The Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1868.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 117, 28 September 1868, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1868.

Just before the debate on Mr M'Lean's " alarm " motion was brought to a close on Friday evening last, Mr Fox read a letter from Dr Featherston, in which the writer, who has been unable to attend the House during tiie session, gives his views on tho present aspect of affairs. We have re-pub-lished that lotfcer, and we ask our readers to peruse it carefully. They will find that it is divided into two parts, and that it contains a special appeal to the Middle Island representatives. Dr Featherston points out, first, that the colony is in the midst of a crisis, which, serious in itself, is rendered far more so " because we cannot see to what end the policy of the Government is leading us.." He might have added that the Q-overnmout is unwarrantably stretching its power in trying to effect great organic changes in the Constitution without consulting the people. By means of a "secured" majority, Mr Stafford threatens to do just, what may seem to him right. He virtually refuses to allow the electors an opportunity of saying whether they desire eertaiu changes, for these he tries to effect by means of bills brought iv without warning and pushed through the House at a rate which effectually prevents any expression of public opinion. If this style of thing is tolerated, our liberties may be snatched from us before we are aware. How can it bo said that we po«aeß3 the power of selfgovernment when we are uoc consulted at all on matter« of vital importnnoe to the welfare of the country ? We might as well live under a despotism. It is impossible to exaggerate the alarming position of Native affairs, and that portion of Dr. F^JUbiTston's letter which deals with the subject may be fairly taken as the earnest conviction of one who knows well what he is writing about. The Native news, which our readers will find in another column, fully bears out the worst apprehensions of those qualified to form an opinion. In the Putea district, Colonel McDonnell appears to have gained nothing whatever by another expedition on September 20. In Hawke's Bay, the settlers are abandoning their homesteads in the outlying districts, and the friendly Natives hold aloof in sullen indifference. Mr McLean tells ub that, despising the action of the Government, disgusted at the treatment they have received, and dreading the incursions of the Hau-haus, these friendly Natives are erecting fortified pahs for their own protection. It cannot be denied that we are now in the midst of another war, and that it threatens to spread

all over the North Island. And the Middle Island will have to pay th* bill.