The Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2198, 24 May 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1870.

The debate in the House of Lords on the withdrawal of troops from Hew Zealand is interesting, on account of the full explanation given of the reasons which have induced this coarse of action. Earl Granville is placed in the position of many other ministers under responsible Governments; he Las to bear not only the reproach of his own personal misdeeds, but that of the policy which he has inherited and has to carry out. So much has been written upon his want of courtesy and the contempt of Colonial relations that has still characterised his dealing with New Zealand, that many people are curious to know how he has succeeded in defending himself successfully in the House of Lords. His speech in explanation was made on the night of March, the 7th, and as it is too long for most people to read with pleasure, an outline of it may not be unacceptable. The first portion of it was merely a review of the policy of the Colonial Office under the Duke of Newcastle, Mr Cardwell, Earl Carnarvon, and the Duke of Buckingham, He showed that this policy had led to the gradual withdrawal of the British troops ; the Government having determined on that step first, in consideration of the “ past history of the Colony ;” and secondly, •“ on account of the complete confidence ■“ he had in the numerical superiority ■“ of the English settlers, and their perfect ability to cope with the Na- “ tives without assistance,” The Duke of Buckingham also “recalled the “ Governor (Sir George Grey), whom “ the noble earl could not get to obey “ him,” This being the course of policy adopted by his predecessors, he did not consider it would have been “ fair to “ the Colonies to lead them to suppose “ that a change of Government would “ entail any change of policy,” and he “ accordingly repeated the orders of “ the Duke of Buckingham.” Since giving those orders news had been received of outrages and crimes, but he did not consider that “ they in them- “ selves constituted a sufficient reason ” to induce a change in that policy. He had been accused of rudeness in certain portions of his despatch, which had provoked and annoyed the Colonists; but

it was only after Sir George Grey had pointed out “ that an indignity had “ been offered them, that they really “ discovered the foot.” He paid a high compliment to Sir George Grey’s power, ability, eloquence, and aptitude ; but above .all to his quickness in “ dis- “ covering grievances, and magnifying “ them when discovered.” As a proof he referred their lordships to the Line Books containing copies of his correspondence with the Duke of Buckingham, accompanied by u memoranda « ],y Mr Stafford and other ministers “ equally violent.” Notwithstanding these, he (Earl Granville) considered the Duke of Buckingham was almost continually right in his controversy with Sir George Grey, who of necessity was as often in the -wrong. He thought the Duke somewhat blamable in not insisting on his instructions being obeyed. Earl Granville then adverted to the speech of Mr Higinbotham in Victoria, and described his word drawings of the House of Lords as caricatures like those painted portraits appended to “ Vanity Fair.” Commenting upon the various proposals that were suggested when our disappointed statesmen looked so gloomily upon Colonial prospects, he expressed himself pleased that he had taken no step to interfere with Responsible Government in New Zealand. He pointed out that it would have been folly to have guaranteed a loan of £1,500,000 to a Colony with an export trade of about four millions, and an import trade of about five millions, “ to be spent in any man- “ ner it pleased for military purposes.” On this point he remarked —“ I believe “ that you ought not to give a gua- “ rantee if you do not know how the “ money is to be disposed of; and it “ would be infinitely worse if you were “ to try to control and manage the ex- “ penditure by persons over whom you “ have no power. It is against the “ interest both of a young State and a “ young man that they should bo cn- “ couraged to borrow, and should have “ facilities for doing so.” He then remarked on the different ways of dealing with the “ military occupation ” of New Zealand, and showed that although twenty years ago it might have been retained in the hands of the British Government, it was impossible to recall the powers conferred upon the Colony, and “ to reassume the responsibility of “ its government.” With regard to the British taxpayer contributing to Colonial defences, his Lordship puts his problem in this style —“ II there “ are two men, A. and 8., in this “ country (England), and if A. re- “ mains at home and pays towards the “ taxation of this .country, and B. goes “ to another country, where he is in a “ more prosperous condition, it is not “ reasonable that A. should be called “ upon to pay for the defence of B.” In further defence of his policy, his Lordship pointed out the disadvantages of merely employing Imperial troops for the defence of mid closed his remarks as follows - And, my lords, ever since that policy was adopted, ever since it was clearly understood in the colony what the course of Her Majesty’s Government was likely to be, from that moment I have had the satisfaction of seeing affairs there gradually and continually improve without break up to the present. I have also had the great satisfaction of knowing that men like Color'd Whitmore think it advisable that the troops should be taken away. I bare had the consolation, top, of hearing from the Bishop of Wellington the other day that he had received a letter from a good authority in New Zealand, stating that he has not known when the affairs of the colony were in so good a position as they are at the present moment. (Hear, hear.) There are in thw .country two statesmen of New Zealand, who have cppie over to persuade Her Majesty’s Government to let the regiment be detained in the colony, apd secondly, to make arrangements for their future local military organization. I cannot say how much I lamented that my Hrst duty was to inform them that to leave the regiment was a proposition which it was impossible for Her Majesty’s Government to comply with, and I hope my uobje friend will think it no want c£ respect to bin? it I .that I regretted still more in their case than ip his that 1 had to refuse to yield to the very forcible appeal made by the authorised representatives of the colony. (Hear, hear.) And here I wish to bar public witness to the manner in which these gentlemen opened the negoeiations. They abstained from going into certain topics They decided that they would not go back into past history, in which their knowledge of {local affairs and local geography might puzzle me to a considerable degree. I believe, however, they came here animated by a disposition to do the beat they could for the colony, and I also believe that they are fully convinced of the disposition I feel to do everything I can to put our relations on the most satisfactory footing with that splendid possession of the Crown which they represent. With regard to honors, which may seem trifling matters, but are of considerable importance, as showing the interest which Her Majesty takes in the colony, Her Majesty has been good enough to sanction the bestowal of honors on Colonel Whitmore and Mr MT.ean, whose services in thp beginning were invaluable in the negotiations with the natiy.es. It is also intended to confer honors on the friendly native chiefs, which I am told by those best acquainted with the colony is likely to produce tiro best effect, (Hear.) Moreover, the Admiralty have gent out orders to make every possible demonstration with our naval forces in support of the colonists. Wo have done all that we can, but' I am not prepared to answer the question of the noble earl in the affirmative. I must add one thing which I. ought to have mentioned. We have offered New Zealand any number of commissioned and non-com*

missioned officers for the local regiments, and if, by the offer of land, money, or other inducement, the colonists can prevail upon men of one of our European regiments to take service there, the Commandcr-iu-Chic has stated that they are at perfect liberty to do so. We are. to retain the Hag and the number of the regiment, but the officers and men are at liberty to take service in the colony. T think that some young officers and steady men may be tempted to do this, and thou the colonists will have the necleus for an army. I believe that is the very best way to aid the colonists.