TARANAKI.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 355, 19 March 1861, Page 3

TARANAKI.

(From the Herald.)

We referred last week to the letter signed " W" in the Neivs of the 2111 ult., in which the settles are accused of wishing for a prolongation of the war on account of the great profits and benefits accruing to them from the military expenditure. The *ma!evolence and audacity displayed in this letter are so apparent that we should have passed it by but for the prevalent belief that the writer is the mouthpiece of certain individuals whose views it would not be altogether prudent to ignore. The impression might likewise be created in England {where, above all things, it is important that the truth should be known) that a large 'Commissariat expenditure compensates for the losses arising out of the war. It was alleged that the Caffre wars were instigated for the purposes of gain, with what truth. we have not the means of ascertaining; but, judging from our own case, the insinuation may have been equally untrue in each. That a small number of people benefit by the present state of affairs is true. It is an ill wind that blows ro good. The contractors, publicans, and storekeepers, are doing well; and if we add to these a few other peisons we beiieve we have mentioned all who from mere pecuniary motives might be supposed to prefer a continuation of the present expenditure. But of this limited number, not exceeding twenty of ou< population, we believe that the majority would gladly hail a return to peace with less gain to themselves. Before the war, comparative comfort and p enty were universal throughout the settlement ; industry and perseverance had been followed by their sure results in a colony,.and it would be difficult to point •out any locality where the bulk of the peoiple were in better circumstances than our •own. There is no intention to pom tray 'Taran&ki before the war as an earthly paradise ia order to strengthen the contrast with ifcs present aspect. We had more than •our share of trials and diffi ulties, buc it is to be noted that these arose from political Causes. They were the sure and bitter fruits of the system bequeathed by Captain HVwoy and Si' G^o ge Grey to Governor Browne of truckling to the natives instead <of governing them. Fora departure from this system, {'or the det°rrrr'nation to give tthe prctection of the law to Maoris as well as to ourselves, and put down the terrible which had prevailed in Taranaki .for many years, the settlers can never be too thankful to his Excellency. Like his predecessors he might have tided over difficulties as they occurred, for his term of office had nearly expired, but he had the •cou'age to confront them, and amidst all our trials) aud bereavements we are supported by the consciousness that the war, disappointing as it has been to us, will open out a new and brighter era for both races. Contrasted with the former condition of our people, what is there in their present state to make them desite its continuance? There was abundance in every homestead —the country, though limited in extent, was thickly studded with well ordered farms—the pastures were stocked—cultivation was extending, and the cheerful, healthy aspect of our population always attracted the attention o\ visitors. They were all occupied. The generality of our people were located on there own land, and the settlement, despite the native difficulties, was steadily though slowly extending. This was the condition before the war commenced; bot what is it now, after twelve months of that war expenditure for which we are said to be so hankering, and willing to sacrifice the social comforts which' belonged to us. It we could now travel over the country •we should see little'but blackened ruins to mark the sites of these homesteads—the herds and flocks have been driven off or killed—even the orchards have been cut down in pure wantonness—the farms themselves are overrun with weeds, so much so that it will be more profitable to go upon new land when the war is over than return to them. Above all, families have been broken up by causes solely incidental to the war. Some of our settlers have fallen in fight, but assassination and disease make up the grand total of that mortality adverted to in a previous issue. So far the change has not been beneficial or desirable The compensating advantages must then be in the pleasant and remunerative cuties of a militiaman. But there is nothing cheering in these now, whatever may have been the feelings under which they were first undertaken. The duties devolve upon every male adult from 18 to 60 years ol age, with few excunions, and are paid for at the rate of Is. 3d. per diem cash, with an allowance ot bread, meat, coal, and candle. B it, unlike the soldier, the miliiiaman has to clothe and board himself out -of his wretched pittance; and the wear and

tea occasioned by escort aud field tluae- i> such that he is fast falling into rags. Th<less said on the subject of the piequet accommodation for the militia when on night duty the better. It is certainly a great. reproach to those whose duty it is to look after the comfort of the men. Even the charge of "allowing our imaginations to revel in the thoughts of compensation" shall not deter us from alluding, in passing to the losses of the settlers. T:ose losses probably amount to upwards of a quart.! r o* a million sterling; and admitting thai we may eventually obtain lull compensation, which we shall not, how shall we be bent fitted by «ettin.>' b ick that which we have lost? But this is the lowest, the least important view of the case, although apparently the one that "W" dwells on so complacently. Nothing can recompense for family be>eav< ments, for the toil of twenty years swept away, or revive the energy which has met with such cruel results.

We have endeavored to contrast the present and former condition of our population, for the information of readeis at a distance, who might be misled by " W " and other Writers of the same stamp —men who heap obloquy upon others (not even excluding his Excellency the Governor), and blame them for the prolongation of the war, to divert attention from those with whom lies the onus. The recent memorial to his Excellency (whose reply will be found below) is of itself an opportune refutation of " W's" calumny, for if the set-* tiers desired a continuance of the war they had only to withhold their signatures to the memorial, as under the present system there is too much reason to apprehend that the war will continue as long as England will find men and money to carry it on.