THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1936, 20 July 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1869.

We are by no means certain that the proposed Bill for the suppression of the rebellion, as it is termed, in the North Island, will produce the effect intended. It is assumed as a matter ot course that all those Maoris now in arms arc to be considered subjects of Her Majesty, and amenable to the laws that render a breach ol allegiance on the part of the Colonists punishable. This is a change of policy that is open to grave question. No previous Act passed with a similar object has been operative, and, in many respects, this seems likely to defeat its professed object. The Maoris in arms have hitherto been treated as enemies entitled to all the privileges of war. Now it is proposed to treat them as if they were Fenians or worse. It is certainly a new light that has broken in upon our Legislature to attempt by an Act of Parliament to reverse all that has hitherto taken place. If the Maoris were entitled to all the usages of war before the passing of the Act, they cannot be the less so should it become law. If prisoners were prisoners of war in times past, their continuance in arms does not deprive them of the right to claim to be so still should they fall into our hands. Neither is it sound reasoning to urge the atrocities that have been committed, as a reason for a change of policy towards them. Granted that they have killed many Colonists and destroyed much property; none can feel more regret than we do that such barbarities were committed. Yet the Colonists are too much in the habit of looking only at one side of the question. If the Maoris have killed tens we have killed hundreds j it they have destroyed a few farms our troops have destroyed villages. Their atrocicities have been characterised as murders ; the retribution inflicted on them by us is termed victory. If our successes have been marked by a soldierlike humanity and chivalry, it arises from the high moral training of our people—to expect it in savages would be absurd. It is idle to seek to gather figs off thistles. It was these considerations that led the Colonial Secretary to condemn the offer of the reward for the body of Tito Kowaru. Unbiassed by the indignation that every Colonist feels at the inhuman barbarities of the savage, Earl Granville considers that the Maoris are entitled to belligerent lights. But now by a fiat of the General Assembly, these hostile relations are to be changed. Courtsmartial are to be established, and it is to be decided by them who shall and who shall not be deemed rebels, and to what punishment they shall be subjected. Unfortunately, if these Courts were ever likely to be useful, they are too late. They should have been established during the aggressive policy of the last Administration. Mrs Glass, in her book, very sensibly prefaces her instructions in pisci-cookery by saying, “ First catch your fish.” She well knew that frying-pans, hit, and a clear fire were so much waste if, when all were prepared, the fish was not there to be operated upon. -Just so with the Maoris. Under the defensive system, it is very likely indeed that there may be outrages—but where will be the prisoners 1 The history of the past tells of many surrendering themselves when reduced to extremity j but it was because they were driven from post to post, from one stronghold to another, until at length, all means of defence failing them, they surrendered to save their lives. This was the consequence of aggressive warfare, and to render operative all the varied and complicated machinery proposed by Mr Fox, a continuance of that system is necessary. But the savage must have parted with his cunning, if, under the change of tactics, he allows himself to be caught. The defensive system implies driving back the

enemy, but not following them into fastnesses. When they draw off their forces and cease to fight, as fur as we can understand the matter, they are to be left alone. The short telegraphic despatches received from the North from time to time, intimate that this withdrawal from the extended frontier has commenced ; that the troops are being concentrated on centres of population, and that the aggressive system, with all its accompanying expenses, is to be abandoned. It may be fairly asked, then, what are the offences for which the existing laws do not provide ? And why all this cumbrous machinery of Courts Martial in addition to the Resident Magistrates and other Courts? Washington Ihvxne tells us that when New York was about to be attacked, the Governor and his Council sat down and smoked their pipes vehemently, brooding over the chances of war. Their cogitations began and ended in smoke. The deliberations of our Council seem in these regards to be very like them, so far as the utility of the proposed measure is concerned. It is a very innocent way of suppressing the Maori war, so far as the Natives themselves are involved. It is like firing a parting shot with blank cartridge, in token of victory, on the withdrawal of our troops from the enemy’s country. Fighting the Maoris by Acts of Parliament seems very like the Pope issuing Bulls against England, and will no doubt prove equally effective. But that is not the only view to be taken of the matter. It is abundantly evident that officialism gives to the General Government a vast amount of patronage, and gains support in the North Island. Military and civil institutions spiead their roots until there is scarcely a family in the Island that is not directly or Indirectly interested in their establishment and continuance. The founding of the Courts-martial adds to the already superabundant legal machinery. If ever they get to work, there will be places to be provided for different officials, salaries for judges, fees for counsel, and emoluments for others interested. Money may not be spent in powder and shot, but it will still be wanted; and that influence will still be secured in the North Island by an existing Government, that has always proved so detrimental to Southern interests.