THE MARLBOROUGH PRESS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1861.

Marlborough Press, Volume II, Issue 104, 27 December 1861, Page 6

THE MARLBOROUGH PRESS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1861.

Although Sir G. Grey's proclamation informs us of his intention to confer upon the Maori people municipal government with extensive powers, we are still in ignorance whether the scheme is to be applied empirically or to be restricted in its use to the cases for which it is suitable. Should the first of these ideas prove to be the right one, Sir George’s scheme of pacification would take rank with other nostrums for the remedy of all human ills, and its inventor, with Professor Holloway, or any other quack who has been fortunate enough to develop a single idea; but if, as is more probable, this plan does not exhaust the resources of the Governor's genius, it may be found, for aught we can say to the contrary, a successful means of promoting self-government among the natives, although the difficulty of obtainingjusticc for Europeans in their differences with the Maoris, may, as it appears to us, be rather enhanced than diminished by clothing with authority decisions which heretofore have only been valid as the law of the strongest. No doubt the English element, for which provision is made in the constitution of the native courts, will influence by degrees the justice and fairness of their deliverances, provided the European magistrates shall act with perfect impartiality; but if fear of offending the natives, of compromising the Government, or of any other difficulty, may at any time influence the judgment of these functionaries, the system, instead of becoming the means of amalgamsiting the races, will rather tend to create a barrier to their fusion. As we have assumed that discrimination must be and indeed has been used in selecting the situations most favourable for a successful development of Sir G. Grey's plan, the question comes to be—how is it to be introduced among those tribes who have heretofore occasioned the difficulties experienced by the Government in carrying out law and order? because it appears to us that unless the scheme possesses an attractiveness for savages which uninitiated white fellows cannot perceive, the

arguments necessary to ensure its adop* tion must be those required for initiating any system of which obedience to English law shall form a main ingredient. & We repeat, the plan may be a very good one ; but unless it possesses some inherent adaptability to the circumstances requiring its intervention,* the difficulties of the situation only begin to be felt when it is endeavoured to make the scheme practically available. To liaye invented the-system is one thing ; to make it work satisfactorily is another matter; and we are free to admit that if Sir G. Grey can put his mav chinery in motion, and keep it going with New Zealand fuel, he will deserve well of his country. Oh the other hand, if Newcastle coal is wanted to keep up the steam, then we say His Excellency is no conjuror, and it becomes very difficult to tell whether the blessings of peace under Governor Grey may be preferable to the horrors of war under Governor Browne. One thing is certain, that under the policy of the latter a certain indemnity for expenses in the way of territory would have been obtained, whereas the present system will probably increase the difficulty of obtaining land from the natives, and enhance its price. Another advantage which perhaps may be claimed for Col. Browne’s plan, is the gain of time, (which in this case is more than money) likely to result from his mode of dealing with the matter. Col. Browne and Sir G. Grey begin at opposite ends—the former would have fought to secure a permanent peace, and pacification as the fruits of victory would have been certain and natural. Our present Governor commences by pacification, and we trust may not be interrupted in his peaceful progress ; but in the present aspect of affairs we want the hardihood to predict so flattering an issue, and could feel no surprise should it become necessary to proselytize; after the fashion of Ma-., hornet, modernized so as not to disturb the harmony of consistency so neces- - sary to the prestige of character which sends Sir G. Grey from one- colonial difficulty to another, we hope to be able to say with never-failing advantage to all.