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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 30, 19 February 1879, Page 2

Thb English telegrams to hand contain the unwelcome news that England is now embroiled m a war with South Africa, the first issue of which has proved most disastrous to the British forces. Fortunately, the contradictory nature of the telegrams furnishes reasonable hope that the intelligefice is yery much exaggerated, if not m a great measure unreliable. - "Whether or- not the massacre of the troops is of the serious nature reported- the Home Government -have lost not a moment m taking steps to punish the transgressors'and perhaps on no former occasion has .such commendable activity been exhibited by the "War Department. The news of the disaster did not reach London until the 16th, and the following day six hundred infantry, two cavalry regiments, and two batteries of artillery had started for the seat of war, while sufficient re-inf orcements to stamp out the rebellion were to have started before the close of a week. Perhaps at the present critical stage of affairs there is ho man m the British Empire who is so well c.lculated to offer a a word of : advice' as the Premier of this Colony. His long acquaintance, with the native tribes of Africa, and the able manner m which he held the. reins of power while ruling over that, portion of the British possessions, gi^es his utterances upon the subject a weight which would not be allotted to the d.-ctum if any one else, and consequently it is interesting to note what Sir G-eorge proposes to be done m this trying crisis. The telegrams intimated that great fears were entertained for the safety of Natal, and that the Governor and the High Commissioner had demanded instant re-in-forcemfents. After advising that all Btep3 should be taken to conciliate and secure the good will of the Boers, Sir George urges that instant measures be taken for tbe safety of Natal, which is a district containing 40,000 Europeans scattered throughout 220,000 Zulus, who occupy all the strongholds m the country. So necessary does he deem this work, that he counsels the use of all the troops m, that, rathgr! than |m employing them m an^ojF^naiwTßSnher.. While that is bemg--iii3fiefTihe Governor should visit" the various tribes of British Caffraria and Natal, to secure their allegiance and 00-r operation if necessary. In concluding, his memorandum, Sir George says :— " It must not be thought 'that it is poseiblo by one campaign, however successf ul to secure South Africa against the Zulu nation. Now that numerous people have been roused merely to defeat them m one or two action., and then to Abandon the country would be to leave. Natal, m a worse state than it was ip before the war was begun. It is now nece__ary to provide t horbtighly for thepermanent safety of- Natal, and of the pou2fcr/S3yj-*8 feattiMiact that 6oloigrw~i the Qijlonyof'tihe papevjof yGOoa^appe/ " """" •■•"''.■ .".Thi's can only be done on a definite plan, which will certainly require at* least 4 or 5 years, Jin order that it mfty be thoroughly worked out. The".completion of this plan would noiyre-jiiirp the. permanent presence of a lar ge iaiiitary fdrce, if it is instantly entered upon , and methodically conducted. Once the safety of the European population m Natal is thoroughly assured, the military expenditure wopld become comparatively small." „'■.' ~',' Although thew can be no doubt that the gavage-j warlike though he bej will have to succumb to British prowess and the science of 'warfare, atill the struggle* now entered upon is hi a far more grave nature and lasting charater than with the Ameer of Affghanistan. Quarter of a century ago the British forces had a slow and troublesome fight With the bushmen of Kaffir .Land, and although at that time the Nutiv_3 bought their experience of the invincibilty of Engli.h soldier's at a dear -price, still before being subdued they proved themselves stubborn foe. aiid troublesome enemies.