THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S NEGLECT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 75, 12 August 1843, Page 300

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S NEGLECT OF NEW ZEALAND.

[From the New Zealand Colonist.']

In a recent number we adverted to the real character of the question which the English Government will have to decide in this colony, viz., whether it will maintain the supremacy of the law over both races, or will abandon its sovereignty of New Zealand. This really is the point now at issue, and the existence of this settlement is involved in the decision. We at least can see; no middle course which does not contain within itself the elements of a collision that would, be fatal to the, prosperity of the colony, and end in the extermination of the New Zealanders. Whatever . may be the particular mode adopted, the British Government must establish a real dominion over the whole of these islands, supported by a force which, by demonstrating the futility of resistance, may insure the submission of the natives. If not, and it will not abandon the colony, it can only maintain' a precarious and unhonoured authority, useless to the settlers whom it is bound to protect, and destructive of its . own dignity. The settlers at this 'place have a deep' cause of complaint against the British Government, that it should have left this settlement so long without adequate protection. , The fete melancholy affair at Wairoo,. although we. regret to believe attributable to the rashness of the whites, has shown that the colony can no longer be, allowed to remain in. its present defenceless position without imminent danger; since, if the investigations which the local Government will doubtless direct should establish a charge of murder against either Rauparaha or Ranghiaita, there is great reason to doubt whether the whole force at present at the disposal of the Government would suffice to ensure their capture. Or, if they were taken, it would probably be after a conflict the results of which might involve' the whole of the two races in war. In the one case the impotence of the Government would be shown to the natives, and the moral force of the English race, already weakened, would be altogether destroyed — and, in the other, the struggle (however confident we maybe of its termination in our favour) would lead ■to the ruin of the present race of settlers. These are results which the English Government ought to have foreseen j and guarded against. But, on the contrary, they allotted to this colony a force almost ridiculously disproportioned to its exigencies. If all the natives are to be taken as British subjects, then there are 150,000 British subjects in these islands to be kept in order; or, if they are to be regarded as independent, there is a like number against whom the settlers may require to be defended; and for these purposes there has been a force of less than 100 men. Divided between the five principal settlements of Wellington, Nelson, Auckland, New Plymouth, and the Bay of Islands, there would not have been a party of 20 men at each.

This settlement, however, above all others, is entitled to the protection, since it contributes in a larger proportion than any other to the expenses of Government. No authentic accounts have been published, to our knowledge., showing the amount which we contribute yearly to the Colonial Treasury ; but we have heard it stated at £8,000 above what is necessary to defray the expenses of Government in this place. In return for this contributionjjwe have a clear right to be defended by .the Government against dangers from whatever quarter arising; and the fact that we have beenMefipfor so long a period with no other protection than a few cojßtables, implies a charge, of neglect against thflftovernment of the very gravest nature. • *

Importance of Cookery. — Experience has proved that cooking renders food really more nutritious ; but to produce all the beneficial effects which it is capable of yielding, skill isTequired in its exercise. The difference in the apparent quality of the same kinds of food, when prepared in dissimilar ways is very striking. It is found that the .richness of a soup depends more upon a propor choice of the ingredients, than upon the quantity of solid nutritious matter employed ; much more upon the skill of the preparer in concocting the whole, than -upon the amount of money laid out in the purchase of materials; while its nutritive qualities are apparently in proportion to its agreeable flavour ; thus affording an example oft the old proverb, that A whatever pleases thepalate" nourishes." Since a very small quantity of solid food, when prepared properly, will satisfy hunger, and support life, and health, men employed in the most laborious- works may,* by the art of cookery, be nourished on a comfortable and varied diet, at a very -trifling expense* It is supposed that, by' a proper {attention to the. culinary preparation of food, and to the economy of fuel during the process, the expenses for the. subsistence of a family, especially that of a labouring man, might be diminished' nearly -one-half.— Household Year Book.