PUBLIC OPINION AT HOME.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2397, 7 December 1870, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION AT HOME.

Yesterday, our contemporary quoted an article from the Home Hews, condemnatory of the public works and immigration plans of the General Government. It is pretty well known that the “ recent writer” of the article is a resident in New Zealand, and that, so far from the opinions expressed being “Home” ideas, they are really Colonial ravings. The London Times, whose views seldom mislead as to the direction of public opinion, thus expresses it “The Colonists understand at once tlicir strength and their opportunities. Instead of dreaming about insurgent .Maoris, they are planning railroads, waterworks, and tciegrauls." They arc considering a comprehensive scheme of colonisation, and are willing to apply a million sterling to the encouragement of immigration. The reg mixes of the Colony, as they clearly discern, are almost infinite, and need only development. One of the most judicious measures before the Legislature concerned the employment of native i on public works in the Northern Island. This plan would have tbe double effect of providing the Maoris with peaceful occupation and bringing the country itself more effectually under the control of civilisation and government. If ever men were horn soldiers, tbe Maoris are these men, and yet even they may occasionally have gone to war as much for subsistence as anything else. It will be no slight advantage to turn these skilful warriors into hardy laborers, J and surely the genius which produced all those impregnable earthworks in the shape of fortified 4 pahs ’ might be easily diverted to the more useful arts of civil engineering. It is intimated that, except for the purpose of putting this particular work in hand without delay, the Colonial Legislature might actually decline, :n its altered moor], the pecuniary assistance which the Imperial Government has recently offered. By way of evincing the sympathy of this country with the colonists, Ministers offered to guarantee a Colonial loan to the amount of L 1,000,000 sterling ; but the Colony itself, after a calm review of its own resources, is now proposing to raise, on its own unassisted credit, just four times that sum. Naturally, therefore, the question is asked whether the aid which is not required for the larger loan can bo needed for the sjnaller, and so (inn is now the belief of the colonists in their future prosperity that a trifling difference in the interest annually payable appears unworthy of cons nitration. It is impossible, in short, to conceive a more satisfactory report of alfain; than that now before us, and if, as we are assured, nothin.; beyond the maintenance of peace is needed to oonveit all these anticipations into realities, the end ought not to he doubtful. "We do not expect that Maori outbreaks will at once become things oi the past, but a judicious employment of friendly natives, combined with the requisite display of Colonial strength, will surely reduce the wars of former days to the dimensions of petty disturbances. ” We suppose, now that the Dnilp T'nio'x has ceased to act as agent to the European Mail, editorial kecn-sigtedness can see nothing in its columns. The above extract is published in them,