THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1928, 10 July 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1869.

Mr. Fox is not likely to get through the session without several long discussions on a variety of subjects. This is only what might have been expected. The House of .Representatives contains men of all shades of opinion on political matters, and in the absence of those centralizing resolutions that would have enabled constitution-menders and Amateur-war prosecutors to move their amendments, they are preparing for independent action, and intend to drag their hobbies into notoriety by separate motions. These will give them an opportunity of displaying their eloquence. No doubt during the long recess these various schemes on various subjects have been imagined, brooded over, elaborated, and brought into form. It would be a thousand pities, that the nurslings

of months should never see the light, and that those wonderful political inventions should not be paraded before the admiring eyes of honorable gentlemen’s constituencies. Mr Fox intimated that no constitutional changes would be attempted by his Government ; that provincialism would be maintained. This proposition does not meet the acceptance of those who would have all power emanate from one centre, or of those who would more minutely subdivide it. Mr Fox reduces the war to the cost of defence only; other members would continue the aggressive ; while some would altogether initiate a new system of tactics. It must be admitted that some of these resolutions enunciate truths which it would have been much better for the country to have recognised earlier. Thus Mr Tancred’s, as reported in the telegram received by our contemporary the Daily Times, point to tactics that ought to have been acted upon in the earliest days of the Colony. There is not an instance on record in history, that does not inculcate the necessity for constant preparation to repel attacks on the part of the border settlers. It was so between the Highlanders and Lowlanders, in Scotland ; between the border settlers of England and Scotland. It is so between the French and Arabs, in Algeria ; between the countries of America and the Indians ; between the Boers and the savage tribes of Africa ; between _ the British possessions, and semi-civilised nations of Asia; between the Russians, and the various tribes of Central Asia. It might really have been imagined that the Maoris were a race of angels instead of the most warlike of savages, when the unbounded trust that appears to have been reposed in them is considered. With or without the sanction and control of Government, settlement has been pushed in the North Island beyond all reasonable expectations of defence. No one need wonder that outrages have taken place. The surprise is, that considering the temptations offered, there have not been more. In old times, under the feudal system, castles would have been built in commanding situations, and barbarism would have been beaten back into the bush. The time has gone past for such local despotisms but on the death of the feudal institutions, no substitute was provided applicable to a similar condition of society. What is now wanted is to localise the war. We have come from a country where population is so homogeneous that no arrangements like those necessary in New Zealand are required, and with our notions of right and wrong, such arrangements are very difficult. Amongst other doctrines held by the Imperial Government during the employment of the British troops in the Colony, was the necessity for protecting the Natives against the aggression of the Colonists. It is evident that this is still a strong feeling with British statesmen, otherwise Earl Granville would not have required an explanation why a reward was offered for the body of Tito Kowaru. No doubt Mr Tancred’s resolutions, if canned, would induce, if not perpetuate, a constant system of border warfare. He proposes that “ the out-settlers should be entrusted “ with large powers for providing for “ their own safety and quelling disturb- “ ances, arms being supplied by the “ Government.” Were such a scheme adopted, the doom of the Maori raceor at least of many tribes—would be sealed ; for we can hardly suppose that they would share a better fate than the aboriginals of Tasmania, the last of whom died a few years ago. There is no likelihood of its being carried, however, although in accordance with another resolution it would be wise to allow those who have recklessly placed themselves in dagger to retire from their position into one where they can be more easily and effectually protected, even should they be allowed to select “ land of equal value near the centres of population. The various propositions on the notice paper seem hardly likely to embarrass the Government much. The House has placed Mr Fox in power for a specific purpose. He is required to reduce the war expenditure; and he proposes to do so, ft would be, therefore, very unwise to hamper him in his operations by conditions that form ho part of his calculations, and the adoption of Avhich might induce totally different arrangements. He thinks he can see his way to spending not more than L 150,000 on the Colonial troops. But we are not to flatter ourselves that no more is to be spent for defence. This is the cash payment. If British troops are obtained, we get their help on credit. But if they arc not obtained, Avhat then 'j Mr Fox saith nothing on that subject.