SIR GEORGE GREY'S POLICY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 21 November 1861, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY'S POLICY.

The following article Irom the -A i /r Zealander of the GSh November, gives the fullest particulars ot Sir (1. (trey's proposed policy. The departure of His Excellency Sir G. George Grey, by H. M. S. S. Pelorus oa Monday last, accompanied by the Colonial .Secretary Mr. Fox, on a visit to tho liny of Islands and ilokianga, will prove to be, we hope the commencement of a series ot peaceful campaigns in the Maori territory which will end in restoring (lie friendly relations between the races, and establish once more law, order, and security in this lately distrusted colony. It was, we understand in consequence of an invitation personally delivered by our old ally Tsinati \\ aka Nene (who no sooner heard of Sir George Grey’s arrival than he hastened to Auegland), that the Ngapuhi tribe has been honored by his first visit. Influential Chiefs from other districts, including the lower AA aikato, have also been to see his t.xcellcnev and have urgently requested him visit them, which we understand lie has promised to do as soon as lie returns from the Bay of Islands. H is said that it is Governor Grey's intention to oiler to the -Natives a system of civil institutions smiier to f at he introduced at the Cape of Good Hope, and which led to the settlement of difficulties of tar greater magnitude than any which exist here. The Cape Colony was. we believe divided into Districts, over each of which was placed a European Commissioner, Resident Magistrate, and other officers, who were assisted bv a 1 ds(r;els Council of leading Chiefs, and subordinate Councils, similar to the Eunanga of the New Zealanders. To every Rnnanga or Council were attached, a chief policeman and o certain number of subordinate constables, all being Natives. These olheers, ns well as the members of District Council all received pay, varying in amount ; judicial powers, within certain limits, power of local taxation and of constructing public works, were conferred on those bodies, liana fide settlement by Europeans on lands within the Native districts, on certain terms, and always with the consent of the Native -Authorities, was encouraged, and thus hundreds of Europeans soon became dwellers beyond (he frontier, to tho mutual advantage of the races. This system, somewhat costly in the first instance, was inaugurated only about seven years since, yet, before Sir George ‘Grey left the Colony, if was as we hare heard, actually out only paying its own expenses, but leaving a surplus.— (he funds being provided by the local voluntary taxation of Caflres and other Native races. AYc have no doubt that when Sir Cl. Grey’s plans ior New Zealand shall have been laid before tne public, whether in print or evidenced and explained by the practical introduction of the system, their aptitude tor the emergency will be admitted by all who really understand the “Native question.” There will of course be some small critics and some of tho worshippers of the “ British Lion” who hav= predicted that the sword alone can solve the Native difficulty, who will fail to sec any merit in Sir George Grey’s plans. The fact, however, that this system has been successful at the Cape, will induce all reasonable men to afford it a fair trial here, and to give their best support to the experiment. Tho Governor’s exertions will be backed up by all those who have the welfare of the Colony at heart. Tho annual cost, of active military operations in New Zealand, with such a force as that which we have now in (he Colony, would not, we believe, be less than one and a■ half wi/lion sterling ; of this sum one half may bo taken to represent tbe extroardinarv war expenditure : the other half will ho the cost of maintaining the same force in time of peace. The difficulties between the coast of troops now here, if used merely as a protective force, and their cost as an aggressive force, will therefore be three quarters of a million annually. AVe do not suppose that for a long time to come Sir George Grey will advise Tier 'Majesty’s Government to remove a single soldier from the Colony; and if by a wise and pacific policy’ a sum so large can be saved, we suspect that fact will go far towards ensuring the approval of that policy by the loan bnrthened people of Great Britain. The characteristic from which we argue most favourably’ in Sir George Grey’s preceding* is the quietness with which he has gone about his work. He has been a month maturing his plans: receiving in tho meantime personal visits from such leading Chiefs as have come in to Auckland te see him. He lias launched no protocols ; neither threatened nor cajoled ; and now he is otf't o the Bay of Islands accompanied by a single Responsible Minister and an interpreter, for the purpose of taking tho first practical step for solution of the problem before him. “ A third class dork and a sealed letter ” are no longer to be the medium of communication with the Native people. “ His works will follow him.” will tell their own tale, and if we arc not much mistaken, the thing will be done before it is talked about. The Natives of New Zcnnland have lost faith in the barren generalities and unfruitful promises of tho Representatives of the British Government but when they find that something is being done, and done with their own assistance and concert, they will learn to value the hand that guides them in their search for “ light,” and aids them in the great, work of self-elevation on winch the national mind has been intent for several years.”