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The Life and Times of Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

Chapter XLIV. — Proposed Appointment of General Gordon as Military Dictator in New Zealand

page 346

Chapter XLIV.
Proposed Appointment of General Gordon as Military Dictator in New Zealand.

"Whatever day
Makes man a slave, takes half his worth away."

The news of the Maori outbreak, and especially of Te Kooti's massacre at Poverty Bay, alarmed and confounded the English Ministers. It seemed to them that all the expense and loss already suffered in New Zealand had been useless. The Horse Guards shared with the Colonial Office in the depression and anger excited by these unhappy tidings. So many brave men had been sacrificed by divided councils, so much irritation had been felt and such decided friction aroused between the Imperial and Colonial Governments through the exercise of dual authority, that Ministers contemplated the possible propriety of taking steps to suspend the Constitution of the Colony, and appoint a military Dictator with absolute power, in the hope of ending the Maori difficulty forthwith.

Sir Bartle Frere, then and afterwards a valued adviser, strongly pressed this plan upon them. He proposed that a large number of the Indian Police Force should be shipped to New Zealand, that the Constitution should be temporarily suspended, and the ablest man obtainable placed in supreme power. Gordon, now lovingly remembered as "Khartoum Gordon," was, it was understood, to be invested with plenary powers of government. The Dictator was to make laws, to raise taxes, to call out the people as an armed militia, and generally to act as in the possession of despotic authority.

page 347

Frere's suggestions were favourably considered. The propositions were reduced to writing, and the matter submitted to Ministers.

Before anything final was done it was decided to obtain Sir George Grey's advice and, if possible, his assent; it being understood that if that assent was refused, the plan should not be persevered in. It was felt that the step contemplated was of a most serious nature. A military officer in the confidence of Government was sent to acquaint the ex-Governor of New Zealand with the nature of the plan which was under consideration, and to obtain a full expression of his mind upon its merits, and his recommendation that it should be carried out. This gentleman bore with him a printed copy of the proposals. When he and Sir George Grey met, the project was fully explained.

The memorandum to be submitted to the Cabinet was produced and handed to Sir George. With his ample knowledge of the character and feelings of the New Zealand colonists and their high spirit, he saw at once that such a proceeding would be fatal to the good feeling existing between the mother country and the colony; and beyond the immediate effect of such an unprecedented course in the colony more immediately affected, Sir George felt certain that this arbitrary act would do more in one day to sever the colonies from England than all the efforts of the economists could accomplish in twenty years. Their Constitution would be seen to be valueless, and held upon an absolutely uncertain tenure, terminable at the sudden caprice or mistaken judgment of any Minister. From the moment when he fully understood what it was the Government intended his mind was made up.

After discussion, Sir George pointed out that the matter was one of very grave moment, and that he was asked to take upon himself a responsibility which demanded serious consideration. Ultimately he opposed it on every ground. The alarm felt in London was unwarranted. The colonists were well able to deal with the disaffected natives if moderate assistance were afforded by the Imperial authorities. The New Zealanders were a bold and resolute community. They would resent such a sudden and uncalled for interference. Willing as they were to pay taxies levied, and engage in active service ordered by their own Parliament, they would object to both if exacted by a military Dictator. General Gordon's page 348fitness fur the position was freely admitted. If such a task were to be accomplished, no man would he so likely to do it successfully as Gordon. The colonists, however, would lose sight of the personal merits of the man in the contemplation of the gross wrong which they were compelled to suffer.

The results would be disadvantageous to England also. The colony would be irreparably offended. Public money would be spent without the authority of the Colonial Parliament, and New Zealand would not only hold England responsible for any loss which might be suffered by the settlers, but they would possibly refuse to pay the great charges to which the military chest would certainly be subjected. Finally he distinctly refused to sanction a course of conduct which he believed to be a blunder, and which might possibly be called a crime.

Thus the negotiations closed. The Ministerial envoy went away disappointed. In the face of Sir George Grey's strong protest the matter dropped.

The paper containing the propositions for the Cabinet was left with Sir George Grey. It is still in existence.