REFORM OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE [From the London Atlas, June 28.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 30, 27 December 1845, Page 3

REFORM OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE [From the London Atlas, June 28.]

One of the latest instances we have met with oftlie deep eunvii'tiun that exists among all men who have turned their attention to the subject of our colonies, of the imperative necessity of completely remodelling that department oi" the State to whose mismanagement those depend en-

cies are confided, is the first of a a series of Dialogues vpon tiur Colonies, in which the speakert are Lord Ripon, Lord Stanle>, dud Sir Hubert Peel. T.ie Premier, ignorant of Colonial atFairs I in erery detail, is impatient of the reproach the office is to Mini.ters in the Commons, urges it* j reform on Loid Stanley, and points to the Indian Government as a model of improvement. The Colonial Secretary being restive, Sir Robert skilfully suggests that Mr. Umler-Secretary Stephen be sent for, to le.l the trio how matteis really do stand in the Colonial Office : "Sir Robert Peel— ls the system of the Colo-nial-office, or is it not, a nuisance ? how does it administer to the colonies? *' If we cannot get a favourable verdict on that issue from the House of Commons, the Colonialoffice must be reformed, or 1 will not remain head of the ministry. " As therefore it is quite possible that Mr. Mangles may carry his charge oeyond the bluster of a debate,- 1 propose, in justice to ourselves, and in order to <■ isoharge our duties manfully to the Queen, that Mr. Stephen, the individual pointed out by common fame as the great pillar of that nuisance, shall here quietly tell ns his story; and his friend Mr Taylor, the author of time unlucky 'book of disclosuxes.jhe 'Statesman,' (Ludus a htk lucenloj, shall come also nJMiJMr. Stephen to enlighten iia all. * * * " Baron Stanley — I accept readily to your proposal, about examining Mr Stephen. We may so, perhaps have the means of triumphantly meeting our numerous assailants. He is apt to have something for every turn. "Sir R Peel That objeivation is the key to that industrious individual's success. Mr. Stephen helps you at every pinch, eh? ' " Baron Stanley — 1 cannot quite say that — I admit his usefulness. Nevei theless, the accumulation of evil now upon us, does a little look like a case against him " And so Mr. Stephen is sent for ; and the dialogue winds up by the Premier declaring — "We really must all make up our minds to meet the question of colonization at last like statesmen. "We have neglected it too long. Mr. Monckton Millies' remark in this New Zealand debate, astounded me, for it was thoroughly true,— </Ae men of long experience in official life, have regarded the question with indifference.' "This L say, is perfectly true ; and it is the secret of all the misfortunes in British colonization, —so magnificent in spite of great errors and great crimes. This caused the ignorance which j lost us America, and unquestionably our present lormidable embarrassment springs from the same source. We must correct it j aud to do this, we must immediately makeourselves masters of every branch of the, subject s—its5 — its economical branch ; its emigration branch j its philanthropic branch ; and, not the least important, its bureaucratic branch. 1 have something to say, but more, 1 admit, to learn on each head." Though this righteous resolution be rather what a really great minister in Sir Robert Peel's position would come Jo after the New Zealand debate, than what we have any hopes he has actually determined on, that debate must, it is obvious, -mitigate the anti colonial spiiit of the jCulynial.Qulce.,, It puls~ its bureaucracy on thengood behaviour, aud gives them Warning not ?b irritate the House of Commons into (to use Mr. Mangle's expressive language), " driving a moral ploughshare" thiough their department. Lord Jotin Russell, it is notorious, saved Lord Stanley from defeat, by not pressing the Opposition forces to the vote on Mr. Butler's resolutions. So that too much dependence must not be placed by the Office tven on the present House of Commons Mr. Pitt could not save either Wan en Hastings, or Henry Dundas, from impeachment, though he. had majorities on all other questions; aud the day will come, when not all tne strengtn of air Robeit Peel's followers, will protect tne Colo-nial-office from what it so richly deserves— a vote of censure.