The Cunts AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 720, 6 October 1870, Page 2

The Cunts AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1870.

The country has been so long accustomed to disappointment in connection with iSfew Zealand politics, cherished sell ernes and sanguine expectations, apparently containing every element necessary to their successful fulfilment, have proved so often illusive, that the public mind was prepared to receive with tolerable equanimity any miscarriage of the great scheme of the session. Whether the proposals of the Colonial Treasurer, as embodied in the Public Works and Immigration Bill, when first laid before the public, were feasible or impracticable from the character of the difficulties surrounding them, it is almost certain that in the present disturbed and unsatisfac-

Tory aspect of affairs in Europe many of thevarious projects that it was intended to achieve, in order to secure an increased prosperity for the Colony, mußt for a time be abandoned. The session of Parliament just closed with its unfulfilled prophecies and disappointed hopes, has therefore proved no exception to preceding sessions in the painful doubt and uncertainty clouding the future. The vast liabilities sanctioned by the expiring Parliament had enabled very extensive provision to be made towards facilitating the settlement of the Colony, and the large public works suggested were calculated to have a very important influence in developing the material prosperity of the country. The increased productiveness of the Goldfields following upon a very comprehensive system of water supply, would have held out very powerful inducements to pei sons to settle in the Middle Island, giving rise also to the establishment of new manufactures and branches of industry ; and in the North Island the commencement of public works and the introduction of a considerable immigration must have exercised a very important influence in getting rid of the Native difficulty. Making roads through their territory and settling a population appear the only reliable means of permanently dealing with the Native difficulty, unless the couutry maintain an armed force, constantly in readiness, and of sufficient strength to quell any disturbance. If the question should arise, and in the financial condition of the Colony it must arise, as to what works should first be proceeded with, and what works should be postponed; the answer must be that works necessary for defence purposes must be first considered. For these purposes money must be found. It is imperative to push on the North Island telegraphic extension, in order to have communication throughout the whole Island, and the roads, at present in progress, must be completed, in order to reduce the probability of outbreaks by the Natives. Past experience has shown that the existing state of tranquillity is liable at any moment to give place to fresh disturbances and bloodshed, and any temporary cessation from hostilities on the part of the native population, due possibly to exhaustion, does not admit of being absolutely construed into a desire to preserve conciliatory relations, or to conform to the requirements of an European civilization. The present calm may be but the prelude to a storm, and, in their noisily expressed desire for peace, they may only seek the opportunity of gathering strength for another rising. It is dangerous to indulge in hopes that may prove illusive of the future peaceful intentions of a population who are at any moment prepared to break out into open rebellion, and, acting upon these hopes, to relax most necessary preparations for the protection and safety of the outlying settlements. In regarding the congratulations of those who hope that the Colony has seen the worst of the native difficulties, one is strongly disposed to recall to memory the result of the journey of the late Governor, Sir George Grey, shortly after the Opotiki and Tauranga campaign, in 1567. In reference to that journey, his Excellency said: everywhere found the embers of disaffection dying out, and I was received by the Maori population, even in districts recently in rebellion, in such a manner as to inspire confidence in the future peace of the country. I have to congratulate you on the re-establish-ment of peace generally throughout the North Island, in no part of which do I anticipate in future any systematic or sustained hostility to the Queen's authority, and on the peaceful and friendly disposition which is everywhere spreading throughout the districts receutly in rebellion." It is generally admitted that Sir George Grey was, perhaps, of all men, the one best fitted to form a correct opinion of the state of feeling among the natives. Yet these were the same tribes who shortly after joined Te Kooti in deeds of plunder and outrage which struck the entire Colony with consternation and alarm. The reception that the disaffected tribes accorded Sir George Grey, and the success with which they cloaked their real intentions, should serve as a caution in lending a too willing ear to Native protestations of a desire to preserve amicable relations. The discussion that has taken place in the House with regard to the employment of labor in the North Island has been widely circulated among the Native inhabitants, many of whom are in anxious expectation of being employed on these works. They must also be keenly alive to what has transpired in Europe, and may think the present a favorable opportunity of taking action against the British rule, with the possible contingency of being assisted by some foreign power. The Natives are easily excited, and it would undoubtedly be a wise step to direct their attention to industry, by employing them, as speedily as possible, on the works it is contemplated to carry out iu the North Island. These works, in improving the means of communication, and paving the way to the settlement of large fertile districts, would furnish the best guarantee of permanently determining the Native difficulty.