The Taranaki Herald.

Taranaki Herald, Volume X, Issue 491, 28 December 1861, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald.

NEW PLYMOUTH, DECEMBER 28, 1861. Another Christmas Day has passed, and we still find ourselves living on, in a state of dreary uncertainty as to the future. Our present position, although in son\e respects an improvement on that in which we stood a year ago, is yet, perhaps, even more difficult to endure with an^ thing like cheerfulness. Nothing is moro insupportable to human nature than absolute dulness, and that is the form of suffering which we are now called upon to bear, probably for many months to coirie. Last Christmas we \vere about to witness General Pratt's grea'c experiment in Maoricatching, and to watch his gradual and tedious approach, to the bird which we saw ready to hop a^vay into the bush as soon as he should come unpleasantly near ; but, when the sap was commenced, we had little conception of the slowness of the process ; and, during its progress, our minds were kept from complete stagnation by the spectacle of our burning houses, and by tjfee hope which never' quite forsook us, that some unforeseen occurrence might give our arms a signal viptory, and terminate in one day the weary struggle. We are now to be spectators of another great experiment, very different, we hope, in success, from that of last Christmas, but likely to resemble it, at least, in the length of time which it will require, — the diplomatic approach of Sir George Grey to the stronghold of Maori pride and independence. That this latter operation will succeed in form, there can be no more doubt than there was that General Pratt would get to Te Arei if he persevered with his digging. In a few months there will be little Maori Provincial Governments legislating away vigorously all over the island ; but will the Maori difficulty be much nearer a solution ? The building may rise rapidly and seem a great success till the last stone is placed — till the Governor's authority is exerted against the wishes of a majority (for surely a majority of savages will not always be in the right !) ; but will it not then fall to the ground, for want of a sure foundation, in respect for the power of which the Governor is the representative ? Such are the forebodings which we cannot help entertaining, believing, as we do most firmly, that the time had come at the commencement of this war when a demonstration of our power was absolutely needed, and that the miserable conduct of the war has rendered such a demonstration more necessary now than ever. It must, however, be frankly admitted that we have as yet but an imperfect idea of Governor Grey's intentions, with regard to the tribes which have been in arms against us. The terms on which they are to be permitted to ' return to their allegiance' have not been published ; and probably the subject will not be broached until the new institutions have been set on foot amongst the hitherto friendly or neutral tribes. We have, then, yet to look forward to another long period of suspense, without the external excitements which helped to keep us alive last year; and it is most desirable that the time should be occupied in some way which, while it prevents us from eating our own hearts, may be of some permanent utility to the settlement. It is, therefore, with no small feeling of satisfaction that we state our belief that a large majority of those now enrolled in the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers, and" who depend mainly on their pay for a subsistence, are not only willing, but anxious to give an equivalent for the money they receive, in the form of work for the good of the settlement ; the only conditions being that their whole time should be so employed, and their pay increased to the ordinary rate of laborers' wages. To those whose time is already fully and profitably occupied such an arrangement may be at first unwelcome, but they will have the alternative of relinquishing either their public pay or private employments, and we believe there are few who do not see the necessity of reducing, as far as circumstances will permit, the present heavy

expenditure, and the desirability, in every point of view, of obtaining some equivalent for that which must be continued. We earnestly hope that the next mail from Auckland may bring us the decision of the General Government on this subject, believing that the continuance of the present state of things during a long period of inaction would be very painful to those who have always hitherto been honorably dependent on the fruits of their own labour, and very injurious to any there may be amongst us in whom two years of an unsettled and objectless life have given rise to habits of indolence which, if confirmed, may render them useless, or worse than useless, to themselves and their fellow-men» Supposing the plan to be adopted, it will need great judgment in the Provincial authorities to direct this labour into the proper channels. The work, if it is to be of any use, in the way of distracting our thoughts from our present irksome position, must be of a kind in which those engaged can take a real interest, and on this account, as far as possible, the settlers should be employed in their own districts. But it is premature to discuss details until the general plan is determined on, and we shall take an opportunity of referring again to the subject, if circumstances should render it desirable. For the present we must conclude by reminding ourselves and our readers that work, although an excellent thing in its way, is not all that is required to keep the mind in proper tune ; and, recommending every one to do his best to emulate that true philosopher, Mark Tapley, in the great art of being "jolly under difficulties," we heartily wish our fellowsettlers "A merry Christmas and a happy New Year !"