SELF-RELIANCE.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 849, 25 January 1866, Page 2

SELF-RELIANCE.

The Daily News remarks that “ every successive mail from New Zealand confirms the wisdom of those who maintain that the British colonist ought to be left not only to govern himself, but to provide for his own militai y defence, at least against those enemies who are not made so by his connection with the mother country. How long the war between the British troops and the natives of New Zealand would have continued it is impossible to conjecture ; but Since the Colonial Secretary announced his intention withdrawing the British troops the colonists have displayed an activity and vigour in war for which their warmest friends in this had not given them credit. The colonists have adopted new tactics.The plan of attacking the natives pahs with overwhelming numbers, and of making approaches according to the regular system, is now abandoned. It was tedious,- and even when most successful the mass of the fighting garrison always managed to escape. Whether it be that the colonists know the country better, or that they are reaping the benefit of the knowledge possessed by the friendly natives, their allies, or that the officers of colonial volunteers ax-e more dashing or more earnest in the task which they have undertaken, we do nut pretend to decide : but

certain it is that since the colonial troops have come to the foreground the defeats of the natives have been more disastrous, and been accomplished with smaller numbers. The colonists themselves have given ample proof that they are quite fit to -cope with the natives in the field, and the presence of the imperial troops must be admitted to have been a mere useless expense. * *■* When the imperial troops were withdrawn the colonists certainly * lost an army, but what they lost in numbers they gained in strength of purpose and unity of command, and an additional balance in the exchequer. Animated by these views, Mr. Weld and his colleagues boldly advocated the withdrawal of the imperial troops, and the wisdom of the policy has been amply justified. Left to themselves, the colonists perceive that they must unite policy with force in their deal, ings with the natives. That they will be able to acquire all the land. they want by purchase at a far less cost than by war, no one who knows them or the Maories, can doubt; and it must be remembered that the restrictions on purchases which left the native with an absurd and ridiculous price for his land, and the colonist with a doubtful title, were imposed by the authority of the mother country. The colonists have now every motive for treating the natives fairly, and it is instructive to observe what they have done since they were left to ‘themselves. They have not selected as Ministers those who had shown animosity against the natives, or who had advocated the cause of the landjobbers On the contrary, Mr. Fox was notorious for his leaning towards the natives ; and Mr James Fitzgerald, who now holds the office of Native Minister, is Well-known for his strong views in favor of the Maories. And unless Mr. -Fitzgerald abandons those principles for which he has hitherto been distinguished, there is no reason to suppose that the natives will be treated unjustly. Indeed, the proclamation which was issued on. the 2nd of last September by the Governor, under the advice or, Mr. Fitzgerald, proves that he still rigidly adhered to his principles. The terms proposed in Mr Fitzgerald’s proclamation are the mildest which have yet been published. Not many months before Governor Grey proclaimed another amnesty, but the exceptions were much more numerous. No doubt, the Government may be . exposed to the charge of inconsistency by varying the terms upon which pardon is offered. But, whether this conduct be consistent or inconsistent, it furnishes conclusive proof that the policy of the Weld Ministry is not one of revenge, or even of an unjustifiable severity.