The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-07 00:00:00

' sensitive place, and generating throughout New
Zealand much annoyance, the assistance was
given, and a large British force, at an enormous
expenditure, directed to the colony. The cue from
the debates and the newspaper leaders was taken
up by the Imperial commanders, and the value
of the force when on the scene of operations
neutralised.' The stricken and suffering colony
had first to bear the vituperation of the
most powerful organs of opinion in England,
and then to endure the arrogance and assumption
of the Imperial officers in the command of a force
which was soon found to be practically ill-adapted
for the work required. The war lingered, pro-
ducing scenes of disaster and mutual recrimina-
tion. It wore out to an end, leaving in the minds
of the colonists the fixed idea that they who would
continue free must themselves strike the blow. The
manner in which England conceded the assistance
implored was to the last degrQe ungracious, and
thus she procured for herself no thanks from the
colonists, at the same time that she expended an
enormous sum. The dispute between the colony
and the mother country has come to an end by the
withdrawal of nearly all the troops, and the prac-
tical independence of the province, probably the
richest in:the world. In Canada, the same " little
game" is being played. The difference between the
Canadian and the New Zealand affair is that the
former is purely imperial, the latter was purely a
colonial concern. Canada is threatened along all her
frontier, because she is a province of the QUEEN'S
dominions. The arguments, therefore, which so
disgusted New Zealand cannot be brought to bear
against Canada. Still every means seems to be
employed to alienate the loyalty of the North Ame-
rican Provinces. An article appeared in a military
contemporary which has been circulated far and
wide throughout these dependencies, and has given
rise to a feeling of the greatest indignation. If
England does not intend to act loyally towards
the province threatened by a body of filibusters,
whose undying enmity is directed against herself,
the weight of which Canada has to bear solely from
her proximity to the abode of those conspirators,
the nation should openly avow it, and leave the
inhabitants of the province to take such measures for
the protection of their own interests as may seem
to them best. There is not the slightest necessity
for traducing the brave and devoted men who have
throughout been distinguished by a strong attach-
ment to the mother country. It would be better
for Canada to become at once independent, or to be
enrolled among the States of the Union, than to
hang on in this precarious and uncertain position.
To be—or not to be—is the question. If the
province is to be an integral portion of the British
Empire, the whole weight of the British power
should be put forth in defence of the frontiers. If
not to be—the few troops should be withdrawn,
and the paltry expenditure on fortifications should
cease. Then the colony, acting under the guidance
of her own statesmen, influenced by public feeling,
would take the measures which to her seem best
adapted to meet the emergency. As the matter
now stands the enemies of law and order are en-
couraged in their attacks, and the provincials dis-
couraged in their defensive measures by the un-
certainty of the course to be taken by the empire.
It is thus that nations drift into war, and many
cases could be recited where great calamities would
have been averted by firm and decided action.—
Anglo-American ,Times.