The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-10 00:00:00

MARCH 10, 1855.

223

decision of the Colonial Secretary; the Secre-
tary, equally perplexed, sent out Sir CHARLES
HOTUAM with large powers, and, as we believe,
with indecisive instructions. Sir CHARLES,
acting to the best of his judgment, proposed a
compromise, which, while avoiding the appear-
ance of dictation by the colonists, really con-
ceded the points in dispute. As a compromise, it
might have been accepted, and tho controversy
would, probably, have terminated here but for
an unlucky attempt on the part of the home
authorities to mask their retreat under the
semblance of a triumph. This came in shape
of a proposition to set free all parsons actually
in custody for breach of the law originally
enacted, and which the Colonial-office, though
disapproving, had never formally disallowed.
Herein a condemnation of that law seemed to
be implied : the colonists took fire ; public
meetings were held ; resolutions passed, ex-
pressive of the strongest feelings of indigna-
tion ; and ominous threats of separation have
been uttered by more than one speaker. The
military force at the disposal of Government
is probably sufficient to prevent an actual
revolt, or to put it down if attempted ; but it
would be vain to deny that public sympathy
among all classes of Australians goes with the
malcontents, and that for this feeling there is
ample justification. Their language and their
threats may have put them in the wrong, but
they are acting throughout on the defensive—
protecting public order and social morality
against au irruption of felons which threatens
to swamp both. Even the minor consideration
of expense in maintaining an additional police
force is not unimportant ; already the expen-
diture of the colony enormously exceeds its
income ; wages of labour are almost fabulously
high ; in a word, the danger is double—of
demoralisation and of bankruptcy.
We shall hope for the best; but if lasting
mischief follows, the fault will lie, not with
the Australians, but with their rulers in
Downing-street. Perhaps, when Lord Jowl
has settled the affairs of Europe at Vienna,
and Sir ROBERT PEEL has made up his mind
whether to accept or refuse his proffered
Under-Secretaryship, one or other of them
may think the Australian empire worth look-
ing after. Or is Sir GEOROK GREY too busy
bringing up Lord PALIdERSTON'S Home-office
arrears to fulfil his promise of giving an hour
or so weekly to colonial concerns ?

PLAYING AT WAR.
Lord GRANVILLE repeated the other night, in
the House of Lords, the dictum previously
propounded by Mr. CARDWELL in the House
of Commons regarding the operation of our
new laws of maritime war. They inflict, ac-
cording to both of these authorities, the maxi-
mum of injury upon our enemy, with the
minimum of injury upon ourselves. Our rulers
are proud of their new policy, and mean to
stand by it. They have solved, with perfect
success in their own estimation, a problem
which has perplexed mankind for centuries,
viz., how to carry on, at one and the same time,
both war and commerce. But their labours,
unfortunately, are still unappreciated by a
large portion, we believe by a largo majority,
of the enlightened public. From the very
first we opposed the unprecedented conces-
sions made in the present war to the enemy's
commerce. We regarded, and still regard
, as a gigantic blunder ; and this opinion
them
is rapidly gaining ground, even among those
who were disposed at the commencement of
the war to look with favour upon the experi-
ment. On the other hand, it appears that a
certain class of politicians consider that our
Ministers have erred, not in conceding too
much, but in conceding too little, to the money-
much,
spirit of the age. Of this opinion is
Mr. J. L. UICARDO, M.P. That gentleman has
written a pamphlet, the object of which is. to
show that war and commerce may be carried
on in perfect harmony with each other, and
that mankind have been, from time immemo-
rial, in the wrong, in supposing that two hos-
tile nations cannot fight and trade at the same
time, and that an exchange of blows is incom-
patible with a free exchange of bullion and