THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1862.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 18 September 1862, Page 2

THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1862.

A re-organization of the colonial Ministry, consequent on the late resignation and appointments, has not been productive of any very material modification of the general policy of the government; neither could it, for (as we have already taken occasion to show) the Governor himself, and of course any new ministry, stands bound to fulfil all the engagements entered into by the old, he they ever so unwise or impolitic, thus it was felt to be too late to try to introduce any native policy that should run counter to the promises made to the Maoris by the Fox party when in power, or to the expectations ot the natives founded on such promises; the more especially as it had become known that Sir George Grey was identified with the leading features of the scheme, and notwithstanding all that has been said about the responsibility which it was proposed to confer on ministers, he would only have worked such as were ready to agree with and aid him in the carrying out such views. i he new Ministry were, however, too wise to accept of such a mere shadow of responsibility as that which was offered to them, which would have been merely responsibility for results, without control of means, which permitting merely the advising, and not the management of causes, would have held the colony liable for the effects and their cost. That we have not over-stated the case is clear from a reference to certain despatches of his Excellency to the Duke of Newcastle, in one of which (November 30. 18611 he

says “ If auy serious difference tabes place between us upon these subjects, (Native matters) I must, as in other cases, resort to other advisers, and appeal in fact to the General Assembly,” and in another (of the same date), which we shall take an early opportunity to give in full, he excuses himself for having ,neglected to carry out the publicly recorded determinations of Governor Browne and his advisers, because : 1. The Waikatos would not submit to the terms, but would, prefer a general war. 2. To make a demand on the Maoris with which they will not comply, would supply them a pretext for uniting to resist us, although at variance among themselves on all else. 3. Friends and foes being .mixed amongst them, one party cannot be attacked without injuring the other party. 4. They cannot be made to understand what is meant by the Queen's supremacy. 5. It is better to waive the terms than to involve the colony in war ; and sums up the whole in the following sentence; —“I think that a consideration of these arguments will show that it is better for me to retract a decision authoritatively expressed by the Government, rather than to follow a course in which I can see no advantages.” More than the above need not be quoted to show that any responsibility conferred on colonial ministers would amount to a practical nullity, the substance still remaining as before in the hands of her Majesty’s representative. But let us look a little closer to the subject, and suppose the responsibility accepted by Ministers, who, seeing the impracticability of the new native land scheme, and the consequent check it must of necessity give to the progress of the colony, should refuse to approve of it—would their refusal induce a change of policy on the part of the Governor ? Certainly not. He himself informs us of his course-—dismiss them, and get others that would agree with him, in fact, no other course would be open to him, for if the waste lands of the Island are not given in fee-sim-ple to the Native race, he will stand chargeable with a breach of faith with them, and we well know that although we may refrain from carrying out the publicly-recorded determination of the Government against natives in rebellion, no such course could be followed in regard to expressed intentions in their favor, and as sucli considerations will appear as plainly to the home Government, where the native lands bill is probably already on its way for their sanction—we may consider the measure as virtually passed and already become law. Our steady conviction that it will completely fail to open up the country to colonization and the enterprise of the Anglo-Saxon has been before expressed. If the “ mind of the Maori is dark” because lie fancies he will not get the full value of his land from the Government, how shall he he satisfied of this, when the place of the Government is filled by the Colonist ? If he will keep his corn or potatoes till they rot, rather than accept less than he fancies their value in exchange, what shall prevent him from effectually locking up the soil of the country from the influence of the same fancy ? To us it is certain that time will enforce the necessity of recalling the concessions now about to be made to the Native race in the matter of the Waste Lands, and we trust that some statesman in the Imperial Parliament will see the necessity of so guarding the terms of the measure as may show the right of the Crown to control the disposal of the lands as a trust for the benefit of all, in case the native shall fail in efficiently executing the duties committed to his charge.