THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1982, 11 September 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1869.

It is curious as well as interesting to read the different opinions expressed by the Home papers on New Zealand affairs. The Times very kindly suggests the organisation of a force of Friendly Natives, officered by white men. We have never yet heard a good reason why the plan has not been tried. Perhaps it may be that the Colonial Government has no faith in their fidelity, or may imagine there is something repulsive in arraying Maori against Maori. We cannot tell what the objection may be. We have suggested the plan several times as a preferable to importing Ghoorkas, and as being cheaper than paying for ornamental British troops. Perhaps it is too palpably simple for the Colonial Legislature to adopt. There is, however, great reason to hope that the armed constabulary will prove fully equal to internal defence, and that the time is rapidly passing away when external aid will be felt a necessity. If it be true as reported, that Te Kooti has been ravaging the territory of the Friendly tribes about Taupo, he is only multiplying the number of his

enemies, and paving the way to his earlier destruction. The condition of the North Island is changing. Gold is effecting as marvellous transformations there as it has done wherever it has been discovered in quantity. Hie population of whites is increasing fast; and when a few more thousands are added to it, leaning upon Government and Government employment will be objected to there as much as it is in the healthier atmosphere of the South Island. On the other hand, the determination to unfold the riches of the land may lead to increasing complications. It is not at all likely that energetic men, such as will be attracted by the prospects of gold mining, will be content to have their proceedings cramped and • fettered by Maori customs and feo long as pastoral pursuits, with a little primitive style of farming, formed the chief employment of the white population, their numbers were too few and their locations too scattered to enable them to take a decided course of their own. No doubt the Government will do their best to restrain any action tending to endanger peaceful relations with the Maoris, but it is hardly likely that the cumbrous customs of the Natives with regard to land will bo very scrupulously observed by men who attach none but a utilitarian value to it. Should surface diggings be discovered of any xichness, the traditional usages of the Maoris would soon be set at defiance, and the Native difficulty set at rest. The thousands who would be drawn hither would not long tolerate the barriers placed in the way of development by the Maoris. They would ask few questions about their right to the soil, and in all likelihood would prosecute their labors with arms at their sides, which would be used with little scruple were occasion for self-defence to arise. Judging by the tone of the English press, they look more gloomily upon our condition than we do ourselves. They seem to imagine that we are in a state of confusioq»and distress bordering

upon bankruptcy. The Australian and New Zealand Gazette, a journal that is

supposed to be specially well informed on Australasian affairs, can “hardly “ see what is to prevent the Colony “ from being utterly overwhelmed with “ the burdens laid upon it, and the fairest portions of the North Island “ abandoned, at any rate, for some “ time to come.” It will, therefore, create no small astonishment at Home, when the news reaches them of the doings in Auckland. When they hear that this North Island, supposed to be on the verge of bankruptcy and abandonment, is able to raise

capital for the prosecution of gold mining on an enormous scale, and is thought to be sufficiently secure by those resident in it to justify investments of so gigantic a character, they will be apt to imagine this plaintive cry for protection and help proceeded from colonists more frightened than hurt. When they find that schemes are projected involving for their prosecution more than the amount of the Colonial revenue for two years, they will be apt to wonder at the rapidity with which the Colony can change from a state of abject fear to one of buoyant hope. They will marvel at the sudden collapse of the war, and will scarcely be able to comprehend where settlers, impoverished by terrible Maori attacks, stripped of thenpossessions, driven from their homesteads, houseless, propertyless, can find funds for speculations which are usually supposed to be only entered into upon savings beyond the ordinary capital wanted for business and every-day requirements. Earl Granville’s despatch and his scurvy treatment of New Zealand meet with few defenders. We look to English comments upon our present position with some interest.