COLONISATION.

Southland Times, Issue 1172, 7 June 1869, Page 1

COLONISATION.

(From the Southland Timbs, May 28.) Some time since, we placsd before our readers a synopsis of a scheme of immigration for New Zealand. The bill was drafted by MrEnzHEEBEKT, the Colonial Treasurer, whilst resident in England, and to a certain extent the Imperial authorities, we are led to believe, were favoraWe to the idea. Subsequent to the departure of Mr Eitzhebbeet, the question of the desirability of aiding the colonists in suppressing the rebellion has received the earnest attention of Her Majesty's Government, and a plan has been proposed by which it is thought the peace of the North Inland may in future be maintained without the assistance of Imperial troops. Axx outline of the project is published in the London papers. The ' Pall Mall Gazette/ an authority on the subject, speaks of it in the following terms : — " A project for the establishment of military industrial settlements in New Zealand is, understand, now under the consideration of the Government, which seems peculiarly adapted* to the present exigencies both of the mother country and the colony. On the one hand, the colony wants not merely soldiers but settlers ; on the other hand, the mother country, though determined to reduce the direct military aid furnished to the colonists as far as possible, is anxious to put them in the way of providing for their own safety, and has at home a considerable surplus population ready for emigration, if facilities were afforded. The proposed colony would be composed half of soldiers who have seen five years' service in the army, and half of young men from the artisan and agricultural classes, the whole body being enlisted for five years and commanded by officers selected from the army and militia. Each colonist would have a grant of land according to his rank. For the first year pay and rations would be allowed ; for the second year, rations only, except for such periods as the men might actually be under arms, when they would be entitled to pay as before. After the aecond year I there would be no pay or rations at all,

except during active military service. Moderate advances would be made on the security of the land, and repayable by easy instalments over a number of years, for the purpose of enabling the settlers to cultivate their holdings effectually. At the expiration of the five years' enlistment each man would be a free holder of tbe land allotted to him, provided he had brought a certain portion of it into cultivation ; in the case of protracted military service, unfavorable seasons, &c, the period allowed for fulfilment of this condition might be extended. The following scale has been suggested for grants of laud :— First-class men (five-year soldiers) sixty acres second-class men, forty ; non-commissioned officers, eighty : staff-sergeants, 100 ; officers (according to rank), from 300 to ' 600 acres. The pay of the force to be as follows : — brigadier-colonel, £1 per diem ; brigade major, 15s ; lieutenant-colonels, 15s ; captains, (including adjutants, quartermasters, paymasters, and surgeons), 10s; subalterns, 7s; sergeants (additional), Is ; staff-sergeants, 3s ; first.class men, 4d ; second-class men, 3d. According to a rough calculation, some 132.420 acres, or rather more than 200 square miles, would be required as allotments fur a corps of 2,000 with officers, &c, and the expenses for the first year j would be £92,000 ; for the second (if there was no outbreak of hostilities), £70,000." Thus it will be seen that the Imperial authorities are prepared to render assistance in a manner the most acceptable. The question however, naturally arises, is the colony to be burdened with any of the expense of introducing the military settlers, and what proportion? The three million loau was insufficient to accomplish what the Home Government now attempt. Possibly under better management the new project may be more successful than the old one, but then it should be clearlyunderstood upon whose shoulders the liability is to rest. There should be no misunderstanding, on this point. It is quite evident that t'Ke native policy of the present government has most lamentably failed — nay more, it has proved disastrous to the colony, especially to the Middle Island. We cannot always be expected to go on paying for the incotnpetency and mismanagement exhibited in the prosecution of this miserable war. It must have an end. If the Imperial Government are prepared to give assistance, it would be far better that the North Island should at once realise the fact that no more funds can be expected from the South. The condition of New Zealand at the present w oment is most deploxable, and is attributable in a great measure to the native war. Everyday demonstrates more plainly the absolute necessity of a change in the mode of government of the colony. The present system is both costly and inadequate to our wants. It creates dissensions and excites jealousy in every provincial centre, to the manifest neglect of the true interests of the people. Far better would it be to abolish the provinces and expend the money that is now wasted on official salaries on reproductive works. The whole Middle Island could be governed for the same expense as it now takes to govern Otago. The offer of assistance from the Imperial Government is very opportune. It will probably lead the Assembly to enter upon the discussion of the future; form of government in a manner likely to be productive of good. The dark cloud that has so long hung over the prospects of New Zealand, it is to be hoped, is on the eve of being dispelled. j