THE COLONIZATION INQUIRY.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 157, 4 December 1847, Page 3

THE COLONIZATION INQUIRY.

The debate on Lord Lincoln's motion has ex* hibited the actual position of what may be called distinctively, from its materials, the Colonization Government, in respect of practical colonization. To say nothing of Lord John Russell, who distinguished himself by some bold acts during his Colonial Secretaryship, the Government comprises Earl Grey, a noted leader in the new school of colonization; Mr. Hawes, sometime a missionary of the new lights 5 Mr. Ward, chairman of the committee of 1836, and Mr. Charles Buller, joint author of the Durham Report. The position of these statesmen, collectively and officially, is peculiar. There seems to be no settled understanding either between them or in the individual minds. Mr. Hawes comes out as the avowed apologist of the Anti-Colonial Office for neglecting colonization, and the eulogist of mere emigration as it is at present. Lord John disagrees with Mr. Hawes— he doubts the merits of emigration j and what Mr. Hawes opposes he adoptSr And be quotes a despatch by Lord Grey displaying a third difference : Lord John slights, Lord Grey invites schemes of colonization. Mr. Ward has not disavowed the views which be so ably promoted in 1836. The opinions which Lord John Russell and Mr. Hawes, and Lord Grey resist, are eloquently supported by Mr. Charles Buller,— in his total silence. The " apostles of colonization," it appears, have got into power together, in order that they may agree to differ, and cooperate in doing nothing. The arguments by which they support the status quo are diverting. The admiring Fitzgerald of the " Rejected Addresses," could not be more universal in his eulogy than Mr. Hawes, in singing the praises of all past Administrations back to 1826. He even vaunted for them the measures which had been forced upon them,— such as' the recognition of the Wakefield principles in the Australasian colo-

hies. It is curious that the progress which Earl Grey, Mr. Hawes^Mr. Ward,' and Mr. ClJarlea Buller, helped to force upon governmentt in colonial affairs, should cease as soon as those gentlemen are themselves in office ; it seems to have much the same effect as if you, were to make a coachman and his horse exchange places. Being furnished with an opportunity for putting tber doctrines they have preached into practice, they turn round and require proof of their own premises j the apostles demand to be converted to their own creed ! Lord John Russell is lavish of arguments in the subjunctive mood j presuming freely what " would be," or would not in divers, cases* He shows an innocent trustingness in authority. For instance, he says, that Mr. Chas. Buller made a most admirable speech when he was in opposition ; but when his plan was submitted to Lord Metcalfe, that functionary gave " reasons which satisfied Lord Stanley and his colleagues," that such a plan ought not to be adopted. Do the present Ministers swear byLord Stanley X And Lord John Ruisell did not explain bow Lord Metcalfe had acquired a more thorough knowledge of Canada, in respect of colonization, than Mr. Buller himself; nor what aptitude — what qualification, what training,— Lord Metcalfe had ever exhibited for judging of scientific colonization. We are not aware oC any. As an authority in that line, his name certainly cannot compare with Mr. Buller's. But to Lord John Russell an authority is an authority 4 and because Lord Metcalfe was a Governor General, there is no faith in Mr; .Buller* who was only a Governor General's Secretary. ************* * * By whatsoever mode— whether they reject the plain mode of a Commission, like the English and Irish Poor-law Commissions, or not — Ministers must see that the inquiry tea real inquiry, and the return made to it above suspicion Any other course would entail a very painful amount of disgrace. The friends of colonization may take another caution. Lord Grey has the credit of sometimes mistaking other people's plans, even after he has opposed them, for bis own j and of treating them as gipsies treat kidnapped children, disguising them by disfigurement. It would be very unfortunate if Lord Grey were to bring upon colonization measures the semblance of a defeat due to his own rash haste and capricious retractations'. We do not presume that he means ill now— that he will be governed by a perverse spite j be might most usefully contribute the aid of his critical abilities ; but it should not be forgotten that even bis concur* rence may be untoward. However, the subject is now too much under public attention, too much under the special notice of commanding., minds, to be in so much danger from that cause as it might once have been. Inquiry cannot be stifled, action cau no longer be hindered, except momentarily at the expence of something like self-destruction.— •Spectator.