Wanganui Chronicle. AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI, 1ST AUGUST, 1866.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 10, Issue 632, 1 August 1866, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle. AND TURAKINA AND RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. WANGANUI, IST AUGUST, 1866.

We would not have it to be taken,, readily for granted that the Feniam movement is at an end . That it will e ver -effect the purpose for which it - was . begun ' and has-been sustained is altogether' unlikely,• but it uiiay still work - mischief to * British interests. man .of in ark, of whom the world will likely hear more:' A Paris writer who saw something ot him during his stay in the French capital, writes as follows : The evening I saw him he was elegantly dressed, observing throughout a modest demeanour ; waiting to be addressed before speaking to any one, and answering all questions jut to "him in a simple and natural manner;: When asked for details as to his arrest, his imprisonment, and his plan? lie said , *My arrest took place because . I Wished it. For many 7 hours I knew that the police were on my traces, and it was my pleasure to be '.'arrested'in order to prove th.at I could escape with the greatest ease. While in prison I was treated with the utmost regard. -I. wanted for noth dig, a: d in 1 cannot top highly praise'the English'Government. Blit it was absolutely necessary to depart, f had expressed my desire to do so to a person of whom I was puis, with whom an unexpected circumstance put me in communication, and the prison doors, go to speak, stood open before me. I don't know wither anyone ineaut to stop.me, aiotuKi rue I >**ft w only accomplices-’ . * But once out of orison,’ observed a listener, ‘ how did- you manage to leave Ireland ?'' " ‘ Once out of prison I fled to the country. - Money, and a revolver we-e given me. I remained, up to the time of my getting on board, ship,, in the country, living during the day in. a hut, and going out at night to reach another. In every place where I took refuge I was well known. Notwithstanding the large sum offered* by the Irish Government for my apprehension, nobody ventured to inform against me ; and this single fact proves that Ireland was at my disposal.' ‘And now what are vour plans ?' ‘I am going to America for an army of 200,000 men, who are expecting me, and I will return with them. to deliver Ireland, my couutry, from the British yoke.’

The discussion of the Separation resolutions is fortunately at an end by this time, aiid the House of Representatives may now turn its attention to something more practical. Mr Whitaker’s resolutions will be negatived by a decided majority. The Auckland movement has had enough of attention bestowed uponit, certainly more than its merits deserved, for a discussion does not become convincing as it grows tedious, arid the speeches on Separation were exhaustive and, as a reader, if we must say so, exhausting as well. Wo do not however complain, of the debate, because, even in discussing questions barren as this one, a certain amount of useful information is elicited and freemen learn practically to govern iheiriselves. But Northern members having now redeemed their pledges to constituents should try and help on the real business of the session. None of them, however ardent for Separation, .could have. expected any other than the result arrived at; some of them in their hearts would hardly have desired it otherr wise. . The speaking on the whole was highly creditable to our legislature. Mr. Croshie Ward made an elaborate statement in favour of Separation, proving himself unquestionably the most powerful of its supporters, but lie failed to do himself justice, when he affected so completely to ignore sentiment in the settlement of such a question. Despise sentiment as he may, it exists and we hope ever will exist. There are certain “ ideas,” as the French would sav, and this, of a united country is emphatically one of them, which will be found stronger than even “ hard facts,” and when tl i ese ‘ ‘ideas” shall fail to exercise an influence over us we shall have become poor indeed. No judicious ruler will fail -to take note of divisions of language or race in order to legislate for.tlieir special benefit, but there i- no such thing in this case—-wo are ail one kith and kin, acknowledging the same traditions, 'and aiming at .the same qbjecjtrand the policy of dividing in order to govern is generally considered immoral as well as short-sighted. Apart, hoivever, from all. those constitutional, financial, and social objections, which array themselves against tha dismemberment of a country, Mr. Wirt taker's argument halts from its inherent weakness. Auckland, he say 3, is.poor, and the foot seems sufficiently notorious ; it is also disaffected, presumably on account of its novelty ; and because it. is poor and disaffected therefore it ought to get and have more government. As if little government led to- poverty and : nmch government ;ta wealth. Experience would indicate a conclusion the very reverse of this. “ Toq much water bast thou, Ophelia.” It is not want of government but want-of public Spirit that keeps Auckland poor. It is already ..overrun by officialism. Reform," like Charity, pin st begin at home, All the Reparation and Government that ever were devised will not make corrupt legislator# pure or selfish men liberal. Separation plight give a little more place and pay to the “Old Identities ” about Auckland (and this is no doubt what is chiefly cared for), but it would not and could not touch the

sweltering mass of poverty to be found in its back slums—men and women enticed through, the delusive promises of these ■same “ Old Identities” to settle among them —poor people now aufferingall the anguish of hope deferred which maketh the heart sick. • Auckland has grand resources and may yet become a noble place ; there is not. a true colonist who does not wish it well; but it will require a different class of men than the present to occupy its prominent places and take the lead in its government to bring -about the -desired, consummation; if Mr. 'Whitaker really wishes to improve the city and province of which he is Superintendent,• as 'we hope he does, he-.must bethink- him of what is to be done among the settlers themselves and not what is to be done by others for them. He speaks of a Lieutenant Governor ; at present a Relieving Officer to distribute a poor-rate among those in need of help would be more to the purpose.