The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 47, 23 March 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1878.

The returns laid before Parliament during the past Session, and now issued from the Government Printing Office, contain some very interesting information. Amongst others are co pies of the correspondence between Sir George Grey, when Gpvernor of the Colony m theyear 18-18, and forwarded to Earl jGrresy, tbe; then Secretary of State Colonies. The documents treat of the annexation or abandonment of the Fiji Islands, the Friendly Islands," New Caledonia, aud other islands m the Pacific. The subject matter possesses peculiar interest after the lapse of thirty years, when Fiji has become a dependency of the British Crown, governed- by a Viceroy ; and New Caledonia, the Botany Bay of the French Republic. In the despatch alluded to the present Premier writes to his superior : " Great Britain m occupying New J Zealand took a very important step. In occuping these island she secured a country dfEering excellent harbors for hier shipping, affording; supplies of timber of the ifinest quality for ship-building, flax for cordage, ample supplies of coal, and .provisions of every kind." Sir George, however, evidently was of opinion that this .bright picture had a reverse, that colonies m time of war were objects of great concern, of considerable expense to the Motlier Country, and presenting weak points to the enemy upon which he was likely to seize. Still, he wrote, "New Zealand from the warlike character of its inhabitants, their aptitude for military service, and -their growing attachment to Great Britain, there can be no doubt that, so long as it. is governed . as to secure the affections of its inhabitants, it would m time of war be perfectly safe as against any force which a European Power could despatch to these seas, but it would even be able to afford valuable and powerful assistance m time of need for the protection of" our neighbouring Australian settlement." Thirty years between them and now, aud now great the change ! At that time the now flourishing Colony of Victoria had ncft cut the painter which bound it to New South Wales', 1 and as Port Phillip was known only as a new settlement of some twelve years standing. Td-day it has distanced its elder sister m the race of progress, and takes foremost place m the Colonies of Australasia. The land over which New Zealand by aid of her dusky warriors was to have spread the. JEgis of protection can number more within its principal city than the home of the Maori can muster throughout its breadth and length. Thirty years ago, and it was rank heresy to dispute that the "wooden walls of Old England were invulnerable," Krupp had not invented steel rifled cannon, nor Sir William Armstrong produced his 100-ton guns. Iron-clads were m the womb of futurity, and turret-ships were unheard of. But the American war came, and with it a revolution m naval architecture and naval warfare. The fate of the gigantic Cumberland when opposed to the miniature Moniteur opened , a new era, and British oak was henceforth' at a discount. Sadowa was at hand, and the superiority of the Snider'and needle guns over the Minie became apparent, and men thought the acme of perfection had been reached. Armed with those master pieces of ingenuity, the Franco-Prussian war was entered upon, and the terrible power of the Mitrailleuse, became known. It may be that Europe is on the eve of another war, m which England may find it necessary to take her part, and looking back to his utterance of thirty years ago, we wonder if Sir George Grey now experiences the same feeling of security from an invading foe, or could make good his promise of protection to his helpless Australian neighbours. The document thus ' brought to light after being buried for thirty years m oblivion, revives memories of the past ; Sir George could never, have dreamed of the deadly struggll which lasted for" so many years between the kindly Natives, upon whose good services he then' so confidently built, or the gubernatorial hand would have never penned the lines. In no instance could the change which thirty, years have wrought be better exemplified than m the position of Sir George himself. Then the representative of -Majesty, sworn to uphold the rule of' the British Government, ' yet not long since openly charge with conspiring to sever the tie which binds us to Britain. Then, who would dare to impeach the loyalty of Her Majesty's Vice-gerent. But such is life ? The patriot of to-day is the rebel of tomorrow, and the conspirer against the laws of a country ere long becomes their administrator, just as Charles Z>u%, who m 1848 was tried for high "treason, thirty years later has a titled prefix, and drawß a pension from the Government which tried him.