THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, June 24, 1862. THE COMING ASSEMBLY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1734, 24 June 1862, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent. Tuesday, June 24, 1862. THE COMING ASSEMBLY.

The date for the Meeting of the Assembly draws rapidly near, and before this day week it may probably be in session. We say "probably," for as we uuderstand the Governor was absent from Auckland relative to the Kaipara feud when the Wonga left, it may possibly happen that His Excelleucy may be unable to reach Wellington in tima to open the session, on Monday next. By that date, however, nearly all the Members will be in waiting, and as it is contrary to Sir George's habit to keep public business at

a stand still for the want of his presence; we may anticipate that no greul doiuy (if indeed any) will take place.

Ere very long we shall know fully the precise state of the Native question — -its cost and how it is to be borne. It is the fashion for the opposition journals to keep up a constant alarm, relative to the enormous expense 10 which they say the Colony has be en andisbeingputbythepresentNative Policy. The fact is that none of us know auythiug about it. The Governor and his Ministry have had not only to devise the best scheme which circumstances permitted, but they have had to oomraunicate with the Imperial Govern* ment and to some extent await its reply. Meanwhile, because of the reticence which has necessarily existed, some of the Northern aud Southern journals have, for widely different purposes, continually harped upon the one siring ol expense, aiming to induce the conviction that a fabulous amount has already been spent and is continued to be spent, under the head " Native." Now it would by uo means surprise us to learn that the General Government has not overrun the constable,— that it has not expended more than the votes which the last session authorised; or at any rate that it has done so, if at ail, only to an insignificant amount. It would by no .means surprise us to learn that Sir George Grey h&s urgently recommended the Imperial Government to contribute, in some way or other, towards the cost which the Government of the natives involves, and that such recommendation either has been or will be successfully made. The British Government is not unwilling to adopt the recommendations of those in whom it has gi eat confidence, and in none of its Governors can it reasonably be expected (o have' more confidence than in Sir George Grey. The British Government frequently learns by sad experience the advantage of at once spending a few thousands by way 6f preventing an ultimate expenditure of millions. The hearty manner iv which the proposal to again lay down a telegraphic cable across the Atlantic is now received, is the latest illustration in pomt — had a few thousands been so spent a year or two ago, the millions which the Trent imbroglio abstracted from the British Treasury would have lain there still, as a proof of Mr. Gladstone's financial skill. Taught by the experience of Governor Browne's rule, may we not reasonably anticipate that the British Government frill now practically sanction a peaceful policy, by o jntributing to ita being effectively carried out j rather thau deliberately force an opposite course to be taken by saddliug ihe colony with the cost, and thereby ultimately necessitate the expenditure of millions in crushing the rebellion its parsimony may allow to spring up.

The question of expanse to the colony. has, we (eel convinced, been greatly exaggerated. The Northern opposition journals have done so, because of the value which it assumes as a, party cry. : The Southern (or rather we should say ihe Otago^ journals have douo so, because of the handle it gives them for the furtherance of tbeir pet Separation scheme — a haudle which the Daily Fimes is never tired of turniug in praise and glorification thereof. On this question of expense much of the "cast'^ of the session will depend. If the expense up to the present time be less than has been staled — if the Ministry have not exceeded last year's votes; if the Home Government is willing to bear a proportion — then much of the opposition to the Native policy must cease, and the ground for Separation be materially cut away. On this latter subject there will then be only the one great grievance of the Seat of Government. The Lyttelfon Times tells us that it is not improbable that the Government will recommend the formation of three Executive departments to be resident on the other island. This proposition, naked as it reaches us, does not seem very well calculated to satisfy any one, appears somewhat impracticable, and is satisfactory only so far as it leads to the belief that mtuisters are fully alive to the inconvenience of continuing to govern from Auckland. We are glad to find that they ore so, and we press upon their earnest consideration, one of the modes by which that inoonrenience can be easily aud effectually got rid of — a mo<le which the Ly Helton Times thus fitly expresses. — "It is held by many that if the seat of "Government and General Assembly " were changed to Wellington, there V would be no need of any other change, " far less of any fundamental alteration "in the Constituion. It is argued that " with increased communication, the im-

'• provements made in the postal service, " and the establishment of electric tole- " graphs, a Government and Legislature " established in such a central position " would meet all the requirements of the "country. This view will commend it- " self to thosa "who wish to avoid any " serious change in our relations with the " North Island "