THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." DUNEDTN, TUESDAY, DEC. 1.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2129, 1 December 1868, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out Faciam." DUNEDTN, TUESDAY, DEC. 1.

It in easy to be wise af tor an event: wo can then see clearly enough where all was J obscurity before, and reasons Bpring up on all sides to prove that what has happened was the inevitable result of the course pursued. They who indulge in such commentaries on passing events are men not usually supplied with any great fertility of resources, and are generally incapablo of action in the presence of surrounding difficulties. Should they happen to be violent partisans, it is their hour of triumph when things do not go well, and they hasten to belaud themselves by insinuating that, had they been tho actors instead of othera, the aspect of affairs would have been very different. This is not the tone of criticism which honest men adopt on such occasions. The men of Nelson, beholding a common country involved in a common danger, forget tho strife of parties, and seek only how they may aid in averting tho impending calamity. They do not hesitate to lay aside their political differences of opinion, and to encourage those in power by assurances of support in their efforts to suppress rebellion. They feel that this is a time for prompt and energetic action on all hands, not for vague discussions or fruitless denunciations. Few things are bo easy as to stay our hands and withhold our sympathy while we discourse, with ostentatious self-importance, on the jeopardy of Imperial interests— on the failure of the self-reliant system— on the incapacity and recklessness displayed by the present rulers of the country. But this is not a time for discussing the past; it is a time for action —for action in the South as well as in the North —for action with tho citizen as well as with the soldier. It is a time for tho practical display of sympathy among all classes of society ; and if society is really animated by the same generous desire, the last thing it will tolerate is the insolent parado of political prejudice at the expense of truth.

Wo have before alluded to certain points of resemblance which 'present themselves between the present struggle in the North and the Indian Mutiny, in both wo find certain natural laws at work —a love of nationality on the one hand and a proneness to Buperatition on the other. We have all read of the Hindoo soldiers who, after withstanding every allurement to desertion and after

frequently hazarding their own lives to save their olliccrß, turned suddenly round and destroyed thoeo officers under the influence of quasi religious excitement. A crafty fanatical priesthood had industriously circulated, throughout tho native regiments, a rumour to the effect that their caste was endangered, their religion undermined. The credulous Hindoos, forgetting tho compulsory proselytism cf the Mahommcdan rule, joined the Mahommedan traitors in the endeavour to subvert the nationality which towered abovo both ; and encouraged by false prophecies, rushed upon destruction in their blind zeal. Thoro is little rosemblance in point of character between the Hindoo and tho Maori ; but their history as peoples is not wanting in points of contact. Passing by those casual outbreaks of cannibalism, arising from some hostile act on the part of traders touching at New Zealand ports in the old time, it may be sai'i that, until latterly, tho conduct of the Maori towards the European has on the whole been friendly and loyal. He gave the latter permission to settle on his land ; the Pakeha became as one of his triVe ; the Pak'iha's religion became his, and with it his genius for mechanical art and commercial intercourse. But the observant chiefs began gradually to perceive that tho dominion was passing away from their hands. They saw in 1840 that their ports were not so, much frequented as they formerly were, owiiijj to tho imposition of Customs duties, and in 18G0 that the land was changing owners from year to year. Aspirations for a national life and the assertion of national power were the natural resiilt; and these aspirations assumed a practical form in the shape of the Maori Kingdom and the Maori Land League. As in India the Hindoo and tho Mussulman united for the purpose of expelling the foreigner, so in New Zealand many tribes that had been at deadly feud for years, united for the purpose of renouncing the supremacy of fhe Crown, and asserting that their land could be parted with by the native owners only by permif-sion of tho nation rs expressed through its head. Tocnßure success, it was necessary that the religious element should be introduced in order to cement the incongruous mass. Tomeetthis necessity, several hybrid forms of superstitious faiths started into existence, each embodying the savoury old dogma of cannibalism. Tho lingering remembrance of this ancient rite was quickly warmed into activity, and at the present moment it threatens to resume its former sway among the tribes.

The sooner wo recognise the operation of these potent influences the better ; the sooner too wo adopt the principle of united, energetic action, tho better for us. There is no avoiding the crisis ; it is upon us, and it must be met. Nothing can be more fatal to this unity of action than the fancy that if Native difficulties were treated by particular sets of men, they would always be successfully treated. If Mr Stafford has failed in the matter of a Native policy, it is no 1, a logical conclusion that Mr Fox would prove equal to all emergencies of the kind. The personal influence of such men us Dr. I Fkatij BOSTON and Mr M'Lkan has led many to suppose that the suppression of revellion should bo left entirely to the Superintendents of thoNortliernProvinces. Wearo told that if the rebels were dealt with by tho local authorities, all would be well, and that tho present conflict is one merely between the General Government and tho Natives. The conflict is I etween the governors—whoever they may 1 c— and the governed. To introduce four separate and independent administrations would effectually destroy all prospect of peace. For instance, supposing that tho Superintendent of Taranaki had to rid his border at Patca of the murdering tribes under Tiro Kowaku, the Superintendent of Wellington must drive them back again, in order to rid his own Province of their presence ; both Provinces meanwhile drawing upon tho Colonial Treasury, since neither can pay its own way. Suppose again that the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay were to cease operations against the Poverty Bay natives—who are within the frontiers of the province of Auckland—what would the Northern Superintendent do ? Ho, like the rest of his northern brethren, is unablo to meet his provincial' expenses with provincial funds. The sinews of war must be provided by tho colony in every case ; and the result of auch a system would bo that colonial taxes would bo levied and then expended r.y officers not responsible to the Parliament of New Zealand. The difficulties of our position are great enough in themselves ; let us not seek to complicate them still further by introducing vicious theories of administration. They who have made New Zealand their home must beware against being beguiled b}' false issues, which may possibly distract their attention but can only servo to aggravate the evil

The distressing accidents which took place in the Harbour yesterday, full de-

tails of which appear in another column, are of far too important a character to be passed over in silence. In the early days of Dunedin, before the introduction of those facilities for communication, both by road and steam between it and Port

Ohalmers which now exist, intercourse between the two places was of necessity carried on by means of small boats. Notwithstanding this, however, and the fact that hundreds of persons were compelled to use this means of trausit, accidents of the kind to which we refer were exceedingly rare. Every one was aware that both skill and experience were requisite in those having the management of the boats employed for this purpose. The boats, moreover, were built with a due regard to the end for which they were intended, and to these two causes tho long immunity from accident was due. But since the formation of the road to Port Chalmers, and the introduction of harbour Bteamers, the old method of communication by means of small boats has fallen into -disuse. As, however, population, and wealth, have

flowed into Dunedin, boats" have b<'cn constructed for a totally different purpose. Young men engaged in business, in the city have patronised them extensively for the purposes of pleasure, and the build of the boats as a natural consequence lias materially changed. Instead of being staunch, strong, and well fitted for contending with the crosssea frequently raised by conflicting wind and tide, they have become long, slim, and crank, and very liable to be swamped or capsized in a sudden squall. To venture out in the Bay with such a ■wind as was blowing yesterday forenoon, in 1 oats of such a kind, was absolutely to court danger. While our warmest sympathies are enlisted in behalf of the, sorrowing friends of the young men who perished yesterday, wo trust that the •warning given, by their fate may have a salutary effect in deterring others from running similar risks in future.