THE Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1919, 30 June 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1869.

It would be premature to commit ourselves to unqualified approval or severe condemnation, of Mr Fox’s declared line of policy, so soon after his accession to office, and before a full Teport of his speech is to hand. It is impossible in a moment to undo all the mischief incurred through a course of maladministration, followed for years or even months. As we anticipated, however, the war policy is to be changed—whether on all points wisely, seems doubtful. It is by no means clear that anything will be gained by the substitution of Imperial for Colonial troops if the Colony is to pay for them and they are to fight our battles. 'The disadvantages of divided command and unsuitability of training for bush warfare, are great drawbacks to their ■utility. Brave though they are, and able at any time to give a good account of the Mamies in warfare adapted to their discipline, the Colonial troops have proved themselves superior in that irregular fighting in which individual prowess takes the place of movement in masses. On the other hand it is just possible that the retention of English troops in the Colony, and their coestant readiness for action may have the effect of preventing the spread of disaffection among the Native tribes, many of whom are reported to be only waiting the withdrawal of the regiment to join the rebels. The prudent portion of Mr Fox’s scheme is to act on the defensive. No doubt this is vague enough ; for it is very difficult at all times to know where defence stops and

aggression begins. But this much may be affirmed, that a great deal of what has occurred in Native disturbances might have been avoided, had there been more caution displayed by the late Government in their dealings with the Natives, and less latitude allowed to officers in command of troops, as to the circumstances under which they were to treat the Maoris as enemies. The most severe condemnation of the tactics of the late Ministry is conveyed in the appointment of Mr M‘Least to the Native and Defence departments. During his agency at Hawkes Bay, he differed so materially with the late Government, that notwithstanding the success of his defensive measures, they summarily dispensed with his services. His declared object when lie offered his assistance in October last, was “ to avert “ war if possible, and to induce co- “ operation on the part of the Friendly Natives.” From what afterwards took place there is reason to imagine that Mr M ‘Lean’s difference with the Government arose from his desire to localise operations, instead of entering upon a war of aggression. The correspondence laid before the House of Representatives justifies this conclusion, but is sufficiently meagre in its details to leave much unexplained. This seems to be the proposed Fox policy : Where an enemy makes his appearance he will be repelled, but it will not be thought necessary to follow him through bush and brake, at an immence cost and risk, until his followers are dispersed amongst the dlffei-ent tribes, ready to re-assemble when, unopposed, the attacking force retires. It is evident, too, that the policy we advocated a few days ago will be adopted. It will not be attempted to hold every foot of ground along our long line of sparse colonization. Military pride may revolt at the idea of yielding an inch once possessed; but justice to tax-payers, and sound policy, demand that the cost of holding territory should form an element in the calculation. It is quite possible to retain it all if we are prepared to incur the cost; but it would be madness to throw tens of thousands away upon a tract of land not worth as many hundreds--in fact, under existing circumstances, valueless, We are not sure that MiFox’s reference to financial matters will give unbiassed satisfaction. He says, certainly, that the new Ministry do not know the financial position of the Colony j but he adds that, if a war loan is necessary, it should be borne by the Colony as a whole. He separates the idea of road making from war expenditure, and suggests that it is pos sible the loan would be asked by the late Government merely for the purpose of cutting roads through the North Island for military purposes. This he considers should be justly borne by the North Island only. The subsequent part of the telegram hints at some adjustment of the liability of the North and Middle Islands, from which we gather that an Imperial Act will be necessary. We presume the intention of such au Act would be to enable the Colony to localise taxation for the payment of interest on the Joan by the North Island. It will evidently be necessary for us iu the South Island still to be watchful, and to press those just arrangements that will re. lieve the Middle Island from Northern expenditure. The new Government, like the old, intend to oppose Separation ; but they still purpose to continue Provincialism. This anti-Separation resolution is qualified hy the condition that any proposed organic change in the constitution would not be entertained without au appeal to the country. The necessity for such change has been forced upon the South through the persistent expenditure of their revenues on North Island purposes, and the determination on the part of the General Government to .centralise all power instead of localising it. We are quite aware that arrangements securing justice to the South are possible without Separation; but we, in Otago, must continue to urge it, unless such a satisfactory adjustment of expenditure is made as ,to render it no longer desirable. Our motto must be “Watch.-”