SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN JOURNALS.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 274, 20 June 1860, Page 3

SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN JOURNALS.

DISSOLVING- VIEW. It is a curious study for any one possessing both time and patience to note the periodical phases of one and the same question; how ground is shifted from time to t : me, —how statements get-modifled, mystified, and faint, until at last they come to exhibit scarce the bare outline of their original aspect. We are put in mind of a dissolving view, which in a brief time grows indistinct and hazy while the eye is yet dwelling on the object so vividly brought before it. This is fully exemplified in the now all-absorbing topic of the day. A

little while ago, and we beheld the maintenance of the Queen’s prerogative insisted upon by all parties as a sine qua non. It was inspiriting to mark the tone of loyalty garnishing the current converse of a party whose ordinary proceedings were thought somewhat problematical. Grounding his political faith on the Treaty of Waitangi, as a sailor would nail his colors to the mast, the Missionary stepped forward with exuberant zeal. He thought it perchance a happy opportunity to purchase popularity at small cost. He called his copper-cclored children before him ; he harangued them about the blessing of missionary tutelage, touched on the advantages of having such disinterested guardians as themselves, and approved of a loyalty that should make up in display what it might lack in virtue. There was a tacit understanding between two contracting parties —between the teacher and the taught—that things should continue undisturbed. The Maori scarcely needed the impulse of turn out a complete land conservative under the doctrine of so apt a master. But these halcyon days were not to last. This snug fraternity gets hustled from without ; abuses long borne with eventually reach a point where longer forbearance would be dishonor. The long-shackled settler naturally pines for improved position, and it is hardly to be wondered at if he declines falling in with the opinion of those who- seem for the most part, to prefer a present that is. safe and agreeable to themselves, to a prospective and less profitable future. But this, in the nature of things, can hardly be. Society has an allotted course to run —certain, rights to exact —implied duties to fulfil ; and neither one nor the other can ever be stayed, denied, or undone, unless to the injury of the body corporate. If Native civilisation (as far as it goes) may be imputed (as we maintain it may) rather to the settler than to the preacher — rather to, the man of action than to tho man of words —rather to the enterprising spirit than to the moony theorist, then does reciprocity of obligation lie. Such obligation may he disallowed, or, if allowed, retarded; yet, in spite of every obstacle, the destiny of things will have its sway, and its opponents must retire in utter confusion. And this brings us to the point at issue. A short time since, and this Maori King movement was at least discountenanced by the missionary party. All who favored it were styled “rebellious”; its partisans were cautioned, lectured, almost denounced. It was becoming a matter of public rejoicing that a sect not lately ranking high in colonial- estimation, should be induced to forego its private profit for a public good. It was thought that an hitherto, adverse while confessedly potent influence might be changed into one of policy, if r.ot of patriotism. More recent events shew what a mistake was made!. While dwelling intently on the picture before us—-while studying its proportions and charmed with the tints which hope invested with additional glow—lo I a sudden mist and indistinctness comes athwart our vision, a moment and the whole original outline fades away and resolves itself into another view totally distinct in line and character. In other words the Queen’s prerogative is sent to. the winds — loyalty is laid up on the shelf, or perhaps brought out to save appearances or to cap a public toast on a gala day. In its place we are to have long Maori genealogies-—manorial rights of dusky Ba.rous with the ten thousand quips and quirks of a seedy cx-judge or of a power-loving Bishop. To perplex is the order of the day—to. confuse the public mind is the settled policy—to weary and wear it out is the covert object of an insolent faction.— Taranaki News.