uncalled for. If we have to fight them it will be our own fault. They are also accused of being mercenary - and why should they not be? What of our own countrymen, are they moved by any other than mercenary motives, and can we expect the half civilised Maori to abrogate all national sympathy, fight for us from disinterested motives and be above the influence of the ''immortal dollar'' - the idea to me seems quite absurd. Much also has been said about the Arawa and their intractability in the field - I do admit that they are troublesome but I also know that they can be managed - I make bold to say that two campaigns under Col. Whitmore would change them from active friends into passive enemies, a more injudicious man (I speak from my own knowledge) to place over natives could not be found in the Colony. A man who cannot command himself is not a fit person to command others. To render the services of the Arawa more efficient it strikes me as the best plan to enroll them as regular militia. Four companies or Divisions of 70 men (rank and file) could easily be made up - to be officered by Europeans as they will not work under their own officers (I speak of the Arawa) the officers (European) would