THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1861.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 22 August 1861, Page 2

THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1861.

The news brought by the Dolphin, and published by us in an extra of Thursday last, of the recall of Governor Brownie, and the appointment of Sir George Grey as Governor of New Zealand, is of such importance as to cause all other topics to sink into comparative insignificance. We elsewhere give an extract from the ‘‘ commercial record” of the New Zealander on the subject, and although we cannot endorse the sentiments of the writer respecting the origin of the late war, &c., w r e acknowledge a confidence that the disarranged affairs of the colony in its relation to the native question will probably be rectified in a speedy and an effectual manner. All must admit that Governor Brownie has been placed in circumstances of a peculiarly trying character —that ever since he assumed the reins of pow-er as Governor of these islands, his path has been beset wnth difficulties of no ordinary nature ; —the native mind already unsettled by the influence of interested and designing individuals, looking wnth suspicion on any and every attempt to purchase land from them, and on the other hand the taunts and complaints of certain of the colonists against him for not effecting purchases of more extensive nature and with greater promptitude ; the gradual increase of the land league, and the altogether unforeseen and unexpected importance assumed by the King movement; and then, at length, the unfortunate circumstances at Taranaki, which might probably have been averted had those who took such pains to throw 7, odium on his conduct afterwards, taken the same pains previously to bring to his knowledge the letters, &c., made so much of in the House of Eeprcsentatives, And now that all these things seem in the course of settlement either by negociation or by a vigorous system of warfare, we see the reins of power taken from his hands, and he gives up the Government at a most unpropitious period. That Sir George Grey will pursue a course of policy which will result in the placing of our native affairs on a secure and satisfactory basis w r e ardently hope and do not doubt; though w r e can recall to mind, in referring 1 back to his past career as our Governor ten or twelve years ago, many instances of a temporising policy, and a yielding to the powers of native " bounce” which would not do under present circumstances ; neither will there be cause for it, as at that time we know his weakness with regard to the military

force at his command, while now, as we are informed, he will have the advantage of a very large force—no less than twelve thousand —a number sufficient, we should suppose, to enforce authority if negociations should fail. Since his departure from us, circumstances have greatly changed,—our relations w.th the native race have attained a crisis—the supremacy of Her Majesty is threatened to be subverted, and British law is ign r id. The native is not to be ruled now as he was then, anti we must own we have little faith in convincing him by negociatkn to become a good and loyal subject, and ly far less in burying his actual antagonism beneath a load of presents and favors. Sir George Grey has no less difficult a task before him than had our present Governor, though he has and will have better chance of success ; his experience and knowledge of the native character, and the increased military force at his command, will enable him, there can be no doubt, to re-establish the authority of Her Majesty and the Britisp* law over all—native as well as colonist, and having done this, to confer on the native race such institutions as, while they will satisfy them by showing our desire to grant them every reasonable request, will also elevate them in their civil and social position. That it will be done without resort to force we can hardly hope; rve fear the time for this is already past, but we do believe that no such war as was almost inevitable but a short time ago need now r be feared ; —that, in the words of the Duke of Newcastle, “ the remarkable authority which will attach to his name,” combined with firmness, and the evident ability to enforce his demands by war if resisted, and by ample means of numbers, skill, and energy to bring it to a speedy close, we may now look for an early, and we hope a permanent peace, and the establishment of all the satisfactory relationship with the native race that the most sanguine amongst us have desired.