The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-24 00:00:00

NEW ZEALAND)S REPLY TO EAUL GRANVILLE.

The last mail from New Zealand brings the reply
to Lord Granville's famous despatch respecting the
removal of the 18th Regiment. Mr. Gisborne, the
Colonial Secretary, writes it, and expresses the
great regret of the Ministers on learn-
ing Lord Granville's decision. Had he awaited
the arrival of the mail from the colony,
he would have learned that the Colonial Legislature
had pledged itself to contribute to the support of the
regiment, and bad appointed commissioners to pro-
ceed to England to negotiate the matter. The Colo-
nial Ministers hope that when the Imperial
Government are in full possession of those facts,
they will reconsider the subject. The colony, says
Mr. Gisborne, has not stinted its blood or its treasure
initsefforts to suppress the rebellion, and all that it
asks is the temporary continuance of the existing
Imperial moral support, for which it is willing to pay.
" Nowhere more than in New Zealand does there
exist a stronger feeling of loyalty to the Crown,
and of devotion to her Majesty, or a higher value
attached to its position as an integral part of the
empire ; and Ministers feel assured that through-
out the colony there will arise a universal feeling of
regret that the tone and purport of Earl Granville's
dispatch (written at a time when he must have known
the colony to be in the greatest distress) are scarcely
susceptible of any other explanation than a desire to
abandon this country, and to sever its connection
with the empire."
As for the confiscation of native lands of which Lord
Granville complains, the Imperial Government shares
the responsibility. The Colonial Government is at a
loss to understand on what grounds Lord Granville ad-
vises " large concessions " to rebels in arms.
The premature publication of.
hed Lord Granville's dis-
patch is the last point mentned.. It was written
on the 7th of October, publisr in the Times on
the 12th, and the substance telegraphed via Galle,
and known throughout New Zealand ten days
before the dispatch itself reached the Governor.
In conclusion the Ministers claim that the colony
should be practically recognised as anintegral por-
tion of the empire, and not thrust out beyond its
pale. They ask England for no pecuniary
sacrifice,
but they appeal to the eternal principles of justice,
which are as much the duty of the strong as the
heritage of the weak.
THE STATE OF IRELAND.
A Dublin correspondent has received in. forma-
tion which, he thinks, throws some light on
the continued agitation in Ireland. in Mayo
the people are impressed with the belief that
the Americans have a deliberate plan to keep the
country in a ferment, in order to bring about an
ultimate rising, when they will seize theisland, and,
filling its harbours with their fleet, dictate terms to
England. 44 This idea, absurd as it is, is just of
the kind to take fast hold of the Fenianisea pea-
sant's mind, and to stir him up to such deeds, acts of
daring, and of mischief as he has been accustomed
to consider his proper mode of warfare against Eng-
land." The difficulty in the way of extensively ap-
plying this explanation is that Mayo is but one
county of Ireland, whereas riot, violence,
and defiance of law are shewu through-
out the country. The well-to-do farmers and
shopkeepers, says the writer, do not sympathise with
this feeling) but terrorism compels them to simulate
approval.