The news from New Zealand is depressing enough. By the
latest telegram (dated Sydney, June 19th) it appears that "the rebels have surprised the troops,—four officers and nine privates were killed." This must refer to an expedition of Colonel Whit- more, from the west to the east coast,—organized in three separate columns,—for a grand attack on the force of Te Kooti, and, if possible, for its annihilation. The Government is said to believe that Te Kooti himself is dead. If he be dead, he is of very little im- portance to his followers, for they seem to be as active as ever,— and not only active, but victorious. The tendency of opinion in the colony is unfortunate enough,—it is drifting towards a change of government, a new demand for Imperial troops, and an attempt to pay them by bouds,—a childishly imbecile policy, which will give the colony no control over the army, and leave it a year hence as badly off as ever, with an enormously increased debt. What New Zealand ought to do is to organize a strong army of its own, which it cannot do without pecuniary help. If it can- not get that help in England, it should shake off her hampering authority, and try to get it elsewhere. It would not be amiss to try Prussia. We should be liable for we know not what awful penalties under the Treason-Felony Act in New South Wales for making such a suggestion. But when a great empire begins to weary of its responsibilities, it is probably rather grateful thair otherwise to those who suggest modes of ridding it of its burdens.
