The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, June 13, 1844.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 45, 13 June 1844, Page 2

The Auckland Chronicle. Thursday, June 13, 1844.

Every one who pays attention to the business of the Legis ! ative Council, tcannotfail to observe (notwithstanding the difference of opinion upon the many important questions of debate) that as far as we are yet able to judge, the members appear individually to act according to their honest convictions of justice, and with evident desire of placing the prosperity of New Zealand upon a solid basis; and if doubts previously existed in any portion of the public mind as to the Governor’s desire to do good, the proceeflings of the last week are certainly calculated to dispel them. We admire consistency and think weM of a man who carefully forms his opinions, and firm'y adheres to them, irrespective of popular clamour, so long as the dictates of his conscience tell him he is right; but it requires a degree of candour and magnanimity not always associated even with great minds, to confess ourselves mistaken. Difference of opinion will always exexist, and much truth is in the old proverb “so many men, so many minds,” therefore from calm and dispassionate debate the candid enquirer elicits truth. The primary essential 1 point in all our enquiries i- to digest J the mind of former prejudices and i thus render it fit to receive the sacred impress of truth. The reasons are evident why so little good frequently Tesults from discussion 4 people commonly enter the lists without any desire to discover truth, but merely to establish their preconceived opinions; and even when carried away by the force of conviction, they have not the candour to acknow edge, or the moral courage to revoke their fallacies; and it will always be found that but tittle benefit will result from those discussions, where a po emic triumph is esteemed of greater importance than the acquisition of truth. But we digress from our subject; no later than last week a settled gloom appeared on the countenances of all the Colonists; the prospect of oppressive taxation weighed down their energies, and made many resolve even at great sacrifice of property to quit the Colony ; but we are happy to say that the cloud is removed, and the sunshine of hope again (we trust not delusively) lightens up their features. F Although distress may be as severely felt now as it ever has been in New Zealand, still we cannot help feeling that we are in better hands ; public opinion now carries some weight with it; the expressed will of a majority of the people is respected, and not treated with that marked indifference, and total disregard, that characterised the late government. The good effects of a change of policy cannot reasonably be expected to develope themselves in a few days, or even months; for the progress of improvement is usually slow; but wejeel quite confident with the resources this country possesses, and a good government, she will eventually, (and that at no very distant period) emerge from her difficulties, and assume a rank and importanc e among her Majesty’s Colonies secon to none* \ JZ \JJ d We have ever been decided advocates of free trade principles, and if any just and impartial system of taxation could be substituted instead of the duties of customs, it would in our bo fer better for the colon

but so long as it is essential to keep up that establishment, we think it is a much wiser plan to increase the duties, than to cripple the agricultural interest in its infancy, by oppressive taxation. The best plan of all for the people, would undoubtedly be to petition the Home Government tor an increased allowance towards the government expenditure of this colony ; if a petition firmly and respectfully worded to that effect were got up, it would doubtless receive the signatures of all the colonists, and being backed bv the urgent application of the Governor would probably have the desired effect; in the mean time we must submit to the proposed increase of duties upon imports.

An overland mail from New Plymouth which arrived there in the “ Bella Merino,” reached Auckland on Tuesday last, and we have in vain looked for our usual files of English papers, but find the letters only are for warded ; we wished to furnish some extracts shewing public feeling in England, on the subject of the Wairoa masacre, but must wait the arrival of the newspapers. By private intelligence, up to the 6th ot February, we learn that the news of the unfortunate affair at Wairoa iiad reached England ; a long article appeared in the Times, condemnatory of the New Zealand Companv, and the general opinion in England was that the conduct of the Europeans merited much censure. Ire’ancl is stated to be in a state of unparalleled excitement, bordering on Open rebellion. The trial of O’Connel 1 was expected to last a month longer; erv angrv feelings existed between some members of the Counsel for the Queen, and those who were employed in defence of O’Connell. Mr. Smith, the Attorney General, called out one of Mr. O’C’s. Counsel, and Mr. O’Connell brought the affair before Parliament, but the Attorney General was supported by Government Such is the state of excitement that all the Ladies and Nobility who could possibly get away, were leaving Ireland as fast as they could; and Sir Robert Pee! had declared in Parliament that the agitation should be put down at all hazard. LAND SALE. In the Gazette ot Saturday last, June Bth, is published an account of the Government Land Sale that will take place at eleven o’clock on Friday, the 28th day of June, at the Treasury. We are sorry to see such a limited quantity advertised, considering the large demands of the Land Claimants who have signified their intention of exchanging. We must conclude this is owing to the want of a stronger surveying force in the field. The Land at the W ahu is of very inferior quality, and quite bare of timber or even fire wood; and although much of the Papakura land may be good, it is a great objection to it having no water carriage, and being so far off. We hope soon to see other and more desireable districts thrown open for selection, as it cannot be expected that the land claimants will all suit themselves from the limited quantity now advertised.