Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 316, 30 October 1860, Page 2

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Colonist. Sib,—The following extracts from .(tie,-Times, August 29th, 1856j in reference to the Kaffir war, may help to throw some light on the feelings entertained in "high quarters" in reference to colonial hostilities with natives, bearing as they do a close resemblance to the expressions made use of by Sir G. C. Lewis, in his despatch to the Governor of New Zealand. V " It is but fair that in these things the labor' of the mother country and the colonists should s be divided. It is the duty of England that the population of South Africa should suffer nothing from any outrages that may occur in opposition to tho Imperial Government. * '* #. ■* We guarantee them the peaceable possession of their country, and the continuance of just laws, and full political liberty. * * *■■* But it- is hardly the duty of the Home Government to protect each adventurousffarmer orgrazier from agrarian outrages. The backwoodsman- should form his own police, and learn to depend on the mother country only in the last extremity. • * "it is no slight matter to have the reduction in taxation deferred, because a band of savages * # * * If settlers choose to run the risk of going into the interior, they must not expect, * # * *" ■ " Surely, had our Government wisely considered this little piece of very natural home political economy, some hesitation—some trial of the virtue of patient waiting on coming events, would have kept the country from being so unexpectedly plunged into a war the cost of which will undoubtedly have to be paid by the. settlers, whose wishes were in no way consulted upon the matter! It has often been pleaded, "the Governor could not with honor'have avoided the'conflict with W. King ; 1{ —but I am reminded in this of what was once said by Sir Robert PeeL- "In my opinion " he said, "no motive can be more justly branded as ignominious than that which is usually termed cowardice. But there is a temper of mind much more dangerous than this, though it may not be so base—l mean the fear of being thought to be afraid. Base as a coward is, the man who abandons himself to the fear of being thought a coward displays little more fortitude." There were many subjects which it might be impossible for his Excellency to contemplate without dread—many views from which he might have been justified in shrinking—the ruin of the settlement ot Taranaki—the desolation of the settlers* homes —the sorrows overwhelming their hearts at the loss of fathers, brothers, friends, companions, —the destruction of their hopeful prospects—the sad forebodings of their irretrievable losses—and the consequent wasta of many years of industry, self-denial and hardship. These things should have been looked upon with a keener prophetic eye, before consulting personal honor—empty glory—increase of territory or the humiliation of a contumacious chief of insurgent natives.

But as we are none of us prophets of the future, and the weakness of humanity clings to governor as well as to the governed, we cannot do better (while justly deprecating this unrighteous war) pray to Almighty God so to guide our Counsellors and Legislators that by the exercise of that wisdom which cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of a turning they may be able to bring about a speedy and safe adjustment of this most unhappy quarrel, which in its growing complications is fast approaching to a war with our brethren the aborigines of this country. I am, &c, A'LOOKER ON.