Separation would benefit the Middle island both financially and politically; one member had said that bya strong central Government the weaker interests would be protected ; but he had seen combinations even in this House which could hardly be justified; the fact was that the members of the Middle Island had no real interests in the Northern Island, though chivalrous members of it might vote large sums of money for the war. Other in conveniences also arose from the connection of the Northern and Southern Islands, yet a great deal of sentiment—a fine thing, but apt to mislead—was uttered in farourof unity. There certainly was a great similarity between his views and those expressed by the Postmaster- General on the hustings; he too would divide the Northern Island into three portions, giving a part of Auckland to Hawke'sßay, and Taranaki, being a small province, to Wel- Jington. Taranaki he believed had not re sources sufficient to maintain a constabulary force necessary for its protection, and could not stand alone. The management of native affairs should, in his opinion, be then in the hands of the three Superintendents, and the expense of them should be borne by the countries. He would like to see a full share of i he debts of the colony borne by the Middle Island in case separation was obtained, yet members made objections. He hoped provin cial jealousies would cease at the present time, he, as Superintendent of Canterbury, was corresponding with the Superintendent of Otago for the purpose of bridging the river between the Provinces, and though there might be differences of opinion on minor sub jects between the provinces of the Middle Island, he believed that on large questions they would be agreed. He had hoped to hear some arguments in favour of the unity of the colony but had not heard any of importance. If separation was obtained, the islands would still be part of the empire, and could still be federated in cases of a common interest or danger. He had not worked out any definite scheme of separation, but be hud made a pledge to his constituents that he would not give his vote until he had heard the question ably argued, so that if the Committee came to a division in five minutes he would beat a loss to know on which sida to vote. 