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THE SEWELL SEPARATION SCHEME.

(From the Canterbury Standard.) The poet says that " coming events cast their shadows hefore," and it is on the principle of this metaphisical doctrine, we presume, that the idea of a disjunction of the two islands into separate Colonies has lately been gaining ground in the shape o( rag-ue uneasiness and a rumbling uncertainty that occasionally find vent in a chance political speech or stray paragraph in a newspaper. We know, however, that with mary persons " the wish is father to the thought ;" and it is natural that separation should be a favourite project with ambitious, mediocre politicians- third-rate hunters of place and distinction, and spavined racers for self-aggrandisement, for the consequent extension of the arena for competition must lessen the chances against their own success., and this attractively engrosses their ruling passion — sel interest. The grapes are sour whilst they hang beyond the reach of their limited capacity, arid hence the anxiety to get them lowered nearer to their own level. From the representations of such, parties others may be led to suppose that we are dreadfully injured by our other half, sr.d martyrs to all known and unknown grievances, and that we have no alternative from irretrievable ruin if we don't cut the connection. We should be amongst the first to advocate separation if we perceived that such an extreme measure were imperatively demanded for the security of our rights, and became essential to the vital interests of the Southern- Provinces. These contingencies, however, have not been proved or even plausibly represented by the most urgent clamourers for separation ; for their chief arguments consist of apprehensions of evils to come, against which they form this kind of insurance policy to save themselves Irom improbable losses of their own imaginary creation. A separation, whenever it takes place, must be considered a great evil, whatever provincial or individual, benefits it may confer; for the influence and prestige of a great colony will be reduced thereby to divided moieties composed of antagonistic principles arising from the irritations ; incident to all forcible disruptions of previously -close associations. We have shown in an article on the Native Question, a fortnight ago, that the principal cause of alarm is nothing but a che'merical bugbear used ingeniously for political capital. The dread of an overwhelming Native enfranchisement is equally groundless, iis.is.weWuknown to any person in the least acquainted with the circumstances of the Northern Island. On the mere question of the Seat of Government it is hardly worth while making it a j>rima facie case to sue thereon for divorce ; and even this grievance affects the pride of the Southrons more than any of their substantial privileges, public or private. Surely this point is not beyond the reach of a satis* factory arrangement if the Representatives of the North and, South, could deliberate in, a more amicable spirit, for a similar bone of contention had existed for years in Canada, a colony far greater than we shall be for the next half century, and yet it has been settled at length without disjoining the two Canadas, a result always thjeatened and apprehended, but which the wisdom of their statesmen has thus satisfactorily,, avowed. We -fear, however,. that tljere jexiste "amongst our statesmen too much of a petty, wrangling spirit and local jealousies to enable them ; ti) deliberate- fairly and dispassionately on any great colonial question which may involve a clashing with the respctive interests of the communities they individually represent. They have not arrived yet at that expansion of political ideas which sinks the

[ personal and local when opposed.to the general ' welfare of the whole, at the sacrifice of the good opinion, and , confidence : of their genial constituencies. For this,. however, we do not reproach ttiem, as their political experience has ..been acquired in N,ew Zealand, and we cannot •estpect great statesmen to spring up . spontaneously like mushrooms, however favourable our climate and soil for the dcv.elopement of bodily and i mental faculties. The power of unity has ever been proverbial with mankind, and when we possess that power we would be unwise indeed to resign it with* out the most urgent , necessity for so doing. Some talk at random about Federal union, but it is well known that no federation possesses any inherent principle of permanent adhesion and, in case of any rupture between its component parts, animosities and jealousies increase in rancour in proportion to the. closeness and ' intinJacy .of the previous compact. Others say our Island contains as much land as Great Britain, then why not become p. Great. Britain ourselves ? Admirable logic! Yes, we have certainly the' Kaikora ranges and their innumerable similitudes throughouttbe interior, but however useful they may become to otologists ami ornithological searchers for skeleton reminiscences of defunct Moas, they will hardly form a valuable base of operations for the construction of a great and powerful state. By getting a Governor of our own we may indeed acquire the opportunity of constantly using the tuft-hunting privilege of an obsequious entree to Government House, b but then the cost becomes a material item for consideration. It would also open a great number of placesfor a .whole staff of officials, but unfortunately the post of these too must fall on the hew colony. To weaken ourselves first'and then to increase our burdens are very paradoxical means of aiming at progress, and those who blindly or selfishly agitate the question of separation would do well to weigh all its bearings in a more liberal aud expansive spirit, and we are very much mistaken if their own common, sense unshackled by other interests, could not plainly perceive, the folly of driving it. to a premature iissne . unless forced thereto by ciicumstances unbearable and beyond the possibility of amelioration.' In that case certainly the principle of a mdc dnerude tinier might be applied, justly and beueficially in the aggregate, but in that case alone.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WI18600221.2.19

Bibliographic details

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1407, 21 February 1860, Page 5

Word Count
985

THE SEWELL SEPARATION SCHEME. Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1407, 21 February 1860, Page 5

THE SEWELL SEPARATION SCHEME. Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1407, 21 February 1860, Page 5