GENERAL ASSEMBLY-OPENING SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 297, 14 August 1865, Page 1

GENERAL ASSEMBLY-OPENING SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR.

[l’i'om the Lyttelton Times, August 4] The speech with which the Governor opened the Session of the General Assembly at Wellington may be assumed to express the views of the Responsible Ministry of New Zealand; and it has for that reason been read with an interest which governors’ speeches have hitherto not commanded. Even at times when he his responsible advisers have been on the best possible terms with each other, there has been till now a bar to complete unity of purpose. Let them disguise it as they might, or even forget its existence for the moment, the cause of disunion made itself felt as soon as the Governor and his advisers began to prepare for meeting the Representatives of the people. Then the Governor could not forget that Her Majesty’s instructions, forbad his following the advice of the colonial Min isters on the most important questions to be brought befoi’e the representatives of a colony, enjoying an otherwise liberal constitution; and the Ministers themselves could not insist on terms which would make them really free agents. At last, through much trouble and confusion, the colony has worked its way to a clearer and more intelligible position. At last, the relations between the mother country an i New Zealand are to be placed beyond the reach of misunderstanding. Out of an absurd attempt to keep up a system of double government have grown endless recriminations, which to the last, cloud the relations between the mother country and the colony ; but the good sense and resolution of the present Executive have put an end, we may hope for ever, to the anomaly. It is strange, after all that has passed, that Sir George should be the first Governor to inaugurate a thoroughly constitutional system. Many and varied incidents have led to this unexpected conclusion. It may be fairly surmised, however, that to the impracticable temper of Sir Duncan Cameron, the colony is most directly indebted for a speedy settlement of differences ; etween the Governor aud the colony. It was well known that Sir George Grey, at no very distant time, was by iiu means inclined to agree with Ministers. By the mail before we received a bundle of papers, laid before Parliament, among which was a letter of Mr Cardwell’s, in answer to Sir George Grey’s despatches, covering minutes by his Responsible Advisers. It appears that Ministers recommended one thing; his Excellency another; and the Governor was given to understand by the Secretary of State that her Majesty's Government approved the policy of Sir George Grey’s advisers, and not that which he,suggested.

What effect this dispatch of the Colonial Secretary’s might have had under other circumstances it would now be idle to inquire; it is sufficient for us that events had taken place in the colony which had already brought his Excellency’s views into conformity with those of his Executive. Sir Duneau Cameron absolutely declined to be guided by the Governor’s instructions or suggestions, and did all in his power to prove that the detention of troops in the colony was a mere waste of money. Sir George Grey was not the man to tolerate the attitude assumed by Sir Duncan Cameron towards her Majesty’s representative; and perhaps the unpleasant position in which he was placed helped to open his eyes to advantages of the position, taken by his advisers. When the Governor could not agree with the General, there was no third side could which be taken : and his Excellency must have felt that the policy proposed by his Ministers must, in the end, command the approval not only of the colony, but of the Colonial Office and the English people. It must be said for Sir George Grey, that when he had once made up his mind to accept the policy proposed by his advisers, he did so, as far as the public can judge, heartily and efficiently. The resolute tenacity with which the present Ministry have stuck to their principles has been rewarded, as we knew it would be rewarded, sooner or later. But Sir George Grey had it in his power to put off the successful hour fur a long and weary lime. The colony will forgive much, if he has the magnanimity at the last ty forget that he had to give way, and if he continues to give such active assistance as he has lately given in furthering the interests

confided to his charge. Under present circumstances, the Governor, even when he has accepted, in good faith, constitutional principles of Government, has much in bis power. Let us take Sir George Grey’s conduct in the matter of the Wereroa pah, as an omen for the future. The public will have read, wkb much In- • terests, the details of the capture of that stronghold. The taking of Pipiriki and Wereroa, by a handful of colonial forces, has gone far to redeem the prestige of the white race in the eyes of the Maoris, who have watched with undisguised contempt the late military tactics. The New Zealand colonists feel the most sincere regret at the position in which her Majesty’s gallant troops have been placed. They have been handled as British trcops are not wont to be handled. There seems to be a fatality about the conduct of New Zealand campaigns. General Cameron had his own reasons for the course he had taken ; and he must justify them to his superiors. We are sorry that a brave old soldier should have put himself in such a false position. But, for ourselves, we have at last learned a lesson by practical experience which has been taught elsewhere before. Pipeclay and formal tactics are useless in the face of a savage enemy in a savage country. We want original ability and dash in a man to whom is entrusted a "New Zealand campaign If the War Office had chosen to send out one of the many daring leaders of irregulars, trained in Indian warfare, the money” of English tax-payers and struggling colonists would have been saved ; and the prestige of British arras would not have suffered °as it now has. For the future, the colony will appoint its own commander-in-chief, who will be subject to the orders of the local Government. Then we shall have no more Waikato campaigns ; no more Tauranga disasters ; no more costly Wanganui parades through an unoccupied country ; above all, no unhappy recriminations between the mother country and a loyal but sorely-tried colony.