The Southland Times. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1128, 22 March 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1869.

The self-reliant policy of Mr Stafford may be good in theory, bat it 'is bad in practice. It gives to the outside world a notion of internal strength which does nob exist. It pleases the home authorities, because it is calculated to exonerate them from future responsibility ; but it is in every way detrimental to the best interests of; New Zealand. The Imperial Government has been the cause of the native difficulties. The policy pursued in the eirly days w;u in every way a bid one. Ifc left to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the wh >le inanagiment of the affairs of the colon 7 at a time whan the greatest an >u it of power should have been entrusted to the Colonial authorities, an 1 by the pursuance of the miik and- water policy, it has impressed our savage foes with au idea that we are Incompetent to subdue them. In almost every transaction with the natives lately this has became a selfevident fact. They are in a far better position to coutinue the war than we are. Tiie Maori is a warrior fron instinct and teaching. With him it is a sacred duty, as soon as he his planted bid potato crop, to enter upon the war tracK. He requires no pay, he is easily supported, and possesses an accurate knowledge of the country. We, on the contraty, labor under many disadvantages. We are obliged to pay our troops, to keep up an extensive military Establishment, to find money for the interest on our debt, to cultivate the more peaceful art of colonization ; and to achieve all

this the colony possesses only 250, C00 inhabitants. Surely anyone with common sense can see it is a tax beyond our means. We must obtain assistance from the Imperial authoiities. They are bound by every moral obligation to afford us help, and it will be surprising indeed, ( when the the Assembly meets, if a strong remonstrance is not made to the home authorities on the subject. The * Wellington Independent' of the 12th inst., in a leading article thus writes on the subject :— " The departure of the 18th Regiment ia delayed for a time, but for « what time, for what purpose, and whether on any and what stipulations to be complied with by the colony, we have yet to learn. Experience has proved the extreme difficulty of procuring and maintaining a well-disciplined force in the colony, and the resort to Maori aid is one on which we cannot wisely depend long or to a large extent. Without croaking, we are bound to consider the strong tendency which our struggle has to become a war of races. Maoris are proud and self-willed. The natural man is ever so. Every time we employ Maoris there is more or less risk of misunderstanding. We do not anticipate any perfect union ot tribes against us as possible, but it is more than probable that our alliances will vary and fluctuate with the chances of war, imd the friction of our relations with one another, so as to make their help precarious. Nevertheless, we see no reason to alter tiie firm conviction so long entertained, that Imperial troop3 j ought not to be sought for by the colony unless as defensive garrisons. The harmonious working of Imperial commanders with Colonial Ministers, and a Governor partaking of both Imperial and colonial duties and pre- occupations is well-nigh impossible. The new evil must not induce forgetfulness of the old. But Great Britain can give us aid if she will } and with little or no expense ami no mon>l responsibility that she may not in honor accept and faithfully fulfil. Means the colony must have or the North Island will be depopulated, and the endorsement of our bills by the British Treasury will give us means. Men also we must have, disciplined and officered in the best possible way. A corps of volunteers, both officers and men, from the Imperial infantry regiments could be obtained at once if the Home authorities would consent. This corps, wholly paid and commanded by the Colonial Government, might be engaged for a period of say five years. It ought not to be absolutely detached from the Imperial army; both officers and men should have at least the discharge with good character. They might even be subject to be replaced from home, and in fact retained altogether on the strength of the British army. The responsibility of Great Britain would be a moralone. Her men and her honorable name would be lent to a Colonial Government which might (so cynics ?nd misbelievers in our honor will say) employ it to sanction and enforce vile and barbarous policies. We might challenge such doubters to produce any reason for such suspicion. But, at all events, the risk of dishonorwhich England runs at this moment is enormous, lest our war should, by her absolute refusal of aid, degenerate into a desperate war of races, Horrorand digsrace could not surpass that.' Again, tho ' Nelson Colonist,' of March 2, in speaking of the removal of the troops from New Zealand, says : — " What shall be said of England ? That in an hour of the utmost need, when a savage and cruel foe to her rule, in a far off land, had treacherously butchered her peaceful subjects of Anglo-Saxon race, and had slain helpless women and babes at the breast, she left her Colony bereft of all aid from the country we call by the sacred name of Mother ! She peremptorily ordered away from the very disl trie' , where, only yesterday, the latest instances of such murders had occurred, the few we had of thoss soldiers whom Britain proudly uses as the sword to punish injustice, and to protect the defenceless of' tier people. It is a new tiling under the sun, and seems akin to nation il disgrace."