Auckland Times. Tuesday, Feb. 20th, 1844.

Auckland Times, Volume 2, Issue 58, 20 February 1844, Page 2

Auckland Times. Tuesday, Feb. 20th, 1844.

The papers of our coterapuraries of Cook’s Straits, since the arrival of the Governor arfiong them, are evidently not of a joyful tendency. They are taken by surprise at His Excellency’s view of the policies of the Colony They nevertheless wait respectfully for that fair opportunity, of a declaration of measures which the congression of the Legislative Council will best afford, It is wise that We should follow their example.

The progress of His Excellency the Governor in the South has been favorable, we believe, to the pacification of the white people. The influences of a Christian feeling which Captain Fitzroy so warmly urges, are evidently easily wrought into effect, even unto the forgiveness of the loss of life most endeared by friendship of relationship—but a statesman has other than private compliances and personal forgetfulness to deal. with. w e have the vast importance of the result of Captain Fitzroy’s present proceedings to look upon in prospective ; and we should remember, that-in every the most minute of his footsteps he leaves a mark for the thoughtful consideration of the afeortglmrir sway of civilization. When Richard of the Lion heart forgave his cowardly and traitorous brother John, for all bis designs upon bis life and crown, he wisned, that it was as easy to forget as t° fori |ve -for be knew then, as we still do ow, that the confidence of gift in the generosity of magnanimous power, is often mistaken by the low and base for a display of weakness. We have found this practically resulting- hitherto upon the footsteps* of the British Government in their progress through this land ; and it is our opinion, that we should not be too confident In that Maori respect for Pakiha power, which day after day our own actions are tending to diminish. A writer In Wellington (A! pha), has the following instructive passage, and we believe every word of it; * I strongly* protest against any impression of tSie native character, leading {o the detriment of the settler, being formed by any individual from a transient visit to any district, be he Governor, Bishop, Priest, or Layimn, The native h a perfect adept a* deception. .No one can make himseif more interesting. 8 Ehtahi torero pai, kotahi korero hind, ( is a common expression with him. To tiro traveller or.the man exalted above his fellows by station he applies the one; iu* other is reserved for the ttgfcrtcjMMe. bust? settler, or Vm. osar of the toys;n having tiailj dealings with bun. ‘‘This will account for the character gives the natives by sons? travellers r newly arrived sott’ets of noble, «euercn«. th.uuiercMed motives; but these appellations are deserved only by a very few. Ihe only redeeming quality of tiie New Zealander is intellect,“

We treat of thjq subject, therefore, only as one cf polity,', not of sentiment. Is it safe that the Government of New Zealand should repose unbounded confidence upon the good faith of the native ?' Is it not wise to consider how far the,past experience of a vacillating policy has encouraged the natives to aggression and insult ? We desire not to took to the past, except for ins.-ruc-tion, we think only of the future. We leave the consideration of revenge to iim who has said, that, retribution belongs to ktmselo alone ; but are the heathen ikelv to follow this example. Captain Htzroy did soy, in a most

earnest and manly way, that he would value the expression of public Opinion through an independent press, as o e of the most effectual means of assisting tin executive counsels. We tell him, therefore, we believe we speak no other thail the language;.of the united Colony when we say, that the sensitive feeling prevailing in favour of Maori protection, however efiaste in its origin, 1?. carried to a morbid excess. Look at this extract from His Excellency's speech at Nelson, (in our fourth page) -

** In answer. to your inquiry respecting the posssitioq of the natives of New Zealand, I l.ave-t. inforirn you, that they are British snt.jecis, and a.e entitled to all the consideration and protection due to subjects of the Queen of Great Butam, but dial they are rot in every respect amenable l© the laws of EngGnd. “The majority of the native population „f New Zealand are' a* yeft ignorant ol ourjeuisiativ-.-Code O would be oppressive, unjust and mi. Christian to exact a rigorous obedience to unknown taws.

By sloW degrees the inU.ucnee nf civilisation attendant on.good example, and dio getter*} propagation or Christianity, united' to the giadtiaiiy increasing appheabon of our laws, will work lire desired effect, and bring- the whole poptUatbo nuder sufficient cor. roi ’ i”

What is meant hero by the reservation--" They are not in every respect amenable to the laws of England the benefits of which they are, nevertheless, fully entitled to. enjoy? We could fully understand the argument if applied to individual delinquency, but it is past our comprehension when it is attempted to be made fit to a question of national or multitudinous right. We can easily comprehend those feelings of compassion which might spare the individual errors even of a Maketu, committed under the blindness of superstition and ignorance; but we have no sympathy with that policy, which would preach to. a powerful and comprehending people, that we will withhold punishment from an infraction of our law, as long as they may choose not to he cognizant of it. The question is simply tHs, is the Law of ENGLAND, or the Native varying from tribe to tribe,- for they' have fi<> acßi .owledgeiJ inonareiiy, no recognized law—is the one or the other to become predominant ? It is impossible to preach British authority into its proper position, while we make it practically submissive to the habits and customs of native ferocity - the question must not be played for, it must be assumed. Every possible argument of Christian and humane feeling points out the necessity of derision in the matter, la it to be settled by an appeal to arms ? - by no means ! —there is no occasion for such a measure, except such occasion should nrise from the absolute irritation and aggression created by the want of decision we display.