DIPLOMACY.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 59, 10 January 1883, Page 2

DIPLOMACY.

The relations between our Lite Gov- j ernor Sir Arthur Gordon, and his ; Ministers, appear to bave beer, of st j most remarkable kind. We learn \ from the Post tbat "the correspond- | ence recently laid before tho Imperial Parliament, having reference to Native affairs in New Zealand, includes two remarkable Ministerial memoranda and some very characteristic comment- thereon by Sir Arthur j Gordon." The article goes on to | prove in a most conclusive manner j lhat Sir Arthur. Gordon is a diplomatist of the first water. In other words, that Sir Arthur never hesitated for a moment to "garble" and alter sentences in public documents when he quoted from them, when such alterations could be maue to suit Lis particular views and fancies which he wished to impress on his superiors in the Colonial Office. Unfortunately for him and his future reputation for truthfulness or honesty, he practised his diplomatic talents at the. expense of two men who are nt-erly ignorant of the word '' fear," and Lave seldom been accused, by even their most bitter political opponents, .of a disposition to Lide the truth, or be sparing of its use. It was highly improbable then, that either Mr Bryce or Major Atkinson would, from timidity, or even from a reasenable doubt of the truth of the copies of the despatches which have reached them from Home, ! refrain from exposing, what, if pertained to pass without contradiction, would have a most damaging effect on them with the authorities at the Colonial Office, and with the people of tLe colony, which is of still greater importance. TLe replies and comments made by both Mr Bryce and Major Atkinson are of a most convincing nature, and go far to prove that consistent honesty is far superior in the end to the most delicate and intricate diplomatic art. It is a great pity tiat Sir Arthur Gordon should have been so weak, not only for his own sake but for the sake of his responsible advisers. On Native affairs he appears to have held Luc one set of opinions which had been formed long before Lis presence was inflicted on this colony. He believes himself to be a sort of Messiah, born for the salvation— of what peculiar kind nobody knows — of all yojle of color. He regards as base cu./r-nirarors and criminals all colonists who have been foremost in the advance of civilization ana colonization in the South Seas. He forgets that it is mainly fr jm the courage and energy of such pioneers that the necessity was created for appointments to be filled by such men as himself, and it is from the people whom he professes to despise tliat he draws the wherewithal to purchase his bread and butter. One grand lesson he has taught the people ol' this colony, and it is one for which in after years we will be deep'y grateful to 'him. He has taught us that we can do without a Governor appointed by the Imperial Government. When it is found that the government of the colony goes on so well as it un doubtedly has for many months since Sir Arthur took his departure, under the administration of the Lhief Jus tice, it will gradually cause men to think that the honors of such a high office might safely be conferred upon a colonist. We venture to believe that when that day comes it will not be possible for the Press to say of any Governor — " Sir Arthur conveniently, or with extraordinary obtuseness, ignores the real point at, is.-ue, which was, that he could, within an hour, have ascertained whether an unverified accusation of a most grave character, which he secretly transmitted to the Secretary of State, against oue of his own Advisers, were true or false, but that he did not take that proper step, and so circulated a slander which did not even come to the knowledge of the slandered Minister till six months afterward, when it was almost impossible for the latter to remove the false impression which had been created by the stab in the back. Such conduct cannot but be severely condemned by every right-minded person,"