TARANAKI.

Colonist, Issue 95, 17 September 1858, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The Taranaki Herald, of 28th ultimo, says :— The rumoured appointed disbandment of the New Plymouth Battalion of the New Zealand Militia has occasioned general surprise and dissatisfaction in the province, and may not inaptly be termed the climax to the many inconsistencies which have marked the policy of "the General Government at this place in matters which might affect the Maoris nowever remotely. If the Government can justify the stated intention, the enrolment of the Militia was a vexations and needless tax on the time and resources of the inhabitants which the Government will scarcely be prepared to acknowledge; but if, as we shall shew by their own admissions, that organisation was necessary for the public safety, the disbandment of the force is inexpedient and hazardous. The enrolment of the Militia originated in a resolution of the Provincial Council—a Council, be it remembered, constituted of residents having a deep interest in the maintenance of peace and order; and had their judgment misled them, or their apprehensions been groundless, we may be sure that the Colonial Secretary, who has shewn himself to be so jealous of provincial interference, would not have committed himself to the letter he addressed to his Honor the Superintendent in February last.

. Acting upon his authority, Major Lloyd'assembled the inhabitants liable to serve as militia in March last, and three hundred of them were at once organised for training and exercise. When the. Government appealed to the best -feelings of the inhabitants to aid them in maining peace, and, if necessary, in asserting her Majesty's author^ as against the Maoris, they acted insincerely, or on impulse and without a defined plan; for certain it is that all the militia have sot in return for the commendable enthusiasm displayed by them in answer to the Colonial Secretary's appeal, has been a lot of cast-off soldiers' coats served out to them, and charged against their pay—Avhen they get. it; and now disbandinent, because some have ventured to ask for pay to recompense them in some -measure for loss of time, wear and tear of clothing, and in many instances for actual pecuniary loss whilst engaged in militia duties.

The suppression of the militia can only be accounted for on one or both of the above suppositions, .and that the Government never, as our columns have frequently testified, seriously contemplated operations, or even protective measures on behalf di the community against the natives under any amount of provocation. For apart from the rebel King creation, and the intimated reduction of her Majesty's forces throughout the colony, there are chronic causes which render it expedient that a militia should be permanently established in Taranaki. It is true that active disturbances amongst the natives have ceased, but the elements of discord exist as heretofore, and may at any moment break out again. The natives are always prepared to take the field, and parties of them are even at the present time being drilled at the Kaipakopako and Waitara, but before organisation! amongst ourselves could be. attained, an incalculable amount of mischief, in case of outbreak, might be inflicted on the province. Do the Government think that some 500 men would turn out at their call for " actual service" when the opportunity of previous " training and exercise " is forbidden to them ?

The inability of the Government to meet the cost of maintaining the Militia has been mentioned as a probable reason for the course they have taken, but no such cause can be urged since the Circular Memorandum issued by the Horse Guards in September last provides for such a contingency by stating that " the clothing, arms, rations, and pay of the officers and men (composing the local forces) must be subject to such provisions as may be made by the coiony, in pursuance of any legislative enactment passed, or to be passed for this purpose.'. If the Colonial Treasury should be unable to meet such expenditure, recourse must be had to the Military Chest; and it is the duty of the officer commanding her Majesty's forces to authorise by his warrant, upon the requisition of the Governor, the issue of such advances as may be considered necessary for the purpose in •question." ;