The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1869.

Southland Times, Issue 1126, 19 March 1869, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1869.

Firmness and discretion are essential elements in a statesman, and if adequately cultivated and controlled, must lc-ad to political eminence j but, on the other hand, if neglected or abused, they lead to unthinking obstinacy and selfsufficient action. Mr Stafford possesses both these qualities. If he once adopts a policy, he leaves no stone unturned to carry it out — if once decided in his own mind as to the line of action to be taken in any particular matter, he uiiHincliin^ly pursues it, regardless of remonstrance or events. Firmness wifch Mr .Stafford .not unfrequently degenerates iuto an obstinate adherence to his owu opinions, wiiich are, gsnerally 3peairiu^ suuud, but when he does make a mis take, the self-sufficiency with which

he refuses to recoguise it, is calculated to do much mischief. The native policy he is now pursuing is au illustration of this. There can be little question that every country should cherish and foster self-reliance in its people, and encourage them to strive to overcome all difficulties that can be surmounted by energy and the materials at hand, but when it is found the materials are insufficient, it is little less than madness to persist in attempting to accomplish a work of magnitude without seeking assistance from others. Thecrushing out of the native rebellion it is almost certain cannot be achieved by the colonists themselves unless at a great sacrifice of life and money. We do not say that it would be impossible for the colonial forces, by calling out the militia throughout the whole colouy, to be successful, but events have shown that at present the colony is not prepared to fight the Maories without Imperial assistance. Every week fresh evidence is presented of the uselessness of attempting to put down the rebellion by the means Mr Stafford's Ministry is taking. The rebels are increasing in numbers, and in every direction fresh outrages are of continual occurrence ; our officers and men are being recklessly slaughtered, while the rebels are becoming more defiant. It is evident that whatever may be the opinion of the G-overnment, the majority of the colonists are convinced that without Imperial assistance, the war will be long and destructive. Under these circumstances it is nc matter for wonder that the native policy of Mr Stafford is largely condemned, and when a member of the General Assembly is to be elected, the Opposition candidate is the favorite. The recent election of Mr Thomas Birch, a Provincialist, as member for the City ol DunediD, in the place ; of Mr J. Pater son, a Centralist, was not a triumph for Provincialism, as against the principle of Centralism, but was a sweeping condemnation of the native policy of the G-o---vernment. The result was nothing more ■than what might have been expected. The Unionists could not be said to have put forward any candidate, for Mr J. Gr. S. G-rastt is not recognised by any party. "Who can be surprised at the thinning of the raDks of Mr Stafford's followers. His conduct in refusing to solicit from the Commander of the Forces the assistance of Imperial troops, when he knew they could be got if asked for is, rightly or wrongly, attributed to a personal difference between himself - -n-uLucrf 1 — oral xn^ppfoninnent should be expressed, and the question of union or disunion be swallowed up in the more exciting one of the native war. Again, the Opposition is organised, and its members work in unison ; the Unionists have now no organisation — the former have always a popular man to bring forward, the latter appears to have adopted the "trust in Providence " mo tto in reference to elections. The question upon which the recent elections have turned was unquestionably the native policy ofthe Government. It | was this and not Mr Birch's Provincial proclivities that gave him so large a majority over his opponent. The determined refusal of Government to take Imperial troops, after experience had shown the self-reliant policy adopted, though good in theory, was weak in practice — that it was in advance of the colony — has been censured by nearly all the journals in this and the Australian Colonies. The ' New Zealand Sun,' in an article on the result of the Dunedin election, says : — "In well informed circles it was notorious that the Colonial Government had only to express a wish for the aid of the available troops within the colony, to obtain it. With the authority iv his pocket to help the colony, the general was allowed to leave without the assistance he was able to render being asked of him. Who shall say what frightful consequences may follow, on the obstinate determination of the Government to refuse to seek for the colony the aid it so sorely needed. As we stated a little while back, the spirit of disaffection is spreadiug. There is no knowing where it may end. The cannibals are being reinforced ; British settlers are being exposed to freah massacres ; Und yet, forsooth, British soldiers are standing idle by. The whole colony is interested in breaking down the obstinacy of the Government. If for no other reason, the loyalty of the colony demands that Imperial aid should be sought and used."