The Southland Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1114, 16 August 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1869.

It is evident that England wPI not again mix herself tip with the rebellion in New Zealand. Mail after mail supplies fresh evidence of the Home Government, backed by a majority of the press of England, is determined to leave the colonists to fight their own battles iu the beat way they can. We have on former occasions had to comment on the ungenerous and unjust treatment the colony has received from the Imperial Government, while still clinging to the hope that when in possession of full particulars of the diabolical outrages committed by the bloodthirsty Hauhaus, the tone of the British Government and press would have undergone a change and Imperial assistance be freely offered. It would appear we over-estimated the generosity and love of justice which is a boast of the British people. The news by the June mail is certainly as unsatisfactory as it was unexpected. Telegraphic information, while to some extent vague, usually supplies enough to lead to a fair understanding of what it refers to, and whei we find in the English telegrams such sentences as : — *• With respect to Earl Granville's despatch refusing to guarantee a New Zealand Loan," it is stated, " so far from the colonists having any claim on the Imperial Government, the latter has a claim on the colony," we are bound to assume it to ba au official answer to the last remonstrance of the Staitobd Government against the policy which the Imperial Government has long pursued — that of leaving the colony entirely to its own resources. In this view we are confirmed by the narrow - hearted comments of the home press on the subject — comments which surpass a 1 ! previous ones for a stolid indifference to , ..t in. ....„• us no other aid than that of maudlin expressions of sympathy, with a hope "that the colonists may learn to rely upon themsalves." Under these circumstances the recent debates on M • M'Leajt's defence resolutions are invested with increased importance. It is now evident that to depend upon England for assistance, would be to trust to a " broken reed " — that the only assistance to be expected is the services of a few troops, reluctantly granted, and well paid for. It would be folly to descant largely upon the conduct of the Imperial Government in tbis matter. The subject has been so frequently written upon that further remarks would be almost worthless. The sentence has gone forth : — " New Zealand must become self-reliant." The British Government has said it, the British press has endorsed the verdict. "We must bow to the decision, although it may suggest the question, what is the value of the connexion with England if we, as a colony, are refused assistance in an emergency such as we have now to face ; one arising simply and purely jfrom Imperial misrule ? But this is notthetime for discussing the subject. We should endeavour to grapple with the difficulties we have to contend with boldly and unanimously, leaving the future to determine the character of the settlement of accounts with the Imperial government. The Fox Ministry, previous to the intelligence received by the mail, by abandoning the resolution for the appointment of Commissioners to proceed home, to crave fromithelmperial government 1500 troops fcr five years, and reducing the number to be asked by letter to 1000 has shown evidence of its realising the fact that the old system of procrastination and costly negotiations is coming to an end — that the self-reliant policy must be accepted, with all its attendant responsibilities. At no period of New Zealand's history has it been of more paramount importance to the future of the colony, that its legislators should abandon all party feelings, and combine to produce legislation calculated to destroy provincial jealousies and promote union. Is the Eox Ministry able to form anything in the shape of a policy > calculated to do this ? We think not. As far as the legislation under . its auspices has yet gone, it has been ] a system of compromise — a reflex ot ' Staffokd's policy diluted aud mystified. < It rode into power on the Provincial card, i and has gradually abandoned its position. < Its supporters are growing smaller, the i longer it remains in office. The majority 1 of 16 has dwindled down to 4, aud little s j or no actual legislation has been carried ]

out. Another ministerial crisis at the present time is to be deprecated, and this appears to be the opinion of the As sembly. It is evident the great question of ( uiionor the perpetuation of the provincial , system, will not be seriously entertained . during the existing session. The pulse of the House has been felt by Mr Stevens and others, aud it unquestionably beats in favor of no radical change until the representation has been readjusted, and a general election taken place. In the meantime the process of • Centralisation is gradually goiDg|on, and all parties are realising the fact that no constitutional reform of a^y moment can be brought about for a time, except by Imperial legislation, which, under present circumstances, it is not politic to seek, and would be refused it sought. The future of the colony is as dark and threatening as ever. The Native difficulty is again the all absorbing question in. the Assembly, and until it is solved all other questions of colonial importance will 1 3 held in abeyance indefinitely, unless a dissolution of Parliameit is brought about.