The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1638, 21 May 1879, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879.

A practice has grown of late years with Ministers in power for the time being, of trying to procure pabulum for the dishing up of sensational items of Parliamentary intelligence, such as, in the duo course of sessional work, would bo food for the palate of honourable members. When dogs are hungry, and consequently fierce, bones are thrown to them, and, in a way somewhat similar, it has boon the custom of members of the Government to ferret out during the recess the wherewithal to appease the legislative eagerness of Representatives who, fresh from their homes, are anxious to distinguish themselves and to renovate all things that come in their way. The safest card for a Cabinet to play in this annual juncture, is to rake up some embers from the ever smouldering ashes of the interminable and unintelligible Native question, and, having fanned them to something like white heat, place them on the floor of the House for members to scorch their fingers in handling them. The process is a useful one for the Cabinet, procrastinating any hour of reckoning which they may dread, to a period which it always fondly hopes, may be indefinite. Sir Donald McLean, it is well known, was quite an adept at this game of Parliamentary manipulation. During his tenure of office ho invariably succeeded in creating some sensation when the Assembly met by placing on tho table of both Houses, as soon as it opened, pointed results of some interview ho had had during tho x-ecesswith so-callod influential heads of disaffected tribes. Inhis case however, tho zeal which ho invariably displayed in his endeavors to humanise the Native element, yet uncontrolled by the Queen’s prerogative, was seldom if ever disputed. And while it was notorious that his efforts in trying to reconcile the interests of tho two races were systematic and based upon an earnest desire of bringing to a desired end tho troubles which had so long agitated the public mind, Parliament never failed to recognise that Sir Donald was actuated by no party motives in feeling the Native pulse annually previous to the meeting of the House. Sir George Grey this year has once more followed in tho groove of Ministers who, before him, originated what wo may almost call an anti-sessional custom. But with what miserable results every taxpayer in the colony is now but too painfully aware. Both tho Premier and the Native Minister set to work a few weeks ago, bout upon tho laudable object of showing what their much vaunted influence would have in tho groat work of pacification which, for so many years past, had cost tho Treasury so much. Sir George Grey determined that lie should, in person, interview tho Maori “ King.” Of course lie only remembered those

golden days gone by when, as Governor of tbo island, under a semi -despotic rpfjiive, bis sway was more than materially aided by the presence of Imperial troops and by the support of a popular belief among the Natives that whatever he did must eventually ho found to have boon well and justly done. Those were the times of course, when our darkskinned brethren had still faith remaining in .promises mado by Cabinet Ministers and other high-class representatives of the Queen. Some men, however, while the ago slowly but surely advances, remain stationary, and are blind to what goes on around them. After the unfortunate finish of the late negotiations lit Kopua, it can scarcely bo denied, unless it bo by prejudiced people, that Sir George Grey's eyes must now, he opened to the fa'ct that the “ KaVAua ” of to-day is in ho way ho, before whoso despotic, if crafty will, heads of influential tribes wore wont to bow. Previous to the Premier and tbo Native Minister making their way to tho King’s country, emissaries had been quietly sot to work, money freely lavished, and every wheel of (ho complex machinery of the mysterious Native .Department put in motion. But all to no purpose. Sir George Grey Mid Mr. Sheehan “ marched up tho hill and then marched down again,” The sound of trumpets which, figuratively speaking, had heralded their triumphant approach to tho head-quarters of Maori disaffection, soon became subdued, and, finally, became lost in the distance. A more miserable/msbO in tho management of Native affairs was probably never recorded in our colonial annals. Government papers have, of course, endeavoured to do their duty to thoir masters, and, remembering that language was perhaps given to man to disguise bis thoughts, they tried to place upon this eventful blunder of Ministers tints of tbo most roseate hue. White was painted black, and the lily made to blush in a most outrageous manner. Excuses for the snubbing Sir George received from the King and bis immediate advisers wore glibly paraded forth. Tho groat mass of tho public, however, have managed to soo through the flimsy veil thus attempted to be thrown over these unsatisfactory proceedings. Parliament will soon meet, and representatives this year will .have an opportunity which they have not enjoyed for many a long day, of escaping tho annual infliction to which wo have alluded. At least, in tho face of this lamentable failure of the two “ medicine men,” we cannot think that oven Mr. Shoohan will dare to startle the Assembly by tbo presentation of any debatable report of what bo and tho Premier “ did not do” when endeavouring to “humanise” tho Native mind during the early part of the month. Public journals, while this celebrated interview was maturing, wore certainly flooded with telegraphic items, one more unutterably mystic than the other, until their agonised readers felt their souses almost deserting them. Tho jews-harp and guitar performances of Mr. Sheehan, together with his classical vocalisation while whispering soft nothings into the charmed ears of tho hangers-on of the King, have also impressed people as they naturally should. No enthusiasm among tho public has, however, boon raised. On the. contrary, the popular verdict in reference to those late proceedings at Kopua, is that Sir George Grey has placed the colonists in a most ignominious and humiliating position with regard to Tawhiao and the Kiugites.