The Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 339, 15 June 1869, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1869.

Those who remember the fervid appeals which the Press used to make to the public on behalf of the unity of the colony, the withering sarcasm with which it denounced those who would " selGdhly leave the North Island to fighfc its own battles," &c, &c., &c, in Lhe same direction, must be either vastly amused or greatly puzzled at the very marked alteration which has lately come over the spirit of our contemporory's dreams. The North cries out again for money to " conquer a permanent peace," whatever that may mean ; the Press implores the representatives of the Middle Island to refuse it. What ! Selfishly leave our poor brother in the North to the tender mercies of a savage foe ? Hefuse him this modest request for assistance? We are afraid hard times have brought our contemporary round to the justly selfish as opposed to the chivalrously generous policy. Well, that ia something. We don't despair of yet finding the Press advocating separation a3 earnestly as it used to denounce it. In its article of this morning, the Press dwells at some length on what, apparently, is a newly discovered idea about the self-reliance policy. Our contemporary has had rather a hard time of it about this same policy. The defection of such prominent men as Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Eichmond, and Mr Hall, from the ranks of the party was the first blow which tbe policy received. Then followed the retirement of other leaders to safe retreats — Mr .Fitz Gerald to the permanent and well-paid office of Comptroller, and now Mr Weld to the substantialities of a colonial Governorship — whence they occasionally raised their voice to urge on the poor wretches whom they had led within range of a galling and destructive fire. By the way, this reminds us that the Press has never yet told us in what light it regards the conduct of these gentlemen — the men who led tbe colony into committing itself to a ruinous policy, and when the push came sought safety in retreat. What would the Press Bay if it hud to comment on the conduct of an oflicer who, leading a forlorn hope, ran behind some friendly shelter when the shot and shell began to come unpleasautly near? Will the Press tell ua in what respect the conduct of the gentlemen we have named — two of them especially — differs from the conduct of such an officer as we bave described? We can't, for the life of us, see any difference whatever. We Bhall be told, doubtless, that such questions are vulgar, and that no gentleman would ever dream of asking them. But they will be asked, they are asked now, by thousands of those who are suffering all the terrible evils of that miserable self-reliant policy. Can we wonder that the people contrast their own hard lines with the " pleasant places" into which the men who led them into the battle, and then fled, have fallen? Let these men answer. And now about this new idea which our contemporary has got hold of. On May 28, our contemporary said — " Self-reliance is represented in some " quarters as synonymous with a vigor- " ous prosecution of the war. That is "a jumble of ideas for which those " must be held accountable who, either " through inveterate prejudice or from <f pure stupidity, have mixed together " two things which have no necessary " connection. In point of fact the case "is rather the reverse. So far from (< being provocative of war, self-reliance " is rather calculated to lead to peace." To-day the Press has the following : — " In writing lately on the subject of "the self-reliant policy we pointed out " tbat it would be a great mistake to " suppose that that policy was adopted " as, or meant nothing else than, a more " effective means of prosecuting the " native war." It will, perhaps, be of

some service if we examine these asser- \ tions. Self-reliance, says the Press, does not mean a vigorous prosecution of the war. What, in heaven's name, does it mean, then ? What was Mr Weld's idea oi self-reliance ? To keep a colonial standing army of 1500 men, subsequently reduced to 500, and to pay for it ourselves. That was Mr Weld's idea. The army was to be there, at all events ; and we were to pay for it. If not to fight, what was this army to do ? Were we to pay about £100,000 ayear for the mere satisfaction of hiving 500 well-drilled, well-dressed, smart men to look at ? It strikes us very forcibly, ancl we believe it will strike the majority of the public as well, tbat these fine fellows — with such splendid opportunities — would have made a mar for us rather than allow people to begin to ash whether it mas necessary to pay so much for a machine tliat did no worlt. At all events, whatever may/ have been the intentions of those wl/o launched the self-reliant policy — atul mho retired when the ship mas getting into danger — tbere can be no mistake about its meaning now. It may not ostensibly or necessarily mean a vigorous prosecution of the war, but that is what it includes, should war break out. Mr Weld did not say — I will employ the small army wbich I ask for in prosecuting war. But he said — I will employ it in punishing disturbances. What is the difference ? What have the colonial forces been doing for tbe last eight or nine months ? Punishing disturbances. And so it will always be. We may proclaim a peace, as we probably shall when the Natives, having used all their warlike stores, ask for it. What then ? A few years pass away, perhaps, during which time the Natives are quietly employed in their preparations to renew the struggle. When they are about ready a few petty depredations will be committed, as in the Patea district — a few horses or sheep belonging to the settlers stolen, mayhap a house burned. The Government make an attempt to bring the offenders to justice, as they did at Patea. In a few weeks, perhaps days, a murder is committed by some of the more violent Natives. The little army is sent out to " avenge outrages," and so a war is again begun. We aak the public, we ask the Press even, to say whether this is not a true description of how the war now going on was beguu. And so will it continue while we attempt to hold lands which the Natives, by all their traditions and customs, are bound to persist in trying to reconquer. +,