The Evening Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2094, 21 January 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1870.

Tir.', f-nd of the tragedy is approaching, and Tj: Kooti, the hero, is drawing lias mantle round him preparatory to submitting to circumstances he cannot control. The telegraphic news from the North tends to this conclusion, although its revelations are somewhat disjointed and enigmatical. We need not speculate much upon the present phase of the Native difficulty. Firmness, determination, and self-help have done within a few months what years of trembling vacillation failed to effect; and although we cannot say yet that the end has come, and although, in the turn of events, there is a remote possibility of further trouble, there is little chance of any renewal of the war on an extensive scale. The last struggle, although begun in imprudent unpreparedness, and marked in the first instance by signal incompetence on the part of the Stafford Government has not been without its effect on the Native mind. They watched and waited. Blunders there were and plenty of croaking on the part of the Colonists. But though left to themselves by the Imperial troops, occasionally checked and sometimes suffering reverses that under other circumstances would have led to more extended risings, civilised man has asserted his superiority over his savage enemies. He has shown that his resources and adaptation of means to ends are developed the more, the longer they are needed, and that while the Native resources have been gradually wasted, the Colonists have bpen advancing in preparedness and efficiency. Tf, Kooti and his followers, if we may trust the Northern telegrams, are forsaken by all—outcasts on whom a mark is set. A few months ago, he was the terror of white men and friendly tribes. Now he cannot find a resting place. It is not difficult to comprehend why Mr Branigan and the Superintendent of Auckland objected to Mr Firth’s meddling. There was too much go-betweenism in times past and much of the trouble of dealing with the Natives has been caused by it. We can understand and respect that kindliness of heart that leads men like Mr Firth to interpose between the Government and the Natives; but all experience with savage or even semi-civilised tribes justifies the conclusion, that that is not the way to deal with them. Their thoughts are not our thoughts. In negociating with men whose civilisation is co-equal with our own, who acknowledge the same standard of law and morals, and who can discern and appreciate the motives that induce a specified course of conduct, there is not so much danger. But the slightest exhibition of kindness, or desire for peace, towards a savage, is construed into timidity. While therefore it is gratifying to find, through Mr Firth, that Te Kooti is anxious to make terms, we think Mr Branigan and the Government are right not to temporise. Were it only the savage leader that had to be considered, the concession might have been made ; but there are others who have to learn submission as well as he. The lesson the Executive have to teach is, their determination to maintain the sovereignty of the Queen. They have to show, that though possessing power to crush opposition, it will be used for the punishment of the turbulent, and for the maintenance of peace. Already, the friendly tribes have learnt to lean upon our aid for protection; and those who have stood aloof, or have been enemies in heart, have been lookers-on. They have seen the downfall of the most renowned rebel leaders, and the advantages that friendly tribes reap through their relations with the Colonists. There is now no concerted Maori action, nor any common end to be gained. Even fanaticism has ceased to exert any great influence upon its votaries. Instead of establishing their boast of freeing the land from the dominion of the whites, their chiefs have been shot down, their bravest forces scattered, and their prophets disgraced through the non-fulfil-ment of their predictions. The savagery that marked their raids has only brought destruction upon them. The vantageground has at length been gained. But there is something more than this to be learned from the present aspect of affairs. It is evident that the Government of the day has hit upon the best method of dealing with the Natives. The Stafford Ministry went the wrong way to work ; they fell into the stupid error of fighting the Maoris on ground chosen by themselves. It was no doubt very dashing to follow a flying enemy Over hill, over dale, Thorough bush, thorough briar, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire, but it was expensive and dangerous. It is the difference between aggressive and defensive warfare. The Will-o’-the-wisp always escaped, and when* with

infinite labor, the .spot where he danced awhile was reached he was oft to some other tempting bog to lure his pursuers to danger or to death. This is icwersed. If the Maori will fight, he must fight on ground chosen by ourselves. Our forces are now organised for the protection of all those who place themselves under our care, and it is for the rebels to seek us if they want to fight it out. Our position now is that oi strength in repose, and the begin to feel it. Ho doubt eaeu his Maori Majesty, though lie may send his mystic bulletins to be unravelled by those who take the trouble to road or listen to them, will bo careful how lie offends a people who have shown they have at length learnt to understand their neighbors. We may be wrong, but wo think from present appearances the ornamental regiment can be well spared, and were it possible to anticipate by telegraph the deprecatory mission of Messrs Featiierstone and Bell, we should recommend that they present a complimentary address to Earl Granville thanking him for sparing us the expense of maintaining an Imperial standing army.