Wanganui Chronicle, and TURAKINA & RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. THURSDAY, 15th APRIL, 1869.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1014, 15 April 1869, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle, and TURAKINA & RANGITIKEI MESSENGER. THURSDAY, 15th APRIL, 1869.

We summarise an article from the Southern Cross, containing some very sensible remarks regarding our position with the socalled friendly natives. The weakness of our Government on this and resembling questions is that it has no policy —nothing better titan a system of shifts and expedients—chopping and changing day by day often willing to wound and yet afraid to sti-ike. It is clear in dealing with a complicated question of this kind, and it becomes more clear every time that the subject is surveyed or discussed, that it is beyond human power to devise any plan which will exactly squaie with perfect equity. If there are really friendly natives it is possible, that by restricting them, say, to some given place, we shall cause them to suffer hardship. Yet if we are to do anything effective —if we are to protect ourselves -we must make up our minds for some violation of principles and rights which ought as much as possible to be respected. And we must get men who will do the thing for us ; the country is sick at heart of the present incertitude and suspense ; and, as it must of necessity be a rough piece of work, it will have to be judged of as a whole, with a. full consideration of the difficulties of dealing with it, treat it in any way we please.

More debt isloomingbeforeus. Mr Fitzlierbert, in his London after-dinner speech, indicated the direction in which the stream was setting, namely, the hope of an Imperial guarantee for a further loan. The Lyttelton Times strongly opposes an addition to the public debt of the colony, and we think with very good reason. Economise, knock off, pull down, but let us have no more debt, which is simply more taxation and more difficulty. Speaking on the subject our contemporary says—“We must have no more war loans, with or without a guarantee. The effect of a guarantee would be merely to enable us to raise a loan with greater facility, and to save some two per cent, of interest. The Ministry will, no doubt, endeavour to entice the Assembly by this bait to add to the burdens of the colony, but we trust that the pressure of public opinion will be strong enough to prevent our representatives from yielding to so fatal a temptation. There is a solemn duty incumbent upon us not to contract obligations which we have no reasonable prospect of fulfilling. We give fair warning to intending lenders and guarantors, that future is already pledged to the utmost limit of prudence, that we in this island cannot and will not endure any additional taxation, and that those who lend or guarantee loans for war purposes run a serious risk of losing their money.” This is fair, and quite fairly put.