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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 76, 11 December 1862, Page 3

\\e notice a remarkable change in the views of the Wellington Independent of late, on the great question of the colony. So long as Mr. Fox was Colonial Secretary, 210 outrage was too gross to he condoned, no concession too great to be yielded, to meet the wishes or gratify the tastes of our aboriginal lords. Of Sir George Grey’s ability to win them to allegiance there could scarcely be a shadow of doubt, according to the Independent, and those who ventured to doubt the assertion were treated as enemies, for whom no punishment could be too severe. Now, however, Mr. Fox being, happily for the Colony, and more fortunately still for the Independent, the leader of the opposition, a post well fitted for his genius, the Independent sees lawlessness from a different point of view, and even goes so far as to hint that concession may be carried too far, and that it will be necessary to vindicate the law. We congratulate our elder brother on the change, not doubting it will be to the advantage of the public as well as that of its proprietary. The Nelson Examiner, in reference to this subject, says : We have to notice a symptom that may indicate some progress of the question in the mind of the colonists. We do not know to what extent the Wellington Independent represents public opinion, but a strange alteration of tone is apparent in it. An article

on the Wanganui outrages in the number of the 28th ultimo, will certaiuly unsettle the night cap of the New Zealander lately the organ of Mr. Fox, in Auckland, ami always the humble servent of Sir George Grey. The Independent thinks we have had enough of such a state of things ; it is evidently dissatisfied with Sir George Grey, who a few months ago, was in its colums the man for the occasion, “The saviour of the colony.” After a double fling at Governor and Ministers, it states that “the proper course is now self-evident,” and then ends in heroics, from which it is enough to to quote “lasting disgrace,” “black injustice,” “insults,” “protest,” “pagans shall our children be.” The New Zealander alone continues faithful to its idol; it shuts its eyes and opens its mouth as of old, like a venerable automaton. It professes to see nothing, but avows implicit faith in his Excellency.