THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1704, 6 August 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1879.

The Hon. Mr. Waterhouse’s late speech in the Legislative Council contains a marvellously clear resume of tho policy of tho Government with respect to Native affairs. The disastrous nature of that policy has heon for only too long apparent, hut, to those who live in the South Island at all events, Native matters are somewhat of a sealed hook and tho Native office a mystery, so that it may be well to briefly review tho question, as placed before tho country by Mr. Waterhouse. Tho speaker, in his opening remarks on the Native question, touched on the difference that exists between our existing relations with the Maori race and those which obtained when tho present Ministry came into office somewhat less than two years ago. At that time they were gradually becoming better and better, until tho opinion had become prevalent that such a thing as a Native war would never again be hoard of. Now, however, our relations with tho race are in such a state that, according to the Ministers themselves, war appears imminent. Now what is tho reason of this lamentable change P Nothing more or less than the thorough incompetency of tho Ministry, and tho loss by the Natives of all respect of, and trust in, the Native Office. Mr. Waterhouse proceeded first of all to take tho instance of tho Waimate Plains fiasco; indeed, that question naturally claimed precedence because tho misdeeds of tho Native Office wore more apparent in that instance than in any other. Tho circumstances and conditions under* which these plains wore confiscated were marked and peculiar. In tho first place, it was provided that no land within tho district belonging to any loyal Native, either by custom or Crown grant, would ho taken, except so much as might bo necessary for the absolute security of the country, compensation being given for tho land so taken; and in the second place, that all rebel inhabitants of tho district who, within a reasonable time, should submit, would receive a sufficient quantity of land under grant from tho Crown. Now, hero wore two distinct promises made by proclamation under the hand of Sir George Grey himself, who was then Premier. Ministries, previous to the present, had always borne in mind these circumstances. In 1872, tho then Native Minister directly stated, as i

appears by the Blue Books, that “ the lands north of the Waingongoro, as far as Stony river, although nominally confiscated, are, with the exception of 1400 acres at Opunake, quite unavailable for settlement until arrangements are made with the Natives for lauds sufficient for their requirements.” During the same year there was a groat desire to make roads through this tract of territory, but it was admitted that no roads could bo made without the consent of the Natives, thus proving the reality of the right conceded to the Maoris. The same consent had to bo gained before coach and telegraphic communications could bo established through the block. Moreover, the claims of some of the loyal Natives wore extensive. To Wliiti himself, who was not in arms against us at the time the block was confiscated in 18G5, and Wi Kingi, another leading chief, who had never been at war with us at all, hold extensive claims under our promises. And yot how do the present Government act ? Without trying to como to any understanding at all with the Natives, they send surveyors upon the laud and actually drive in pegs in their plantations. These surveyors wore not sent to survey that portion of the land to which the Government might have some claim, but tho whole of tho land, without making one single Native rosorvo. Tho consequence of this obliviousnoss to all former promises was that tho Natives, after discussing tho matter at Parihaka, pulled up tho pegs as a protest against tho action of tho Government. And then what did the Government do? With a view of intimidating tho Natives, they advertised the land for sale, not only in this colony but in other colonies. Tho Maoris laughed at this fanfaronade, and tho Government; seeing that their shot had taken no effect - drew in their horns and tho advertisements at tho same time. Then Mr Sheehan, without being invited, proceeds to Parihaka with a view of bettering matters, is well snubbed and insulted and returns ignominionsly to Wellington Another negotiator is then sent with tin same results. Up to this time thi

Natives, Mr Wat orliouso holds, wore justified in their proceedings. Certain promises had Tbeon made them, they had acquired certain legal rights hy proclamation, and they were acting justifiably in removing the surveyors’ pegs when these rights wore threatened. Of their subsequent action in entering upon land over which the Native title had been extinguished the same cannot, of course, be said, although they had this justification —that, two or three years before, the Native Minister had advised them to take possession of land in Napier which the Conrt had adjudged not to belong to them, and of which land they still hold possession. Wo now enter upon the second period of the present Native crisis. During the first the Government had been altogether in the wrong; it had blustered, had ignored all obligations, had swallowed the leek to any extent, and had been snubbed and insulted by the Natives. Now, by the action of the latter, the Government at last finds itself with right on its side. The Natives had illegally entered on land over which they had no claim whatsoever. But what does this blustering Government now do ? It is absolutely paralysed, it refuses to act in the matter at all, and it is only after the settlers have, at —nnannnl vlctlr +0 VnTl tI)A IAW info pluck up courage to do as they had done. Such has been the history of the present crisis, at least as far as regards the west coast of the North Island. The Government have not boon in any way hampered by the actions of former Ministries, as they falsely allege. The claim of the Natives on certain portions of the Waimato plains had always previously been acknowledged, it was a perfoctly legal claim, and no Native Minister had ever attempted to ignore it. The matter was one to be decided by mutual arrangement, and in an amicable manner. The present Ministry, however, to make political capital attempt to seize on the whole block, and being met by resistance, utterly “ cave in.” The blusterer shows himself to bo cowardly and incompetent. With all the wish to commit a fraud, he has not the nerve. And when, at last, he does find himself in the right, the feeling that ho has the law on his side does not appear to strengthen his arm, for there is still the same lack of energy and total want of any of those qualities that help to make an administrator. Into jthe remainder of Mr. Waterhouse’s charges against the Native office wo have no time to enter. On the Thames, in the Napier district, even in this island, the Natives are defying the Government, and the latter allow them to do so. By means of false representations the Native Minister last session passed the Waikato Land Act—a measure that has much complicated affairs, and finally the Ministry have brought together the so-called Maori Parliament, an institution which has had an effect very contrary to that intended. The indictment so clearly brought forward by Mr. Waterhouse is a very heavy one. It is well supported by facts and documents. It brands the Native policy of the present Ministry as cowardly and disastrous.