THE COLONY AND THE CROWN.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 15, 13 April 1867, Page 3

THE COLONY AND THE CROWN.

When the policy of 1863 was set aside by Mr. Cardwell the Colony ought to have told the Colonial Office that while it would in future adopt a policy of selfreliance it expected that the ' Imperial authorities would make good the losses sustained cy the Oolony through its interference and breach of faith. The policy of confiscating rebel lands never had a fair trial, and the Assembly, by choosing a Ministry which was opposed to that polio has got the Colony into difficulties which arc ascribed to the policy instead of to the Ministry which played into Mr. Cardwell’s hands. The formation of that Ministry took place immediately after the decision of the Commissioners in favor of Wellington for the capital of the Colony becomingknown ; but a Ministry might have been constituted which would have recommended a strong- remonstrance being sent to the Crown, while it insisted on the decision of the Commissioners being- at once carried into effect. The Colony is now reaping- the fruits of this Ministry’s miserable proceedings. It was the duty of the a colonial press to condemn in 1864-5 the conduct of Downing- Street; it is the duty of the colonial press now to condemn a Ministry and a policy which had the approval of DowningStreet. “ What foolish thing have I done, that this man praiseth me” said the virtuous Athenian, and such, instead of vain glorification,” should have been the exclamation of Ministers when they

found tlieir policy was received with approbation by the late Secretary for the Colonies. With reference to the relations now suhsiting between the Colony and the Crown the “ Sydney Morning Herald” has a most able leading - article. In referring to the unprecedented course adopted by the Home Government in removing the military from the control of the Governor says that this has been done in deference to the views of certain British politicians, but it ought in fairness to add, and in deference also to the expressed wishes of certain politicians, mis-named statesmen in New Zealand. It then proceeds as follows :

This is done perhaps to to relieve Sir George Grey of all scruples, to put the responsibility upon the shoulders of those who will never have to meet it in the colony, and to deprive the Governor of power either to comply with or refuse the demands of his responsible advisers. Thus, the millitary are to be under a new and independent control.. Their aid cannot be commanded or compelled, and it is difficult to know on on what footing they stand to the Civil Laws, and how far they are amenable nnder these cicumstances to any of the to the restraints which may be found necessary by the government either for the protection of the soldier or for the defence of the people. They are just like a force in a foreign country having their own officers to direct them, being amenable to their own courts-martial and having no need to consult or obey the authorities which all others obey. This state of things is only temporary. It ought to be transient. It is dangerous, and it is not honourable. It neither suits the duties of the representative of the Queen nor fairly protects the honour of the Crown. The sooner therefore, the soldiers clear off the better. The whole case of New Zealand will then be presented to its inhabitants on open ground, with all the responsibilities, and, we must add, all the rights which this position demands. This surrender of all to the colonists while war is hardly suspended, and when questions of the most solemn and momentous kind may force themselves upon them, will lead to very serious consequences., "When the Governor, with an army at his back, chose to take a particular course in colonial affairs, he was enabled not only protect his only policy, and to secure respect even while he was a party against his own Minsters. But now he is helpless, and all he can do, when any question arises to which his assent cannot be given, or of which he is doubtful, is tg refuse to act; and all they can do when this refusal implies, as in their opinion it may do, a surrender to the enemy, is to decline to recognise his authority, and to act without it.

The sooner the soldiers, under these circumstances, clear oft the better; but is no remonstance to be sent home with regard to the way in which the Conlony has been treated by the Horse Guards and Downing Street 1 Has Mr. Stafford bought up every opponent who could make his voice heard outside the walls of Parliament ? What has become of that claim which we were told at the last general election, would he put forward by Mr. Stafford against the Home Government ? oo