NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 791, 12 November 1853, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

(From the ” Sydney Morning Herald,” October 15.) The interesting colony of New Zealand is at length emerging from the difficulties which surrounded her early existence. Founded originally rather by accident than by design, the British settlements on her stormy coasts have grown into important and flourishing communities, in spile of (he ruinous conflicts between rival systems of colonization, and the short struggle for ascendancy between the two races of men who arc destined to form one ol the greatest nations in the Southern hemisphere,—a struggle which at one time threatened to end disastrously for (lie hardy adventurers from the North, who, in a spirit of enterprise second to none that we have witnessed in modern undertakings, had risked their all with the noble aim of colonizing and civilizing that fair and fertile land.

To Governor Sir George Grey is mainly due Ihe credit of this happy result. The wisdom and energy displayed by him in all his acts from the day that he first assumed the Government of New Zealand —his discretion and decision in dealing with the hostile and exasperated rebels of the native race—his masterly conduct of the war—his conciliatory measures towards the Maorics after he had triumphantly displayed the power of the British arms—his weli-considcred measures for improving their condition —won for him at the lime (ho high approval and implicit confidence of the colonists, the natives, and the Sovereign whom he served. Lord Grey pays a well merited tribute to the character of Sir George in his recent work on Colonial Policy, He says that the Cabinet of Lord John Bussell placed such unlimited confidence in him, that they scarcely gave him any instructions as to the course lie should pursue, and even allowed themselves to be guided almost entirely by his advice in the general policy which was maintained towards New Zealand.

Sir George Grey had no light task to accomplish. The financial difficulties which were created by Ihe war against Heki were such as might have puzzled many a man of even greater experience in colonial governing than he had acquired in South Australia. The powerful influence of the New Zealand Company was hi ought to bear against him in almost every detail of his administration; and the strong parly among the settlers who were bent upon a premature establishment of representative Government Kr the colony allowed him no rest. Yet the policy of Sir George Grey triumphed over every difficulty,—and overbore all opposition. Confident in the soundness and justness of his views as to the necessity of conciliating the natives, he did not hesitate to assume the responsibility and odium of suspending the free institutions granted by Parliament in 1846, foreseeing that their operation would infallibly have alienated the minds of the proud and jealous natives, who, though contributing largely to the revenue, were excluded from any share in the representation; and whose keen understandings quickly comprehended (he inevitable result—their permanent subjection to the dominant race. The Governor was severely blamed, both in the colony and at home, for this despotic exerciseof authority ; but the Home Government, unbiassed by Ihe parly views and passions which prevailed in Ihe colony, judged his] conduct rigid, and confirmed his acts. The practical result has been to establish the most friendly relations between (he English and the Maories —relations as friendly, at all events, as can in the nature of things exist between a civilised and what was but lately a savage race, and to remove all danger of those destructive and exterminating wars which slain with blood the pages of the early history of America. New Zealand, however, has now obtained all (hat (he most ardent friends of political liberty could reasonably expect, short of a total overthrow of British rule : which we cannot suppose

apy section of the colonists could contemplate fojr a moment. It will be a matter of the grpatest interest to the Australian politician to wdteh the working of that form of Constitution which is now' happily established in the Islands, its complicated details, rendered necessary by the peculiar circumstances of the country, may, at first sight, puzzle these among our ow i political men who have been accustomed to tin; more centralised form of Government which has grown up here; but New Zealand, with her local Councils and General Legislature will afibrd an instructive example of (he working of (hose principles of federation which must ultimately prevail in Australia. Viewed in this light, the sister colony possesses now' an interest which hitherto she hail not acquired in our eyes. In a commercial sense, New Zealand may be said to have entered upon a highly prosperous career. The gold discoveries on this continent, which have exercised so large and so beneficial an influence directly upon the condition of the people of (he mother country, and indirectly upon many other nations of the world, have no! been without their effect upon her. The agriculturist, who had been struggling against adverse cirpuraslances, and sighing for an available market, now secs before him a field in which he may at once push his own fortunes, and confer incalculable benefit upon the hundreds of thousands of people whom (he lust of gold has attracted lo these shores. For many years lo come, the produce of New Zealand will find a ready market in Australia. The Maori, no less than his while brother, will reap large advantages from the opening up of new channels of trade. The establishment of steam communication will facilitate the intercourse between the elder and (lie youngeroff-sbools of Great Britain, and (he mutual interchange of (hose kindly offices in (he course of trade which are the lies! and most endearing links between nation and nation.

And now that the fanciful land theories have been exploded—now that the Governor of New Zealand has, with a boldness and sagacity characteristic of the man, thrown open the boundless resources of the country to the industry of the settler —New Zealand has fairly entered upon that great course which her friends have always predicted for her, but which the clouds that had settled over her horizon lately seemed to overshadow with a fatal influence.