THE PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, AUGUST, 5 1890. Self-Reliance.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 55, 5 August 1890, Page 2

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, AUGUST, 5 1890. Self-Reliance.

Thebe has been a good deal spoken lately of self-reliance, and the policy adopted by Mr (now Sir) Frederick Weld at the time of the native difficulty. Many of the old settlers are familiar with what was termed Weld’s self-reliant policy at the time the North Island was plunged into a war with the Maoris, and when it was hardly safe for any of the settlers to live in the country districts, in fact, the women and children had to take refuge in the large towns. We had some thousands of Imperial troops at the time, but authority was divided as to what course they should pursue in ending the difficulty. The troops were practically under the command of the Governor, while the Colonial Government had to pay them, but could not direct their movements, and while the Government, the Governor, and the General were having a ,tri-angular duel as to what should be done, the Maoris were over-running-the country. At this juncture Mr Weld proposed a series of resolutions, which, in effect, meant that the Imperial Government be requested to withdraw the troops, and the Colony would fight its own battles. This was accordingly done. The settlers buckled on their swords and shouldered their rifles, and in a very short space of time gave the Maoris to understand that they would stand no more nonsense from them, and .peace was very soon restored. That was what is generally known as the self-reliant policy, and all honour is due to that noble band of early settlers who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of their country. The people of New Zealand are called upon to again take arms and depend upon themselves; but the enemy is not human on this occasion, it is a fight with financial difficulties. We have virtually told the English capitalist we do not want any more of his money, but intend to dig the wealth out of the soil and extract it from our mines, that we may enrich our country by our own exertions without the help of others in the same way, though under different circumstances, as did the early settlers resolve to decide who should be masters of the country, i The cry is: “ Let us put our own shoulders to the wheel.” This can be best done by co-operating together and making the most of everything which we possess. Unfortunately we have not got a Mr Weld now to say what should be done, and see that it is done; no, our so-called statesmen are at present engaged in the high and lofty task of reducing Civil servants salaries. Mr Weld did not care two straws about the position he occupied, but spoke out boldly, and had the pluck to say that if they did not care to adopt his policy they had better get someone else. How different do our public men act now, they do not seem to care what becomes of the country so long as they can scheme and contrive to get on the Treasury Benches. Seeing that we have no leader or statesman with the ability to originate a plan for our deliverance nor the courage to carry it into effect if they did, the people themselves must adapt such means as will place the country in a more prosperous state. It is very gratifying to see that the spirit of co-operation is taking root throughout the country, and as evidence of this fact the farmers around Blenheim, Nelson, and elsewhere, are about to form co-operative companies to increase the facilities for the sale of their produce, and thereby not only add to their own wealth, but to the wealth of the country. It is in such a case as this where those not directly interested in farming can assist the farmers by taking up shares, and thus show their

practical belief in co-operation, and a desire to adopt a self-reliant policy. Let it once be thoroughly understood what good can be accomplished by mutual assistance, and New Zealand will not long remain in its present depressed state. The early settlers placed their lives at the disposal of their country without a murmur, and all that is asked now is a little personal sacrifice of time and money from each individual member of the community that the enemy “ Depression ” may be driven from the country. It should be the duty of everyone to make themselves conversant with the wants of their country, and to take an interest in its affairs, as by that means they will best know how to assist in doing the most good, and by joining hands one with the other, show in no unmistakeable manner that they possess the spirit of self-reliance.

Captain Edwin reported yesterday at 2 p.m.; “ North-West to South-West gale with rain, after 10 hours. Glass fall again. ”