THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT Saturday, May 24, 1845.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 16, 24 May 1845, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT Saturday, May 24, 1845.

The able manner in which New Zealand has been governed by the Colonial Office through the agency of Hobson, Shortland, and Fitzroy, has at the end of five years made the military subjects of defence and attack more urgent, interesting, and exciting, than the settlers could have imagined would ever be the case. We are becoming a military population, and the thunder of canaon is the music most pleasing to the ears of the determined colonist. In this there may be more good than many contemplate, as it may hereafter be found to prove our best guarantee for colonial liberty and good government. Let the bulk of the settlers be thoroughly versed in the use of arms, and they will not fail to be animated by the confidence which the sense of power inspires. Possessed of confidence warrantably based upon knowledge, and we feel convinced the settlers will be allowed to manage their own affairs at no distant date, and then, and not until then, will there be any chance of their being profitably conducted.

The military are daily exercised. Volunteers have long been training; a bill sanctioning a militia, is being brought into operation here, in a satisfactory manner; and the list of officers appointed is generally approved. Places of refuge and defence are being prepared, but we confess are not beingcompleted with the rapidity the urgency of the case demands. They ought to have been ready for occupation before this time, and yet from the slow progress making at present months will elapse before they are tenable. We warn the authorities that they will be in confusion, and find themselves Jpossibly open justifiably to severe charges, should a few days furnish news from the Bay of Islands not of a satisfactory nature. Besides, it should be kept in mind that Te Rauparaha has been here, and has"seen the defenceless state of the place. He has suddenly departed from the Hutt, apparently upon bad terms with the intruders there, and equally so with the murderer Rangihaeata who has had the impudence to ensconce himself in the pah near the bridge; but we ought always to be suspicious of natives who have already so frequently proved themselves so treacherous. Te Rauparaha may have gone away devoid of intention to act for or against the settlers; but he may. be in league with the Hutt intruders and with Rauparaha. It would be

idle to attempt to calculate the probabilities having reference to the motives by which he is animated at the present moment, when speculation would after all terminate in suggesting the propriety of being prepared at any moment to resist an invasion of the town or district.

We notice that a party at Auckland declares the settlers ought not to be called upon to acquire a knowledge of the use of arms and military tactics, and should not evince a readiness to assert the rights of one another against the native population ; hecause it is the duty of the Home Government to protect them. And this party, we find since the militia law came into opera* tion, has its advocates here, especially among those who have cried out most lustily war J war! ! and nothing but war!!! knowing full well that the Government had not the power to jiunish the natives, unless sustained by the vigorous co-operation of the settlers. It were as wise for a gentleman who had paid one hundred pounds for his passage by a vessel, if she were to spring a leak, to decline pumping because he had not undertaken to perform the act. Either these parties knew that their assistance would be required or they did not know it, when calling upon the Government to assort British authority. If they knew it their conduct is equally cowardly and dishonest; and if they did not, the stout hearted, they may rest assured, will feel equally disgusted with their arrogance as with their ignorance. We have no doubt it will be found that an enormous majority of those who urged on to blood, are strictly fireside generals.

We are here and not inclined to leave New Zealand. England has sadly neglected the colony, but events promise improvement. We may wait until forces sufficient arrive from home; but should events be favourable at the Bay, of which none doubt, the Government backed by the settlers will be strong enough to place savagism and civilization in their proper relation. If the settlers do not like to play their part like men, let them say so. Without their assistance no steps could with propriety be taken until re-inforcements arived. If they will assist, the question which must be settled sooner or later, may be set at rest forthwith; without it delay for how long we know not,. must ensue. But if they declare against taking a part, it will be unjust to blame the Government for not doing that which they know cannot now be accomplished without their assistance. We feel we are making the matter far too serious, for the settlers far from evincing a desire to shirk have shown an excellent spirit, and we feel confident will continue to do so. They have not cried out for war, but will act like men when the evil day arrives ; and we have no doubt the colonists will, with a passing smile of contempt, be content to allow the bloodthristy fireside to continue to indulge in the cowardly tactics for which such characters have always been remarkably proverbial. Turly there are some terrifically cowardly and base persons among the class called gentlemen, but the heart of Port Nicholson is thoroughly British and sound.

When we think of the numerous, valuable, and varied articles of export, which New Zealand possesses, we cannot avoid asking ourselves one or two questions. Is the Home Government so insensate, as to neglect a country which, under careful management, might be made the richest jewel in England's Crown ? And can such romancing enthusiasts actually exist, as the body of false philanthropists that Capt. Fitzroy represents ? Unfortunately, we do not have to go far for an answer, for we see it legibly written in the face of every settler, and find it in the neglected state o. every part of the colony. Whether the system hitherto pursued, is to be continued, is a query we shall all soon be acquainted with. The Dogmas of Exeter Hall are happily, we trust, working their own cure ; and the eyes of the Home Authorities will probably, from recent events, be opened to the folly, not to say injustice, of longer pursuing a falsely humane (query inhuman) principle, and otherwise following out a system, which will eventually end in New Zealand being lost to Great Britain as a colony. And possibly, the immense resources of this country, would not be made manifest to those who have hitherto shamefully neglected it, till conviction came too late to remedy the evil. Anticipating, however, that recent events will

turn the balance of the scale in our favour, and that affairs will henceforth become more cheering, we are led to notice a few of the articles New Zealand possesses, and which we are convinced will be the means of raising this colony to a high position as an exporting country. Oil and whalebone.—A good trade has been carried on in these valuable articles, for the last four years, and has mainly contributed to the little progress which the settlement has made. Port Nicholson cannot yet boast of any whaling vessels, but w,e, trust our merchants will soon enter into this profitable branch of the trade. As it is, the shore parties give employment, to nearly six hundred men.

Phormium lenax, or New Zealand Flax. —Though a good traffic is kept up in this staple of the colony, very little has been done towards perfecting the article for the European market. Whoever discovers the right method of working the flax, which we have no doubt will be simple enough, will confer a lasting benefit on the settlers in New Zealand.

Furniture woods, of rare and excellent qualities, are to be had in abundance, and will form a remunerative export. First rate timber for turning purposes, is also to be had. And further the New Zealand Box is larger than any imported into England.

Staves for casks —durable and strong, and cheaper than American. Casks from New Zealand staves have been made for some time, and equal any casks in the world, both for make, cost, and tightness.

Tanning bark. —Any quantity may be had at a cheap rate.

Dye barks. —The same may, be said of these.

Sulphur exists in many places, to an incredible extent.

Limestone.—Found in a variety of places. Iron, —known to abound in various localities.

Copper. — Mines of Copper have been worked at the Great Barrier, of excellent description. Discovered also in other districts.

Manganese.— The same may be said of this article.

Lead, —has lately been discovered at the Kai Kora's.

Coal, —has been found all over the country.

Marble, —exists in several places. There is another branch of trade, as yet in embryo, but which will eventually of great importance. We allude to oil and lard from pigs. Much has been written on this subject, to prove its value, and we feel satisfied it will turn out more profitable to us, than sheep boiling to New South Wales.

We must not omit the excellent timber we possess for ship-building, and also spars for vessels. We have also woods for every useful purpose.

The gum of this country is stated to be saleable in America, at £100 per ton. The profits arising from farming will be very great, and money invested in land will yield a good return.

Produce of every description will soon form a valuable export.

Sheep and cattle farming are now being entered into with great spirit. Thousands of sheep and hundreds of cattle are now owned by the Port Nicholson settlers, and New Zealand Wool is already beginning to attract attention.

With all the above articles, and many others which doubtless we have omitted, and others we may naturally expect to discover, who can doubt the rapid progress we shall make when properly governed and cared for. Let false philanthropy be kicked to the dogs, and its supporters thrown overboard, and we cannot fail to prosper.