The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21. PEACE OR WAR.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 550, 21 October 1881, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21. PEACE OR WAR.

TnE Government have at last determined on taking firm steps with the Natives. Mr Bryce has rejoined the Ministry, and an ultimatum has been issued in a Gazette extraordinary. This proclamation, after narrating the action taken l>y Te Whiti and his adherents, concludes (is follows :-—

The Government now states plainly that these offers will, alter fmrtjeii days l>p withdrawn, unless within that time Te Whiti and his adherents signify their acceptance oE them, and their willingness to submit to tho law of tho Queen, and to bring their claims before the Comniisfioners. If they do so the recommendations of the Commissioners and the promises made will be liberally interpreted find fulfilled. Should the Natives be so infatuated as to disregard this warning, the Government will proceed to mike roads throughout the Purihuka block, and to lay off lands for European occupation inland of the main road. Tlio claims of such Natives under previous promises will then have passed away, and none of them will be allowed to occupy lands in defiance of law. The Queen and the law must besupreme at Paribnka, aa well as elsewhere Te Whiti and hi.* people are now called upon to accept the proposals made to tliem, which would give large and ninp'e reserves to the people. If they do not do this, they alone will be responsible for this passing away from them for ever of the lands which are stil' preferred by the Government, and for tho great evil which must fall on them.

In conclusion the Maoris residing on the West Coast, who wish to live nt peace ■with the Europeans, are earnestly requested to listen to a word of great importance to them. Te Whiti and those who adhere to him have hitherto refused to listen to tho proposals which hare been made by the Government, and at Te Whiti's instance number* of Natives are keeping aloof from the work of peaue. The word of the Government now is— That who wish to accept the offers which have heen made should leave Te Whiti if lih neglects the final opportunity now oilvred to him ; They should go to those lauds which have been set aside for them. 'VII visitor* should return to their homes in order that they miy not l>e involved with those who are working confusion, nnd not Buffer with them. If this warning is neglected, who can distinguish between those who desire peace and those whose work leads to disaster? The innocent anil ilie.gui.hy may suffer together nu<! thin is'iiot •rht*"d».'!'lro of the Government. Tlip flom.'Kj>oin.tawi 'iui tin P.<~" suites tJintMr - fJrrfo vtm: to k-ftv<: 'Vveilnigum for Tnrauaki an γ-inbi' : i*<r yesterday, -and it is to be hoped that hy this means n ]ience«b!e solution of tlu diffi■v.ulty -mny b« uvrivod nt. In -any case the Gnvcnimont .no fully prepared nnd %]wir ilvm he.irrng 'wjll be Tspprovocl of by ah , . Aiiyiiiiu,i, r ':!»'b.'tttT thnn the- un-.ceri-niiaf.y .t»f liie past, rtnd it i« very j.i'obrililf llnxtwiien ttic "iliioris discover tliat t'ipy wawKtfcpiuy l l '.oi(ooi tiny longer tltut they 'will yloKi to the

inevitable