The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 24, 1889. The Chatham Islands

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 43, 24 September 1889, Page 2

The Fielding Star. TUESDAY, SEPT. 24, 1889. The Chatham Islands

Although the collection of the dog tax may be looked upon as a very simple matter in this part of the colony, yet there are dependencies of New Zealand where it is a very serious affair. Take for instance the Chatham Islands, where the inhabitants, who consist of sheep farmers, policemen, and Moriories, have, or at least the latter portion of them, "struck" agtiinst the payment of this imposition. Of course it is not to be expected that a military government like ours is goiiig to put up with that sort of nonsense, and have conse quently told off a war party, consisting of Permanent Artillery, under the command of Major Gudgeon, to take ship and go over and brin^ the realcitrauts to book — and collect the fees. We believe in upholding the majesty of the law^ but we do not believe in making the job too expensive. It appears a farce sending an army on an expedition which must cost the country hundreds of pounds, to enforce the civil law against a few helpless and ignorant savages. The more sensible plan would have been to have strengthened the hands of Mr Saml. Deighton, the Resident Magistrate there, who is a most excellent officer of large experience in dealing with the natives there, by sending him — quietly— a few more constables to assist him in enforcing his owu decrees. The offending Moriories, who are not remarkable for pluck, would have then accepted the position aud submitted without a murmur. What may happen if a timid people are roused to action from terror, caused by seeing the army sent to subdue them, no man can tell.