NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2650, 15 August 1871, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The WeUvujton Independent of August 5, in it* summary for England, says : As undertake rs co;npl ia occasionally, like other craftsmen, of dull trade, so journalists have great reason to cry out against the Native Minister for giving them nothing to report under this head. We have no expedition?, no battles, no massacres to chronicle. We do not wish to be nude stood as implying that all hostilities are for ever at an end, that there are no sparks re dy on certain contingencies to create a conflagration, and that the interminable land disjmtes will ad be satisfactorily settled by the Native Lands Court, or the award of the Native Minister. We can only say that if the same prudent and cautious policy is pursued, which has been so successful for the last two years, every day is strengthening the chances of a final peace—a peace that will leave no feeling of degradation or injustice behind to rankle ia the breast of the natives and stir them up “to mutiny and rage." Meanwhile all warlike operations have been virtually suspended, and the native policy of the present Ministry ha-, been so far successful. The », stem of road making in the North Island, together with the spread of the telegraphic lima, have been working satisfactorily, to which end various parties of natives have been < mp’oyed. The organisati n of the a’med constabulary force has progressed satisfactorily, and although temporarily retarded by the illness of Mr Branigan, is likely to be further advanced, now that the pommand is vested in Lieut. Moule, an officer of long standing in the colonial force. In spite of peace, this body is necessary, and if employed upon road-making would be far more useful. The formation of roads, in all newly settled countries has been the chief civiliscr—bringing the two races into more immediate contact, and enabling an armed party by rapid and easy transit to move where required, and the more easily cope with the natives iu a c nmtry naturally so difficult of access. Distributed throughout the vai ious districts, with proper supervision, and working by contract, the Constabulary, like the Roman legions of old, form the best road-makers, becoming acquainted with the nature and formation of the country, ready for fighting if required, and inured by the toil necessary in road making, for immediate and active service in the field.