NEW SOUTH WALES JEALOUSY OF NEW ZEALAND'S GROWING IMPORTANCE.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 102, 15 May 1847, Page 2

NEW SOUTH WALES JEALOUSY OF NEW ZEALAND'S GROWING IMPORTANCE.

"The gross injustice, the positive absurdity, of stationing two regiments in New Zealand, and only one in New South Wales, are so glaring, that, unless we do violence to the law which requires a charitable construction of motives, we must pronounce the measure nb■olutely incomprehensible." Such are the •words commencing a leading article in the Sydney Morning Herald, headed "New South Wales sacrificed to New Zealand," in which the editor, trying very hard to make mincemeat of us, has, unfortunately for himself, taken little care of his own fingers. We commenced reading the article with the properly serious countenance -which the sacrifice of one country to another would demand from one who has any feelings ; but as we proceeded a little, the " green-eyed monster" was glaring so conspicuously in every part, that our visage relaxed as quickly as it is possible to jump from the sublime to the litlifu'ous. We»r with us :< little, reader, whilst w>* lay before you, ami endeavour to correct, some of our cuntcmpoitiry's vagaries ; and if so do not give you .something to smile at be.)ie <vc ate done, we are murh mistaken. i lie first, and evidently chief cause of cora- •. laint, pioelaimed in such vnliant words as •'perverse partiality," "oppressive and insulting injustice," "reaching a degree of monstrosity," and so on, ad libitum, is, that we are to have our troops increased, whilst a corresponding diminution is to t<ike place in New South \* ales. What J can a change of this nature afford an excuse for some of the most virulent abuse we ever read in a newspaper ? The Australian too, a paper which, by its own showing, is old enough to know better, is even more select in its Bilingsgale than the Herald. When the news of the military changes reached us, in our innocence we thought, by the withdrawal of troops, a direct compliment was paid the colony ; we imagined ihat a country was best off which required but lew ; where the inhabitants, sufficiently advanced in civilization, wen? able on all ordinary occasions to furnish the materials of ortler and justice from within themselves. But no ; it appears that the approaching diminution of soldiery is to be one of the greatest calamities that has ever befallen our neighbours—especially as the "obscure** Colony of New Zealand is to be blessed with their presenc?. We cannot help sympathizing with the writers. For what must be the condition of an European population of 180,000 which requires two re imentt to keep it in order ? Sad, sad, indeed I iJui t ey require protection, perhaps, from tile

aboiigines? Natives, combined, intellectual, and warlike, ready to dash in and serve the Britons in Australia, as their ancestors were, when the Romans left them (o the tender mercies of the Picts ? No, gentlemen ! The crime is, that you are not only about to lose some beif-eaters, but that what you please to term " the petty, paltry, disjointed and disorganized settlements of NewZ aland" js about to have bestowed on Uiem some of the fostering care an infant colony requires, which has been, so long and so profusely lavished on you— a thankless hobbydehoy. It is thought necessaiy that we should at pres.-nt h.ive an overawing force, to give thr New Zealunder some idea of the power and resources of Great Britain. A course of mis management has rendered this step necessary. It is desirable to produce an effect, and exemplify the maxim,— th-it, to k<>e ) peace, we should be prepared for war. Is New Zealand then so '• inconsiderable and obscure" as not to deserve protection ? It is as a British Colony about seven years old. Do our neighbours recall ct what New South Wales was when seven ye irs old ? What was it at twenty ? — Botany Bay ! The Herald also talks with matronly ron sideration of the poor troops, who aie going where there are "no bai racks for their accommodation, and where, in a climate wet and damp they will have to shiver under canvas." Here the writer, whose cored statements and general truthfulness are so very creditable to him, has by some oversight omitted to contiast tin-, wretched housing with the splendid accommodation in the old barracks at Sydney. We would rvcommend him too, when he again thinks of us.ng his pen in this strain, to loam previously, for the sake of consistency, if the j pnrties he so commiserates agree with his sentiments For it is well known that the valiant 58th,who, having been quartered here for some time, must have had some acquaintance with our calumniated accommodations, ire delighted at the change which will cause them to leave Sydney for New Zealand. His tender feelings will possibly be somewhat relieved when he is informed that our troops are comfortably housed in wood and stone buildings, and although we now have room enough for 1000 men in the Auckland barracks alone, considerable additions are being made. Much is also said about the superior position of Sydney in case of a foreign attack. Now it was the opinion of Captain Fitzßoy, who, as a scientific navigator, ranks high, that Auckland was a far better place for a naval and military depot than Sydney. We are certainly closer to the Polynesian Islands, being at least 1 ,100 miles nearer Frenchified Tahiti; — and depend on it, in the event of an European wai, which ever power has New Zealand in its possession, will hold the key of this half of the southern hemisphere. In New South Wales, the natives, either for good or evil, are scarcely thought of in connexion with government ; but here, there are not only I some 14 or 15,000 English, but more than 100.000 Natives, to be ruled. The next ground of complaint is found in the decision of Ministers to send six companies of pensioners to New Zealand, and none to New South Wales. This is attributed to "the offensive partiality of Ministers." Alas ! those who know anything of our history, or have resided here from the commencement of the Colony, are well aware that little cause for jealousy has been created by any undue partiality shewn us. But, for the experiment to be tried, we state without fear of denial, that no other British Colony could have been so well chosen for the purpose. We aie not cursed with 30,000 convicts ; labour is in consequence perhaps high— but morality we trust is higher. How beautifully adapted too, is the climate for settlements of the kind cont-m-plated. Here, a village of pensioners can cult ivate their gardens without doubting that if they sow they will also reap ; that no hot furnace-blast will scorch up thtir productions in a day-— no winter's cold destroy the care of years in a night. They come to a climate eminently healthy and congenial to English constitutions But the Herald, after having paid such kind attention to the comloits of the poor soldiers, could not afterwards consistently neglect the poor pensioners. ''Each pensioner is to have a cottdge and an acre of ground, to be held rent free, and to become his own property alter seven years of his engagement have \ been completed. Twenty or thirty acres would be nearer the mark." Here again the Editor, as in the barrack case, is evidently drawing on his Ntw South Wales experience. Were the pensioners settled there, they might possibly require *20 or 30 acres ; but in this couotry, such is our climate and soil, that one is thought sufficient. We cannot finish without a slight notice of what we consider to be not only ungeneious, but utigrattful. Our imports trom England are dragged forward to contrast with those of an old established Oo.ony. Now the writer must well know that by fur the greater portion of our goods come, »ot directly from home, but by WAy of Sydney. We have been its best customer, have taken its goods, and its trnsh, and have paid well for them. But then, New Zealand is rapidly rising in importance, and this circumstance, instead ot being hailed with sisterly joy, has been pro ductive of bitter jealousy. We have another

application of "two of a trade can never agree." We have had quite enongh of snubbing and misrepresentation. It can now do no harm. Our superior claims as a free colony are at last appreciated at home. And we are in a position »ot only to laugh away the backbiting of our neighbours (!) but clearly to see thai the "petty, paltry, disjointed and disorganized settlements of i\'ew Zealand" have the elements of, and will in a few years become, a great COUNTRY.

New Savings' Uvnk.— The preliminary arrangements ibr opening and canying on a Savings' Bank in Auckland, have at length been matured. We understand that His Excellency Captain Grey has, to the extent of his power, on behalf of the Government, secured the Trustees from personal risk in iheir benevolent undertaking; and he also has caused a tract in the Maori tongue, vvilb the rules of the Bank appended, to be published and extensively circulated amongst the Natives. The effect of this wise step is soon becoming apparent, for a few days ago four natives came into town and placed the sum of £8 lGs. in the hands of Mr. C. Davies, the interpreter, for the purpose of having il deposited by him, on their behalf, as soon a* the Bank is opened. Tun Native Land Purchase Ordinance. — We aie happy to have it in our power to state, that the fine imposed last week on Joseph Robinson, for a breach of the Native Land Purchase Ordin nice, by cutting and cai lying atvuy timl/er off d-kivc Inml without a li cense, has been remitted by the Governor. This, no doubt, will give general satisfaction, as the Ordinance, if acted on to the strict letter of the law, in all cases, would, we are persuaded, bo a remedy fur worse than the diseise it is intended to cure. We understand, the worthy Resident Magistrate, on passing sentence, recommended Mr. Robinson to make his appeal to the Governor— which course he wisely adopted. Gakdunino. — If there is any one thing (or which the climate of New Zealand is pre-eminently favorable, it is for the delightful pursuit of Gardening. There is not a (Jay in the year in which a man, with n very ordinary knowledge of his work , cannot cull some fresh vegetable for his table. To those who reside in the co nitiy, a garden is not only one of the purest sources of enjoyment, but is also of considerable impoitaucc to the economy of the household. As there arc few, we believe, in this colony, nho do not feel interested in hoiticultur.il pursuits, we shall occasionally lay hoioru oui reudms, whatever facts may be new, or of sullicient impoitaucc, to deserve their attention. There arc many plans recommended lov sending seeds a Jong sea voyage without injury to their vegetative propcitics. We h ive k becomc acquainted with one, so simple and so elfcctUiil, that we wish to make it as generally known as we can. Let the seeds of each kind of plant be put into btout brown paper, and when all those smaller packets are folded, let them be made into one large one, by intermixing a sufficient quantity of fresh powdtred c/uircoal, as will completely separate one packet from another, In this manner the seeds of some tender plants which we have seengrow'mg vigorously in a gentleman's garden nciu this town, were lately received from ting land by the Louisa Campbell. A Boat CArsiSED. — On Thursday last, about noon, a boat, containing Mr. Thomas Cleghorn, his son, and a native, capsized in the river, between Smale's l'oint and the Watchman. She immediately turned keel upwards, when Mr. Cleghorn and the others laid hold of her, and managed to keep themselves afloat. A* soon as the capsized boat was observed from the Noble, store-ship, by Messrs. Duncan Campbell and James i Caradus, they promptly rowed off towards the sufferers, and with great difficulty arrived in time to save Mr. Cleghorn, who was nearly exhausted and was sinking below the surface, his companions being unable to alford him any assistance whatever. They were all three safely brought ashore, and we are happy to state that Mr. Cleghorn has recovered the shock which this accident occasioned,

Order for the Organization or Pensioners for New Zealand. —"War Office, Nov. 29, 1846. Sir, I am directed to inform you, that in consequence of numerous applications from pensioners who aru anxious to settle in the colonies, Her Majesty's Government propose authorising the enrolment of a corps of six companies, eacii consisting of four sergeants, four corporals, two drummers, and seventy-six privates, for settlement in New Zealand, on the conditions hereunto annexed. These conditions you will explain to the pensioners in your district at the next monthly payment in December, and you must also make them known as soon as possible, through your out-station sejjeants at those places where the pensioners, being paid quarterly, are not likely to be visited by you before January next. You will observe that the leading features of the present arrangement are to extend to the colony of New Zealand the principles of defence, by means of armed pensioners, which hay been found to answer so well at home, and by which the old soldier will be enabled, while no danger threatens, to follow the agricultural or other pursuits to which he has been accustomed in his country, but in the event of wai lie will be ready to take the field, and join the regular force employed for the defence of the colony, receiving for such occasional service the high rate of pay authorized for enrolled pensioners by the royal warrant of 7th September, 1843. There is this difference, however, as compared with the arrangements under which they serve in this country, and which you will be careful to explain to them, viz , that instead of the pay and enrolment money to the extent of JC2, which they have been in the habit of receiving here annually, they will in New Zealand have a cottage and an acre of ground provided for them on their arrival; the annual value of which is much more than equivalent to the moneypayment received for the same service in this country, and which cottage and land- will become their own property in perpetuity after seven years of their engagement have been completed. By the arrangements which have been made, coupled with the strict superintendence of the officers who will be placed over them, it is anticipated that these men and their families will be relieved from most of the difficulties which have attended a settlement in a new colony. They will have a cottage to enter on, and a small plot of ground available for cultivation, immediately on ttieir arrival; they will luve their pensions, as in this country, to aid in supporting them, and there is every probability of their obtaining abundance of labour, at good wages, for themselves and families ; but, to prevent any difficulty on that head, the government will engage to provide iuLoui on the public wotks at Is. (id. per day for each person enrolled on the force during his first year of residence in the colony. L. Sullivan. To the Staff Othcers of Pensioners,"— The reniaindo ol the order, which is long, points out the geneial healthiness of the climate, limits the number to be selected to one-seventh ol the whole force, and intimates that pensioners who are not enrolled will be received, under certain restrictions, to be mentioned hereafter. A printed code of conditions accompanies the order, which provides u Jrcc passage for the pensioners and their families, with rations; an advance of three months 1 pension on embarkation ; an advance of money for furniture, and other advantages. A considerable number of pensioners have already ofiered themselves.