THE Wellington Independent. "Nothhg extenuate; Nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY MORNING, 2nd JUNE. THE NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1876, 2 June 1863, Page 2

THE Wellington Independent. "Nothhg extenuate; Nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY MORNING, 2nd JUNE. THE NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

When Sir George Grey told the deputation] of Tnranaki settlers; who in touching and simple, vet firm language, narrated the sad story of their wrongs, " that he thought they were entitled to full compensation for their losses, because Taranaki ban been deliberately chosen by the Government as the field on which certain questions should be tried, which it was deemed necessary to the we! lare of the colony to have tried ; and it was not fair that they should be treated like chessmen, to be thrown away when not wanted," he expressed in brief the precise position of that unfortunate settlement. Taranuki is the political chess-board of New Zealand, and its unfortunate settlers now, as they have always hitherto been, are played wilh as the exigencies of the game require.

The recent political intelligence from the North, emphatically illustrates this. We do not here refer to the military aspect of the case, because from every quarter we learn that the mn:ust satisfaction is felt and expressed at the manner in which General Cameron has hitherto acted. The imbecility of commanding officers during the last war is not emulated now ; their tactics are set aside, the "golden" rule is no longer to avoid the enemy ; but in place thereof we hear of light skirmishing parties being sent out., so arranged that one may fall back on the other for support; of ambuscades laid by our gallant 57th, and of the first instalment of a nghteoas retribution being visited on the Southern tribes who hare been concerned in the late deed of blood. All this has been done too without loss on our side, and it speaks wel' ,

for the pluck and ability of the present commander, that already matters are so far advanced, as to make a decisive movement feasible. The very latest advices show that such a movement was contemplated, which appareutly only the inclemency of jhe weather prevented being carried out. Our own Correspoiident's letter breaks off at a most critical lime, aud it is not unlikely the next mail may bring intelligence of a character which shall thrill throughout the length and breadth of tbe Colony, If the question rested alone, on the simple I issue of punishing the murderers, and vindicating the Queen's law, as regards not only them but their aiders' aud abettors also ; with Geneial Cameron as our plenipotentiary, we might hope, after a trying ordeal, for a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. But, uufortuuately, the political features of the case present such an aspect as to fill the mind with gloomy forebodings in looking to the future. We do uot know at the present moment what tbe ministry are doing, or even how far they are responsible for what has already been done. The case of Waitara affords an illustration of this. It was abandoned by proclamation on the llth May, " beaause circumstances connected with its purchase, previously unknown to the Government, have since transpired, .which renderitadvisablethatthepurchase should not be proceeded with," but though, we have an inkling of the reasons which actuated this step, and whiuh reasons we have every reason to hope will fully justify it, yet no official intimation has been given to the public, of what is the real state of the case. We may be told that the Ministry are irresponsible, and have nothing to do with the transaction, but in the light of recent events, it would be difficult to maintain such an assertion. It they are irresponsible, how is it that two leading members of the Cabinet are taking such au active share in dealing with Native affairs. Tue name of Mr Alfred Domett is to be found at the bottom of this very proclamation, and that of Mr Dillon Bell isattached toother mani festoes, so that practical men will scarcely tiling they act in those respects, merely as the instruments of Sir George Grey. To all intents and purposes the people of this colony, have as little power at this important crisis, in influencing the action taken either by Governor or Ministry, as if fthey lived under a pure and absolute despotism. Very naturally, there is a growing feeling of impatience evinced by the Colonists at this juncture. They waut to have some voice in the management of their own affairs, they want the books kept open for inspection, to see bow the business of Government is conducted ; and as they know that the Domett Ministry went into office, as a species of make shift to await the trial of a great experiment, they think it's mission has been fulfilled. This feeling is developed in the cry which has arisen from tbe South, to cull together tbe General Assembly, and if we mistake uot, it will gainer strength I MI its object has been attained. Let us just glance again atTaranaki, and see how matters stand there. A sum of money was voted by the General Assembly for the reinstatement of the Province, and after months of delay, ihe Colonial Secretary at length promised that it should be paid immediately. This was on March 21st, and now though two months more hare elapsed, we find that the Taranaki I people have been obliged to press the Ministry once more to fulfil their pledge. A public meeting has been held, and a deputation recently waited on Mr Domett aud Mr Dillon Bell, on the subject, wheu they were informed that since tbe money was promised circumstances had changed, and they could uot see their way to paying it, but would write and consult their colleagues in Auckland. So says the Herald, and if this be true, what must the unfortunate settlers think of such inconsistency. It is but cold to tell men who hare to support themselves and families, on the paltry dole of 2s 6d a day, when they demand what they are fairly entitled to, '' that circum- ; stances have changed." Verily, with many of those unfortunate people circumstances are changed indeed ! It is true the object that this money was intended to serve— the reinstatement of the people on their lands — is rendered for the present impracticable, but it is at least necessary something should be done for them while thestmggleis pending, and they may fairlj demand from the Ministry that immediate action in that direction should be taken.