The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 518, 13 July 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1866.

The General Assembly is in session. His Eveellency Sir Geoege Gket has delivered liis opening speech, and like v o :,t vice-regal productions, it is a very safe and meaningless oration; still, it gives sufficient data, combined with the opinions vaguely expressed by the members of the Executive during the iate election*, to justify some comment. As usual, the native difficulty is the burden of his song — the native policy is the only topic that he appears to have thought worthy of more than a few passing sentences. On this question his Excellency has been frank, though not explicit. He congratulates the colony on the successful operatious of General Chute, gives a slight review of war operations and achievements since the last session of the Assembly, and shadows forth the probability of more troubles, to come — contingencies which may arise, and must be provided for in consequence of the removal of the troops. With diplomatic vagueness he intimates that the prestige which has for ages been attached to British troops ■ was lost;.d.uriiig the command of General CAjiEßOJTj'vbufc has m a measure been regained by the Qnvso qlQwqv&l Gaum

It is the old thrice told tale — Exeter Hall vapor — the Maories during war have stopped at nothing that was brutal, and are to be pardoned and petted, and again let l6ose, to renew their operations. He says: — "The East Coast operations are an unbroken success. Penitent rebels have been restored to liberty, but the ringleaders have been temporarily transported, and the murderers dealt with by the civil tribunals. He hopes that through perseverance in this policy of kindness and firmness, to complete the pacification of the country. We should have thought that even Sir G-eoege G-rey had learnt by this time that if the Native difficulty is to be overcome — if the rebellion is to be ended, it must be crushed out by sharp and decisive fighting. The coaxing and imploring, the feeding and clothing policy has been followed until the resources of the colony have been impoverished, debts contracted, that will hang like a millstone round the neck of the colonists, causing for very many years heavy taxation and discontent ; yet this is the policy which Sir G-eorge G-ret is evidently determined to perpetuate. The Native war, it is clear, will be carried out with the same indecision which has marked the past and procrastinated its termination to the present time. The Chatham Islands, it would appear, are only temporary penal settlements — that the prisoners there have only been temporarily transported, and therefore we may conclude that should a flimsy peace be contracted, the Maories are to be set at liberty to hatch fresh schemes for war. This is most unsatisfactory ! If the war is to be terminated it must be by action, " quick, smart and decisive." The influence of the large-hearted, amiable old ladies of Exeter Hall notoriety must be exorcised from the governing mind ; or, we shall still have to face difficulties, and carry on a slow and harrassing war which may continne for years. This question is evidently chief of all in the mind of the Governor, and it is of great moment to the colonist. "What is to be the future war policy ? Not the smallest intimation is given of the proposed scheme of relieving the Middle Island of future war expenses by arranging for each Province to fight its own battles. The other topics of interest appear to have been but slightly touched upon. The opening of the Panama Mail Service is referred to as a matter for congratulation and legitimate pride to New Zealand and New South Wales. He informs (what we have long since known) " that telegraphic communication is to be established throughout the two Islands. The goldfields are alluded to as having maintained their character for productiveness. We are informed that rigid economy in all departments . of the Government is exercised, and that the improved credit New Zealand has received in the Home market, as evinced by the recent sale of debentures, is matter for congratulation. These are mere common-place, sterotyped nothings, that can be taken for what they are -north. The next two items, however, are of considerable moment, viz., — a revision of the tariff, and the imposition of Stamp duties, and a consolidation of Provincial Loans. We have no particulars as to the nature of these measures ; all we hear is that they form part of the Ministerial programme. The Press, it is clear, has convinced the Government that in a semi-populated colony the adoption of an Income Tax would be the absurdity intensified. There is nothing to indicate in what way the fiscal system is to be revised. If it is proposedtoincrease the duties on the necessaries of life, considering that the colonists of New Zealand are the heaviest taxed of all British colonies, it should be universally and determinedly opposed ; but, as to the question of stamp duties, there cannot be two opinions as to its being a legitimate augmentation of the revenue of the colony. The most important item, as far as Southland is concerned, is the proposed consolidation of Provincial loans. If this is "a measure to place Provincial debentures on an equal footing with Colonial debentures, it would be greatly for the benefit of the Provinces ; but wiiat will be asked of the Provinces, as compensation for the Colonial endorsement ? If we are not very much mistaken, it will be the Crown Land revenue ; and let that once be taken irom the control of the Provincial Legislature, and Provincial Governments will cease to exist, or become useless and despised. The consolidation of the loans is most desirable ; but it is possible that we may have to may "pay too dear for the whistle." We need not go more largely into the subjects alluded to by Sir George Grey's opening speech until the Ministerial programme is exposed ; still it is certain that the greatest possible attention is required on the part of the people of the Middle Island as to the proceedings in the General Assembly during the present session. The Northern members are solemnly pledged to act in unison, private opinion has by consent been locked up in the safe of the Auckland wirepullers, and the . mechanical politicians have all learnt one step and one motto — the pivot of their creed is — the South pay, and the North reap the harvest. To obtain this, they are bound hand and foot to leave no stone unturned, no logical arguments or statistical reason can move them ; they are pledged and they will redeem "their pledges. The Southern members have no unity of feeling or sentiment. A careful analysis of the expressed opinion of the various gentlemen who have' been elected can lead to no other conclusion than that there can be no united action unless there is public activity and prompt expressions of political opinion brought to bear upon every member by his constituents when important questions are to be debated. Southland, beyond all other Provinces, is called upon to be watchful, active, aud persevering.