PATRONAGE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 75, 4 December 1862, Page 3

PATRONAGE.

I'o the JSdiior of the Hawke's Say Times. Sir, Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to the policy or impolicy of trying to purchase peace by abject submission, there can be but one opinion on one part of the duties of the Government, that, whatever system is adopted, the very best men should be appointed to the offices of native mediators, or ambassadors to the Lords of the different Provinces. On this point Government and opposition are at one, in theory, while practically we see offices in the native and diplomatic departments bestowed, as other appointments are, on men whose ignorance in some cases, and whose utter unfitness in others, is alike notorious. A policy! supporter in one case, a personal friend of a prelate or of a subordinate member of the missionary clique in another, are but specimens of the manner in which public appointments are filled. From a Hunter Browne, who, fresh from the fertile plains of Canterbury, wearied perhaps with contemplating the growth of the crack settlement, enters the Commons House of New Zealand, forms an alliance with the pro-JMaori missionary party, is used as a puppet by an abler man behind the scenes, has his name attached as chairman to a long report on the Waikato King movement, and when beat at the next election, is quietly provided for by one of the native offices which his ow r n votes and those of his allies have rendered either necessary or unavoidable, to a Colonel or Captain fresh from the mess-room, whose high moral principle allows him to judge others charged with offending against a law that he himself openly, violates, we see the most important branch of the public service made subservient to political alliances or personal friendship. One exception to the rule appears, and deserves to be noticed. Mr. John White, of Auckland, has been anpuinted .Resident Magistrate at Wanganui. In the opinion of your humble servant, this is the best appointment that has been made under the policy. "While differing considerably from Air. White in his views on native affairs generally, he being, if not quite a peace at any price man, at any rate strongly imbued with the idea of the power of moral force over the natives, it may be permitted me to testify' to Mr. White’s high moral character, Ids integrity, and to his extensive acquaintance with the New Zealanders as a race. He is active and zealous in the discharge of his duties, and has been many years connected with the Government in the native department. What special private instructions he may have received from Sir G. Grey it is useless to speculate ; hut it is almost morally certain that he would not quietly allow' natives to amuse themselves by assaulting and robbing settlers, as appears to be the rule in another district that I need not mention, unless he was specially enjoined by Ids master not to interfere. The settlers of Hawke s Bay' might well congratulate their brother frontier settlers of'Wanganui on the appointment of Mr. White to °their district. If Government officers are to be of any real service to the public, a proposition upon which there appears room for considerable doubt, then it may fairly be hoped that Mr. White's appointment will prove to be, for once, “ the right man in the right place.” bon once, ignorance and incapacity have not been preferred before knowledge, experience, and ability'. Yours, &c., A Saxon. Almriri, 26th Nov., 1802.