THE TARANAKI WAR(?)

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 316, 30 October 1860, Page 3

THE TARANAKI WAR(?)

What are we to make of this Taranaki war? This question has been asked again and again, but no satisfactory answer can be returned. We have been taunted with being the supporters of the Stafford Ministry, but we nevertheless feel no hesitation in saying whether it be to them, his j Excellency the Governor, Colonel Leslie, General Pratt, or those who have denied the justice of the war, who ever can be proved accountable for the present state of affairs, they richly deserve impeachment. At such a time as the present we should have felt a pleasure in giving our hearty support to the Governor in suppressing the present wretched rebellion; but when we consider the events—if they may be so called—which have taken place at the seat of war, we cannot escape from the impression that the imbecility exhibited, and the ruin in consequence wrought, is sufficient not only to justify the recall of the Governor, but to bring the heads of those parties to the block who may be proved responsible for the present state of affairs. Until the reason has been given why Captain Cracroft was removed from the scene of the conflict, over which he only appeared competent to command, we cannot hold that there has been that earnestness manifested in the suppression of the rebellion which was so much to be desired. Humiliating as our position was at the Crimea, what was that compared with the spectacle at Taranaki of 500 British soldiers running away from 80 Maoris? We care not who is blameworthy, but whatever party may be we trust they will receive their reward. How supremely ridiculous must we appear in the eyes of our own countrymen. How worse than ridiculous must we appear in the eyes of strangers ? Is there any accounting for the course Colonel Leslie adopted*? We could account for the conduct of Colonel Gold —we could make some excuses for the conduct of Colonel Murray—but what excuse can be made fur that of Colonel Leslie ? It is to military incornpetency that our present position is owing—it is owing to the want,of decision on ttie part of the Governor—or it is because his Excellency is afraid of proceeding with the war, and suppressing the rebellion, owing to the alien influence which has bten brought against him ? Mr. Strokes, the other night, called attention to the dates of the instructions given to Colonel Gold; we will assume a similar privilege. Let our readers compare the dates of the instructions given to Colonel Gold with the dates of the Otaki petition for the Governor's recall, the Bishop's protest, and Mr. Fox's letter to his Wanganui constituents, and the conviction will be forced upon them that this rebellion has not been trodden out owing to the sinister influences which have been brought to prevent so desirable a consummation. This much is certain, that whatever may have been the political influences at work, no one can have any faith in the tactics or the qualifications of our military commanders, who appear wholly incapable of deciding whether Maori will or the Queen's authority shall reign paramount in New Zealand.— Wellington Advertiser.