THE SELF-RELIANT POLICY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2121, 21 November 1868, Page 3

THE SELF-RELIANT POLICY.

To llw. EtUlor of the Otago Daily Tikes. Sir—lt would appear that tho policy of the British Government has been lamo and impracticable towards Now Zealand. Either they have done too much or too littlo. Too much, in that they acceded to tho bounce of tho Assembly when desiring tho troops to be withdrawn, and tho colony to bo left to its own resources, and almost in fact, but absolutely in intention, denuded the North Island of troops, without previously insisting that a sufficient colonial force was organised to care for tho national honour, and ptotect the settlers in presence of a savage, and, though humbled, defiant enemy ; or too little, in that they did not, in withdrawing tho troops, also withdraw the Imperial flag, and declare tho colony independent. Asa natural consequence, wo havo tho present deplorable state of affairs in tho North Island, which will necessitate the Imperial power being again brought to bear on the "rebels." This time it is devoutly to be hoped that power will effectually subdue tho Maoris, and result in such safeguards being taken as shall utterly preclude any future disturbances. We may bo sure, however, that tho authors and abettors of tho braggart " self-reliant" policy of tho colony will havo to submit to much humiliation at the hands of those whoso assistance they so lately spurned, and now seek, in swell abject terror, on tho first appearance of a handful of armed and determined rebels. Does Colonel Whitmoro purpose that, by his manoeuvres, tho Wanganui de'-ach-ment of tho Royal Irish shall bo forced to engage tho enemy in self defence i It would bo but a proof of the value of tho policy of Sblf-uuliance. November 10th.

BURKS.

To die Editor of tlie Otaoo Daily Times. Sift—During the last few years, numbers of sheep have been imported here with burrs of the very worst description in their wool, and if this noxious weed has not already got a hold in this country, it doubtless will, if no measures are taken to prevent it. 1 look upon tho landing of sheep hero with burrs in the wool with greater horror than I would those infected with scab. There are no means of calculating the loss to wool-growers that would accrue from its spread in this country. I would Riiggest that the Government instruct tho Sheep Inspectors, should they see any of the seed of tho burr in the wool of sheep about to be landed, to try and induce the importers to Bhear their sheep before landing, and get tho wool packed, and so put? it beyond any chance of getting into the ground ; and as soon as possible steps ought to bo taken to give the Inspectors power to prohibit sheep landing with burr in their wool. Prevention is better than cure in all cases. Trusting that tho insertion of this in your columns may be the means of doing some «rood.—l am, &c., H. S. Dunedin, 20th October.