MR. GISBORNE'S MEMORANDUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 971, 30 March 1870, Page 3

MR. GISBORNE'S MEMORANDUM.

We regret that we have been unable to find room in our columns to publish in fall an ably written memorandum — signed by the Colonial Secretary in the absence of Mr. Fox — in answer to Earl Granville's despatch of October last, in which he peremptorily ordered the removal of the 18th Regiment. This despatch of Lord Granville, it will be remembered, was published in the London papers a few days after it was written, and the substance of it — forwarded by telegraph-reached New Zealand several days previous to the document coming into the Governor's hands. " This course," says Mr. Gisborne, "is a rrost unusual one in the case of despatches to the Governor of a colony, and apart from what may be considered mere etiquette or precedent, there is some reason to believe that the premature publication had a very mischievous effect on the native mind generally, and on the negotiations which were at the time in progress with the King Natives in particular." Lord Granville said in his despatch that "The Colonial Government had given a pledge that the regiment would be paid for during the temporary retention sanctioned by General Chute, but they had neglected to say whether, in the event of the Imperial Government agreeing to let it remain permanently, the Colony would pay such sum as might be demanded." The point is very cleverly taken hold of by Mr. Gisborne, who shows that Lord Granville had no grounds for supposing that the Colony would refuse to pay for the regiment at such rate as might be agreed on ; and that his Lordship has not taken the trouble to make himself acquainted with the contents of the despatches sent by the Government hei'e. The question of the confiscated lands which Lord Granville brings forward in his despatches, is disposed of in the memorandum, for Mr. Gisborne shows that in 1866 and 1867, two successive Secretaries of State — Mr. Cardwell and Lord Carnarvon — who had before them all the circumstances out of which these reasons arise, and who had also before them the direct request of the Colonial Government that all the Imperial troops might be removed, decided to leave one regiment in the Colony, substantially on the condition that a certain sum was voted annually for native purposes. These are indisputable facts, and it is also true, as Mr. Gisborne points out, that during the last three years, in all the voluminous correspondence which has passed between the Imperial and Colonial Governments respecting the retention of this one regiment, the former never indicated their intention to reject all terms. On the contrary, they have expressly invited the Colony to make a distinct proposal, and it was in compliance with this invitation that the Colonial Government asked the Legislature for power to send Commissioners to England, With reference to the regiment stationed in the Colon}', Mr. Gisborne asks Lord Granville to look at the history of the last three years, duriuowhich not one Imperial soldier has been called on to fire a shot or to leave his garrison. Active hostilities, he says, have almost incessantly prevailed during that period, some of the most flourishing settlements have been devastated, and the town of Wanganui while garrisoned by Imperial soldiers has been threatened. It cannot, therefore, be said with justice that the mere presence of a regiment in the Colony — asked for on the ground of moral support alone— is at all likely to implicate the Imperial Government in the further prosecution of the war. But Mr. Gisborne demurs to what he calls the " strange and inadmissible " doctrine of withdrawing the British troops because they might be used when disasters occur. New Zealand, he says, is not an alien country. It is peopled by two races, both of which— one by natural allegiance and the other by treaty — are British snbjects. Moreover, the present Prime Minister of England, when Chancellor of the Exchequer in 186-i, said that "he did not see how England could with justice throw the whole responsibility of the war on the Colony ;" that the policy which led to the war "had not been exclusively that of the Colony ;" but that "the Home Government had approved it, and were so far responsible for it." The war to which Mr. Gladstone alluded has not yet ceased, remarks Mr. Gisborne, and it follows that the responsibility of the Imperial Government is exactly what it was in 1864. The Government decline to enter into any lengthened defence "on the points at issue of Native policy since its conduct was transferred to the Colonial Government." Such a defence, he says, must not only be controversial, but even recriminatory, for it would necessarily involve a criticism of the Imperial Native policy before and after the commencement of the war." But the Colonial Government, continues Mr. Gisborne, are by no means desirous of avoiding such an investigation. So far from this being the case, they distinctly ask for " an impartial and searching inquiry, and request that commissioners — one selected by the Imperial and one by the Colouial Government — be appointed to ascertain on the spot the true state of affairs, and the due share of responsibility devolving on all concerned." There are other points which are ably dealt with by Mr. Gisborne in this memorandum, and from its being a temperate reply will have more effect in convincing" the authorities at Downing-street than an acrimonious retort to it would have had.

Marriage make 3 a man aud woman one, but the trouble is to tell which of them is the one.

A country sculptor was ordered to engrave upon a stone, " A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband :" but, being pinohed for room, it was contraced that : " A virtuous woman is si. to her husband."

A Batch of Honorable 3. — The following despatch from Earl Granville to his Excellency, is published in the Gazette :—": — " Downing-street, December 13, 1869. Sir, — I have received your Despatch No. 124, of the 18th September last, recommending that the members of the late Ministry of New Zealand, viz., Messrs. E. W. Stafford, W. Fitzherbert, J. Hall, J. C. Richmond, and Colonel T. M. Haultain, should ba permitted to retain the title of Honorable ; and I have to acquaint you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve of those gentlemen retaining the title within New Zealand. In conveying her Majesty's decision, I have much pleasure in placing on record my appreciation of the services rendered to the Colony by Mr. Stafford during a long and distinguished political career ; and by Mr. Fitzherbert, in the able and judicious conduct of his recent negotiations with the Government of this country, respecting the adjustment of the Imperial and Colonial claims arising out of the war in New Zealand."

Cabbage Blight .—A writer in the Southland Nevjs says — " Seeing now and then in the papers one or the other remedy against the cabbage blight, I conclude that not everyone knows that the simplest and surest remedy is powdered dry earth, strewn thickly on the affected parts. If it is not too far gone, the blight will disappear after two or three powderings ; bnt when it is bad, or on parts of the leaves where the powder will not stick, then it must be rubbed on a little — the latter is the quickest cure. Let no one fear that the powdered earth will hurt the plant; even if the very heart is filled and covered with it, the cabbage or tnrnip, when relieved of the blight, will, by growing, soon throw the earth off again."

AEemedy for all kinds of Wounds. — The bloom of the common mangold (calendula) (says the Oamaru Times) iufused in equal parts of pure alcohol and water, is an admirable remedy for all kinds of wounds, cuts, bruises, and burns, on man or beast. Its effect; in allaying pain and removing soreness is similar to that of tincture of arnica. One ounce of the blooms to half a pint of alcohol and half a pint of water, is the receipt.

Why is the letter F like death ?—lt? — It makes all fall.