SEAT OF GOVERNMENT QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 80, 15 February 1864, Page 4

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT QUESTION.

[From tlio " Otago Daily Times," Jan. 30th.] As might, have been expected the seat of Government question is occupying a good deal of the attention of the Northern papers. The Auckland press heartily denounces the proposed removal, and indulges in uncomplimentary terms respecting the rival candidates for the post of honor. The Wellington papers, knowing how fruitless would he their search for reasons why Wellington should be made a seal, of Government, content themselves by laying the flattering unction of their souls that it must" hethe Assembly decided that Cook's Straits should be the locale of the newcapital, and Wellington is the only suitable spot in the Straits. Kelson and Picton pitch into Auckland, and faintly deprecating the ambition of Wellington, hope their chancc is not bad. Meanwhile the desire for absolute Separation is increasing in Auckland, and every day shows strong reasons for continuin" at Auckland a permanent powerful authority. No event could have so strongly proved the fallacy of the opinions of those who assert that the natives can be better governed from a distance, than the late murders at ICaipara. \\ e think that those who know all concerning that affair, will admit that if the Government had been stationed at Wellington at that lime, the atfair might and probably would have assumed n very much more serious aspect. It is well known to many persons that the accounts published in the Auckland papers of the ICaipara tragedy, suppressed several unpleasant and unlookedfor circumstances. The temper of tho native population in that district was by no means so loyal and friendly as it was made out to be. But for the commendable prompitude of the Government in the matter and the demonstration of force that was made to hack up the diplomacy of Mr. Fox, it is very probable the Kaipara distinct would have become the theatre of further outrages and possibly of war. [Our cotemporary is in error ' in the report. The fullest publicity was given to the minutest details of the whole affair.—Ed. N. Z. H.] ■ It is all vcry well to spenk of tho perfect friendliness and loyalty of the Northern natives, but no one knows better than Sir George Grey himself that the barrier which the presence of the supreme authority at Auckland has interposed between the North em and Southern tribes, has been veiy much to do with maintaining the neutrality of the Northern natives. We do not assume that the Ngapuhisand other Northern tribes are at all disaffected to the Government. Jlut we do say that the constant chock which the existence [ of the Government t»t AurkJw'J Jin# plocod »jx>a

them, has been one if not the chief means of preserving the loyalty of the Northern tribes. Tlicv have bad 110 opportunity orlemptation to become disaffected. Put in a time of exeiiemenl such as the present there is, undoubtedly, a strong common svmpathv pervading the whole native population of the North Island. And it would be a most foolish thing to remove from the tribes not already drawn into the vortex of war, any of the Restraints - which have operated to keep them quiet so long. The land dispute between tho two sections of the Ngapuhi tribe a year or so ago, did not threaten the peace of the district as regards Europeans, but si ill former experience had shown bow quarrels of any kind operated on the native mind, and the Governor himself thought the matter of sufficient importance to cause him to hurry up to the scene of quarrel, and use his personal influence to stay it. So in the ease of tlui Kiapara murders the other day, 110 lesj a personage than the Colonial Secretary thought it necessary that lie should exert the authority and in fluenec of a member of the Government, to induce the trihi of the murderer to consent to the law taking its course. Had a simple jlolicemiin been sent up, the chances are that his authority woidd have been scorned ; the matter might, have been taken up bv the settlers, force used, possibly blood spilt and the district plunged in war. To remove from Auckland the presence of the supreme authority in native matters, will be to destroy the greatest security the colony possesses for the loyalty of the powerful and influential .tribes north of the isthmus. It is not that the physical position of Auckland would not equally prove a protection against insurrection, but that the moral power and influence which the presence of . authority exerts, would be destroyed. There may be some who will scoli' at any doubts of the firm loyalty , of (he Ngapuhis under any and all circumstances. The experience of the last three or four years has. however, inculcated a lesson that should not easily be forgotten. There a'.'e many tribes and individual natives in open anus against the Government now, who a few years ago were regarded as the firmest and most loyal of friends. The colony cannot all'ord to run the risk of another native insuncelion. Not 11 single foothold must be let go ; not a vestige oV influence or restraint lie removed, if it would avoid future troubles. • for the purpose of Native Government, Wellington is about the most unsuitable place that could be possibly selected. Plant the Government at Wellington, and it would be found necessary In have one half the 1 Ministry-living at Auckland. The ctlru diliieulties of administering the Government would cause the almost total neglect of Middle Island requirements, i and general mismanagement would result, liut leaving 011 011 c side all consideration for Middle Island interests, nothing but the most will'ul pariizant-hip can blind the eyes of anyone to the folly—nay, worse than folly, the suicidal policy of attempting to administer from Wellington the functions ol'a Government which will be separated, by a roadless country, and an unsettled population, from that part of the island where ils authority and interference will be most required. Willi the local claims of the two cilics we have nothing to do. It docs not mailer whelher Wellington be a large and populous city, or riep-nrrxit. The objections to Wellington arc apart, from petty local considerations. >"ot only would llic removal of the Government of the North Island from Auckland be a positive evil, but that evil would pc greatly magnified by planting it at Wellington. We have confined ourselves in this article, to dis- ' cussing the effect of the removal as iilfectiug native mailers only. Of course, the objections as regards more domestic administration arc still jjrcalcr, and have already been pointed out. ' «