THE Wellington Independent. " NOTHING EXTENUATE; OE SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." THURSDAY MORNING, 12ru NOVEMBER. THE MINISTERIAL POLICY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1982, 12 November 1863, Page 4

THE Wellington Independent. " NOTHING EXTENUATE; OE SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." THURSDAY MORNING, 12ru NOVEMBER. THE MINISTERIAL POLICY.

The formation of a strong Coalition Ministry will not have taken our readers by surprise. On the 3rd instant, when alluding to Mr Fox's being entrusted with the formation of a Ministry, we stated it was " probable that a Cabinet embracing some from each of the old Fox • and Stafford parlies, would be formed," and expressed a hope that Mr Fox had " succeeded in establishing a Ministry of such acharacler." We W9re, however, unprepared for Mr Fox's taking a subordinate position; but that he has done so is at least a proof that he is willing to sink all personal, as well as political, considerations at the present juncture of the Colony's history.

I The bioad policy which Mr Fox enunciated on the 3rd November, will meet with universal approval. It is one which for some time past has been strongly advocated by this jourual. Believing the former war to have been waged unjustly — and that it was so, the proclamation abandoning Waitara issued under the advice of such thorough believers in Governor Browne s policy as Messrs Domett aud Bell once were, certainly proves — we strongly protested against its continuance, and on the advent of Governor Grey gave to his peacaable policy all the support in our power. That policy failed. His efforts were rejected. He threw pearls before swine, aud they turned and rent him, No other course was open but that of the sword : and when the sword was at last reluatantly unsheathed, we could not do otherwise | than approve it, and urge that it should not be returned to its scabbard till its work was thoroughly done. There are those who cauuot see consistency in a desire u> extinguish rebellion where re bellion exists, and the prevention of out break by counteracting the suspicion or desperation which false reports eugender when allowed to go unchecked. With such persons it is useless to argue ; but so long as it is possible to prevent outbreak in this or the neighboring province, so long will it still be the duty of all, who have the welfare of this colony at heart, to leave no stone uutumed to secure the advantages which peace secures to us. We have been ofteu twitted because those, who knew not the spirit of which the Fox party were made, thoug h we advocated views which that party could not countenance; but we have long known that the policy, into which Sir George Grey was forced, was one that, being impossible further to stave off could not be otherwise than universally approved. When Mr Fox took office in 1861, he stated distinctly that if peaceable methods were unavailiug / if the natires— rejecting the overtures whioh should be made to them ill all sincerity— rwe re determined to continue

an armed resistance, he would be found as firm to strike as he was ihen ready to conciliate. That he was earnest in his efforts to conciliate, no one will deny, that he will be vigorous in war, no one need to doubt.

WhenDr Featherston moved the postponement gof the debate on the reply, in order to give time to the Southern members to attend, he struck the key note of the coalition which has taken

place. With the scope of the Domett policy he expressed his concurrence, and at once stopped the mouths of his detractors, who both here and there had industriously attempted to revive their silly peace-at-any price fictions. With the scope of that policy Mr Fox would have expressed himself equally agreed, and it was because His Excellency knew that there could be scarcely any difference of opinion between Mr Domett and Mr Fox on the great question of the day — the suppression of the rebellion — that the latter was sent for when the former

resigned. To carry on the war successfully the Ministry need be strong ; need be thoroughly convinced that they will be supported, should occasion require them to take upon themselves responsibilities which otherwise they might hesitate to incur. A coalition ministry seemed to best ensure this support, and all old questions of dispute having previously died out, a strong coalition ministry has been formed accordingly, We should certainly have been better pleased had tb.6re been less of the Auckland element in it, but we believe that this iv great measure arises from the almost impossibility of getting Southern men to break up their family establish, inents or put out their businesses to nurse, on the chance of continuing in office for only a year or so. Few men in the House can afford to do it, and those i few wont do it.

The Governmental policy is contained in Mr Fox's speech which must be read to be fully understood. It makes the suppression of the rebellion the cardinal point to which every thing else must minister. Next to actual war comes confiscation of land in the Waikato and Tarauaki countries and military settlements at suitable positions throughout them, the latter erabracing the whole of the district between Taranaki and Wanganui. For this purpose more men are to be got from Australia and if possible 15,000 from

England, which of course implies that it will be several years under the most favorable circumstances before the settle-

ments are completed. The ;sale of the and is to go towards payment of the loans — two, three, whatever number of millions it may eventually be found requisite to borrow for such a purpose. As settlements necessitate roads, the scheme must hang over our heads an immense debt ; but the longer the delay the greaier will it amount to. The outbreak is henceforth to be treated as rebellion, and as rebels the natives will no longer be possessed of belligerent rights. When the rebellion is extinguisned there is therefore peace as a consequence without any idle formalities, ami to prevent its again being disturbed the rebels are to be required to gitfe up their arms. Ail this sounds well, and ought to be done, and must be done at sometime or other; but how long or short may be the period required none would dare to hazard an opinion — especially with Mere-Mere so recently before him.

The policy of having a Minister resident in the other island, is the rational fruit of the success which attended Mr Mantell's residence in thatcapaoity here, during the last twelve months. The proposition for creating a Lieutenant Governor resideat at Otago or Canterbury, is as yet crude and only put forth for discussion. We shall know more about it shortly ; but at present: it oertainly does not commend itself to our judgment.

The session is officially announced to close, if by any means possible, on- the 24th, so that members may return by the steamer leaving Manakau ou the 25th instant. This seems to promise the introduction of few matters extraneous to those connected with the war.