GENERAL CAMERON AND THE GOVERNOR. (FROM THE NELSON EXAMINER.)

Evening Post, Issue 66, 26 April 1865, Page 2

GENERAL CAMERON AND THE GOVERNOR. (FROM THE NELSON EXAMINER.)

The differences between General Cameron and the Governor and his Ministers, have been alluded to in a guarded manner in our columns, as probably sianding in the way of the policy of Government. Those differences are now common talk, and so important in their character that it is not fit longer to veil them. According to reliable information, the case stands thus: —General Cameron is not content to confine himself to his military functions ; he holds, and roundly expresses political opinions adverse to those of Sir George Grey and his advisers, and that too so ofteni and in ways so practical, as to make him a most unfit agent for a Government now united in the opinion that promptitude and resolution are needed in dealing with our native disorder. It may be that his languid action is a consequence of his political opinions, or those opinions may be taken up, unconsciously no doubt, to justify his languid action. We do not wish to impute evil. If General Cameron might have served New Zealand — and his country — better, we have seen others in his place who have served them worse. A wide distinction will always be made in minds of colonists between him and General Pratt, not to at all compare the imbecile General Gold. But, whatever his motives or merits, it is inconsistent with the freedom of government, or indeed with any government at all except a military dictatorship, that the Commander of the Forces should take up the office of political censor of the colony. Were he a Clyde, a Napier, or a Wellington, he would be worse than useless if he assumed the tone that has been assumed. If Sir Duncan Cameron believes that he is ordered on a service of spoliation, by a Government indifferent to the lives of British officers and men, he is entitled to the opinion— narrow-minded, ungenerous and false though it is. But the Commander of the Forces is, by such an opinion, disqualified for his post — he is unfit to execute the orders and serve the Government he thus characterizes. It is a duty for him, one which he ought not to need teaching, to quit a position where he can no longer do anything but mischief. Need we- illus-

trate the evils of an unwilling and hostile agent. His principle may be too high to permit him in any absolutely disloyal action— but how fertile his mind is in difficulties ! How he undervalues his resources ! General Cameron has marched with great deliberation, sometimes— shall we say it — slinking along by night from Wanganui to Waimate, the half-way house to New Plymouth, as if to avoid collision. He demanded more troops for this service, which was executed with little opposition, the insurgent Maoris travelling beside him c n his right flank. Several large redoubts have been made and garrisoned with 400 men, but the largeßt fortified pah of the natives on the banks of the Waitotara has been left in his rear unassailed. Two engagements, at Waitotara and Patea, were attacks by the enemy. In the latter ease a bold party, of less than one-fifth the number of the troops, attacked and were repulsed, leaving above a fourth of their number dead. The line passed over was practicable for horses before the march began, but we cannot learn that much road has been constructed, or that the line of march is made safer for road-parties. Weary of obstruction, his Excellency and the Minister for Defence themselves undertook to occupy Pipiriki, a strong position commanding the Wanganui river, at a place about seventy miles from its mouth, and a focus of native inland communications. The use of the Gundagai commissariat steamer, at the time in port, was denied by the General, so the party of 200 Taranaki military settlers intended for Patea, with a number of friendJy natives, went up the river in canoes without an accident, and occupied this formidable place before resistance could be organised. It will be retained in future for the security of the out-settlements, which cannot le approached in this extremely rugged country so long as the highway of the river is defended. Two hundred men do the duty for which General Cameron demanded 2000, or the relinquishment of his posts in Ngatiruanui and the retreat I ehind Waitotara. The occupation of Pipiriki has had already a salutary effect on the natives. Pehi, who was converted t 0 loyalty by the muskets of Mete Kingi and his men, at first sulked at the capture of this stronghold, but the fear of losing land as well as the dignity of chatelain has since brought him round. It is possible the movement may even dissolve the garrison of the great Weraroa pah on the Waitotara, which is now cut off from aid. At the same time that disunion paralyzes one part of the service, we are happy to contemplate agreement between Sir George Grey and his Ministers. Our opinion has • been often expressed of the character of Sir George Grey's statesmanship, and of some patent defects in his character. No change in his action is likely to alter our opinion of the past. We hold aloof from pronouncing on motives; a faithful student of character will always be cautious in so doing, and in trying to bring any new phenomenon under the old theory. Suffice it to say, that Sir George Grey's present action is remarkable. It is startling to learn that the Governor who could not agree with the late Ministers cooperates with and goes before advisers who are certainly not less resolute in adherence to the same policy as their predecessors, but who. by a ruinous finance, are rendered much weaker, and placed as it were in his hands. It confirms the impression we have before stated, that personal incompatibility was at the root of the quarrel. Be it how it may, co-operation is now found possible ; his Excellency has helped the colony in its financial embarrassment, by requiring the Commissariat to draw on security of the colonial debentures, whilst he lias strongly urged the Imperial Government to cover the whole loan with their guarantee. The rupture between the Government and General Cameron no doubt a^ds force to the view taken by Mr. Weld. The removal of so intractable a force as British troops is essential to our pacification and the government of the country. But we cannot feel absolute satisfaction in their departure until the finance of the colony is restored. Peace with savages is a question of strength ; and strength, except for very short efforts, is a question of money. Peace we shall presently h ive because we are showing ourselves strong, but deprived of 10,000 well-armed ' men, unable to find employment and pay for the Wnikato settlers, with a revenue quit* stagnant, and without a balance in the TreaV sury or credit enough in the preatafc state ox

the market to float eight per cent, debentures at par, where will our strength be in six months' time? We hare the formidable Pai Marire fanaticism stilJ to dtnl with. Six months do not extinguish auch flames when once kindled. Then we have the Government of the pacified districts to provide for, not to enumerate the local troubles and wants of almost every province, and the collapse of almost all the provincial treasuries. If the Imperial Government does not help us more liberally than even the guaranteeing the three million loan, hard times for the colony, and anxious times for its Government must be within a few months of us. The planning for all these matters m no light task — the Government proper, independent of finance— and we think Mr. Weid will not be disturbed in bis honourable duty. But the colony must brace itself for difficulty, and its Ministers should not be too proud to represent the case vividly, and seek the needful aid at home. __^_^__^_^__