats are supposed to be attractive objects, especially to the fairer portion of the community, the Middle Island might claim some amusement, as it has derived, no other?, advantage for the-; money it has been mulcted of. The" Council displayed very proper spirit in referring the matter back to the General Government; and entering a strong protest against the injustice,sought to be inflicted. We-pre-sume the General Government will concede the point. In vulgar parlance it has thought "there's no harm in trying it on." But the fact,remains^that the attempt was made, even jalthough it lias defeated, itself' by its own in-, justice.