The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1081, 30 December 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, DEC EMBER 30, 1868.

TftE-yea£that.is now drawing to a close has^been prolific in eventful occurrences. At the commencement everything appeared promising, the Maori difficulty, we were assured, was solved, and no. further war need be expected. Great reforms were to be made in the constitu-tion—-reforms calculated to simplify the working, of the G-6'vernment, lessening its cost, reducing taxation, and promoting the progress of the colony. What has been the result?. The Maori difficulty, iaias far from- "being settled as ever — • murder, rapine, and. diabolical outrages have desolated the home 3of hundreds of the North Island settlers, and cast a dark shadow on the future. The promtseH reform in' the constitution has not been .redeemed, and taxation instead of being lessened will require to be again augmented; our leading politicians are fighting ona against another, with a rauk animosity most injurious to the welfare of the colony. It is generally understood "elsewhere that in time of war political istrife and' party, antagonism is silenced, all "joining to prove the truth of the maxim that "union. is strength," but New Zealand is an exception to the rule. The public men, and a portion of the ; press, are displaying the evil spirit of party feeling to an extent which entent which encourages the Hau-haus to continue in rebellion, stultifies the efforts of the Government in its operations to punish the rebels, and is leading to general discontent* ..This is not the time to discuss the Staitobd Native policy; bnfc 'it is right that everyone shauld seek jto_ render— effectual the" attempt made to punish , the relentless barbarians who slaughter with demoniac cruelty men, , women, ; aud children. Let ua. hope, therefore, that . with the passing -year party feeling will be laid aside, and however much opinion tray differ as to the best course tc be adopted for' the suppression of the | rebellion both parties will strengthen the hands of the Ministry in all that may be done in this direction — that the journalists of the North may come to a higher conception of their missiou than to bespatter every act of the Government as a blunder and all its officials incapables. The questions whether Imperial troops : shall be employed, the North Island declared a Crown settlement, or the colonists maintain the present, policy of self-reliance,, are all matters for fair discussion. If the press and the people would recollect this— and sinking all personal or political feeling unite for one object, viz.;.:— -the stamping out of the rebellion a very different state of matters would shortly exist, and the New -Tear might . become memorable as the .. year that terminated the war of races in' New Zealand. >. . ' ■ To come hearer horne — to address ourselves to our Southland readers, we can

without any compunction wish th^n vie I joinplimeiits of the season. Tae year I E that is: now. passing away has been marked by steady • advancement. Southland has made gjpt social progress—educational institutions bafe been established or revived in almost p every district, Musical and» Literary Societies called into existence, and other " similar Associations have been liberally c supported. The bitter party feeling and c personal antagonism which stood out like a plague spot at the commencement of c the year is scarcely now discernable, the : work of legislation is going on with ar evenness seldom experienced, and promises well for the future. The materia progress-has been also steady and per tain; trade has evidently improved, extensive road works have been carried out, immigration has been resumed, the area of cultivation has been enlarged, and the; mineral resources . developed. The railway to Winton will tend to open up the coal deposits in that district, and to facilitate settlement; all these facts warrant us in anticipating a year of prosperity for Southland. Whatevet may be the Northern political changes, or the result of the war it cannot interfere with our internal progress. Under these circumstances we can heartily wish our readers a Happy New Yejlß.