The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 3. 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3158, 3 April 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 3. 1873.

The narrative of the visit of the Luna to Kawhia Bay, received by telegraph last evening, is deeply interesting, socially and politically. Our readers will find the Bay laid down on the map in about 38deg. of latitude, on the West Coast of the North Island, about half-way between Manukau Harbor and New Plymouth. It is the district of the Native King, in which he and the tribes that acknowledge him have shut themselves up, resolved to have no intercourse with the subjects of Queen Victoria. But protectionist practices work quite as uncomfortably with Maoris as amongst civilised exclusionists. Isolation is unnatural to man, and can never be adopted without great sacrifice, socially and morally. From Diogenes downward, ascetism not only looks unamiable but recoils upon those who practise it, and renders them the chief sufferers. Not more surely does a falling stone obey the law of gravitation, than, sooner or later, a greater or less degree of poverty results from isolation, whether in the form ol protective duties or in the still piore

ohjeotional phase of absolute withdrawal from intercourse with other races. The conduct of the Natives on the occasion of the accidental visit of the Luna to Kawhia harbor was marked by an evident endeavor to reconcile two opposite feelings : they wished to maintain the dignity of their self-isolation, and to make such overtures as might lead to renewed intercourse with the colonists. They appear to have thought it necessary to explain that no trading vessel would have been allowed to anchor and remain there ; but as the Luna was in the service of the Government, and not bent on interdicted commercial intercourse, the visit was welcome. It was well that Mr M'Lean was on board, to take advantage of this accidental meeting. No set visit, requiring a host of preliminary negotiations prescribing the exact degree of respectful etiquette that Maori should pay to White, and White to Maori, could have effected half so much towards recoiled iation, as th e welcome given to th ech iefs on board the Luna. There was no time for idle ceremonies. The old rebel chief welcomed Mr M‘Lean to the forbidden ground, recalled the past to memory,'and paid a high testimony to the respect with which the Native Minister is regarded throughout Maoridom, A slight suspicion may not'unreasonably be entertained that, with the characteristic cunning of savages, the parade of complete isolation was adopted, although the splendid harbor has most likely been visited by many a smuggler, who has reaped a harvest through having managed to secure a monopoly of their trade. Such demonstrations are, however, very harmless, and are very cheaply indulged. The sight of Mr M‘Lean, at any rate, called up the remembrance of a time when intercourse was unrestricted, and suggested the odd invitation to him to return and complete his work, “When Mr first visited Kawhia it was open to him ; on that accidental visit, “it was open to him and the Government vesselbut on his third visit, “ it should be open to all vessels.” The cordiality with which the actingGovernor and members of the Executive were received by all the Native chiefs, is indicative of their preparedness for renewed friendly relations with tie colonists. Peace has conquered more surely than war. Mr Stafford’s “ wretched past” seems likely to be well nigh wiped out of remembrance; and it is fervently to be hoped that nothing will remain of it but the interest of the debt the Colony lias to pay for the abortive effort “to conquer a peace.” Although it is notin the nature of things that tire genial intercourse on board the Luna should escape adverse criticism, it is difficult for the spirit of detraction to find occasion for condemnation or sneer. The latest manufacture of malevolence was condemnation of Sir George Bowen for not visiting the Maori King, and making it up with him. But little knowledge of the relationship of the Governor with the Colony was required to perceive the absurdity of that suggestion. It needs no comment. The Native policy of the present Administration has been sneered at as a “ sugar and blanket” system—of course the meaning of which is, that the Maoris have been bribed into a peace. In the present instance, should the proceedings at Kawhia Bay lead to a complete reconciliation with the King Natives, what will be said 1 We fancy we hear Mr Stafford, or his henchman, Mr Reid, addressing the House, and saying, “ Such a reconciliation should not have been left to accident. It was evident that the Maoris were only waiting for overtures to be made to them, in order to break down the hedge they themselves had set up.” It does not matter that such an argument condemns the expressed determination to conquer a peace which accompanied those extraordinary preparations for war, luckily rendered unnecessary by the accession to power of the Fox Ministry. Their firm, persistent, and prudent management has done more in the interests of the human race than even the most intrepid warriors have done for us, and the example of New Zealand, in conquering through peace, will form a standard which will be referred to with admiration by all civilised nations in all time.