On Wednesday a deputation from the Aborigines Protection Society, the
South African Committee, and other bodies, was introduced to the Colonial Secretary, Colonel Stanley, by Mr. Fonder, and urged upon him the necessity of heartily support- ing Sir Charles Warren in Bechuanaland, and establishing a British protectorate over Zululand. Mr. Forster urged some of the arguments which we have ourselves enforced elsewhere in favour of supporting Sir Charles Warren, and not allowing the Governor of the Cape to overrule his representations. Colonel Stanley's reply was very hesitating :—" In giving as I do the fullest mend of approval to Sir Charles Warren for the admirable manner in which helms carried out the primary object of his expedition, I think that a common sense of fairness, and certainly, on my own part, a firm conviction obliges me to add the strongest testimony to the impartiality and fairness with which Sir Her- miles Robinson, the High Commissioner, has, in these very troubled times, and in circumstance of great difficulty, discharged the duties of his very arduous position. I know it has been said that there have been differences of opinion, and it has been said, I think rashly, by some that the High Commissioner has in some respects acted in a manner which tended to increase the difficulties of Sir Charles Warren's expedition. When these can be fairly considered, and when the history of this time comes to be written, after feeling has passed away, I think great praise will be given him for having, under difficult circumstances, acted with great discretion and with great care. Even now, I do not know that I can very definitely announce a position or indicate a policy." No; and we fear, from Colonel Stanley's tone, that the difficulty is even more subjective than objective. But this we do say, that with conflicting authorities in South Africa, and hesitating authorities at home, the prospect of a vigorous policy is not hopeful.
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