The relaxation which takes place in the moral principles of
the House of Commons when it is not asked for money to carry its present principles into effect is quite refreshing to behold. Last session, when we were asked to pay for ten regiments in New Zealand, all the settlers were spoken of as lawless men, who needed bridling and curbing by the Colonial Secretary. Now that Mr. Weld asks for a withdrawal of the English troops, and a complete command over native policy —now that the burden of expense is removed—a great change has come over the House of Commons. In the debate of yesterday week on Mr. A. Mills's motion, Mr. Buxton actually vindicated the humanity of the settlers, though he reiterated his untenable charge that they had passed a law intended to confiscate the land in loyal and disloyal districts alike, and even Lord Robert Cecil only hinted that English settlers were not to be trusted like other Englishmen. The solution of the money question smooths the way to a lenient view of our fellow-countrymen. Mr. W. E. Forster (who can scarcely have read the New Zealand despatches) thanked Mr. Cardwell for sustaining the authority of Sir George Grey, whose ludicrous and discreditable tergiversations in policy have done more than any- thing else to prolong the war. On Thursday came the news that he had turned back again, and accepted the confiscation policy of the new Minister, Mr. Weld, which does not differ in any material respect from the confiscation policy of Mr. Whitaker. But the natives had not been converted by his amiable vacillation of pur- pose, and were threatening war on all sides.
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