some years past? True, that a little cloud dims the otherwise serene sky; but let Mr. Gillies have his will and do away with the Native office, which merely means stepping into the shoes of the men who have now the confidence of the Maories, the whole horizon will soon be overcast, and a storm be raised which neither he nor his colleagues can face -- he should much like to see the Gilliesian theory for the settlement of the native question, and we cordially concur with the gentleman who remarked that before doing away with the Native Office Mr. Gillies would have to do away with the Maories; there was more truth and wisdom in those few words than in Mr. Gillies whole speech. We do not think the outsettlers will be likely to endorse Mr. Gillies views; for to them peace is a necessity, and they know full well that the advent to office of a meddlesome would be reformer with a pocket full of unbroached theories respecting the Maories would mean but one thing, war without any definite object, and utter ruin to themselves. It is a pity that after finding fault with everybody and everything and giving vent to a string of platitudes and aphorisms Mr. Gillies should have enuntiated only one article of his policy, and that couched in an old English hustings cry, quite inapplicable to this country. The truth is that he is more opposed to men than to measures; the Colonial Treasurer and the Native Minister act upon him as a red rag does on a bull; they are his ''betes-noires'' whose success and influence have so completely eclipsed him in the House that on his part personal feeling has replaced public rivalry. By returning Mr. Gillies for City Cnl. the electors will send to the House a representative pledged, not so much to look after their interests and the country's, as to fight tooth and nail against every measure, whether for good or for ill, brought in by the present Ministry.