The Southland Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1138, 9 April 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1869.

Accoeding to the accounts recently received from the North we are told that the native insurrection has received a Beyere check. The Maoris have been defeated in several engagements and driven far into the interior, and numbers of the followers of Tito Kowabu have abandoned a chief no longer victorious or capable of holding out inducements to massacre and plunder. But, although a temporary success may have been achieved by Colonel Whitmobe, it does not bring the war nearer to a termination. It is impossible, with the resources at our command, that we can crush out a rebellion so widespread. We may gain occasional victories, our commanders may pen pleasing despatches, but it will require far more energy to be exhibited by the Colonial Government, and the expenditure of large sums of money, before we can hope for permanent peace. One of the journals at the scene of the hostilities thus remarks : — "Speaking generally, things look as threatening as ever, although locally a recent success, taken in conjunction with certain offences which Titoko has committed to the intense displeasure of hia followers, have rather brightened the aspect of affairs in the Wanganui district. It is just possible that, disunited in their own councils, the rebels under this atrocious savage may retire to some of their inland pas, and leave us unmolested for a time if we do not follow them up, which, in the present temper and circumstances of our G-overnment, it is not likely would be attempted. Only for a time : it is vain to hope for anything better as matters stand. These rebels have not been conquered — they have not even been punished — murders of the most desperate character remain unavenged — so that by and bye there would be but too good reason to anticipate a renewal of hostilities." Again, the same authority says : — " The country into which our forces are following those of the enemy is described to be of the wildest description. It is uncertain if Colonel Whitmose may be fortunate enough to bring the enemy to a decisive engagement, as various accounts go to prove that the rebels are short of ammunition, and, for the purpose of renewing their supplies, are retiring on the country of the Ngatimaniapoto, who are said to hold out promises of support to him. The country of this tribe, although called by the natives Taranaki, is not within the limits of that province, as we understand its boundaries, but bordering on it an extending to the upper waters of the Waikato." With the limited funds at the disposal of the General G-overnment it is useless to expect that the war will be vigorously prosecuted, or that it will be speedily brought to a close. The whole revenue of New Zealand, after paying the interest on the debt, and allowing for the ordinary expenses of G-overnment is too small, even if the people of the Middle Island were agreeable that it should be devoted to such a purpose. It is clearly the duty of the British Government to afford the colony assistance at the hour of its utmoat need. This can

easily be done \>y giving an Imperial guarantee to a loan to be devoted to the suppression of the rebellion. Indeed it is very probable that when the G-eneral Assembly meets a Bill will be introduced authorising the G-overnment to negotiate a fresh loan, but its repayment should be made a first charge on the revenue of the North Island. The ' Wellington Independent,' supposed to be in the confidence of the Ministry, throws out a hint to the effect it would be for the benefit of the" colony that a large body of military settlers, on the plan proposed by Mr Domett some ye?rs since, should be introduced into the North Island, and located on the confiscated lands of the rebels. Such a plan, it is argued, would effectually dispose of the Maori difficulty. Speaking on the Bubject, the 'Independent' Bays: — " This, too, is an object of which Imperial assistance might be fairly sought, and in which such assistance would be eminently advantageous. Let the English Government san ction the raising of a loan for this purpose, spreading the term during which the money Bhould be paid by the lenders over the period during which it could be expended in the colony, and the loan could be raised at once, and on most favorable terms, while the collateral advantages to the colony would be great and immediate. The gradual introduction of so large a body of settlers, with the means of giving them employment for nine or twelve months — giving them land at the same time, and encouraging them to settle upon it, would give auch an impetus to trade, and would so restore confidence to intending settlers, that these 20,000 families would form a aeries of nuclei around which others would quickly gather. The value of land would thus rise, and its sale be proportionately extended, while the increasing development of the resources of the country would enable it the better to bear the burdens that have fallen upon it."