NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1946, 20 May 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Tbibsbaph.] WELLINGTON, May 19. The plans of the Government regarding the Native difficulty on the West Coast are rapidly developing to completion. The south constabulary camp, that on the Opunake and Waingongoro side, is to bo advanced tomorrow from the present side near Umuroa to a place called Witirca, about four miles ahead of the old camp. On Tuesday next the northern camp, comprising the Btony River division of. the constabulary, will make a similar advance southwards to a place known as Ikaroa, about half-amile from the Parihaka main road, and nearly opposite Parihaka itself. The two camps will then be only separated by an interval of about six miles, and the survey lines will at onoe be run through past Parihaka so as to complete the practical meeting of the two sections of road. The next shitting of camps will bring the two together and unite the northern and southern divisions of the Constabulary. This is expected to be brought about in a fortnight, and so if the weather oontinues favorable the survey lities from the two ends may join in the middle within that period. Direotly the junction of parties is accomplished, the sectional surveys will be pushed on with the utmost vigor, and the laid thrown open to Bale for bona fide settlement with all possible speed, riome very fine land will be opened up at an early date. The Government are determined to presß on the settlement of the land, in order that the enormous expense of the standing army may be dispensed with as soon bb is safe and practicable. The first land offered for sale will be on the Waimate Plains proper, but I hear there is a probability that the strip along the coast directly westward of Parihaka and the proposed reserves may also be sold to suitable settlers. I understand also that the Natives will not be put in absolute possession of tho reserves proposed to be made until their acquiescence in the Government plans is assured, bo aB to guard against any danger of future difficulties. It does not follow that express and verbal acceptance should be insisted on, for taoit acquiescence, according to Maori custom, will be sufficient for the object sought to be attained. The latest Government tele-

grama report that To Wbiti ordered his . followers not to interfere with the Constabulary, " even if they enter on your land and steal your pigs." This is understood as an allusion to tbe fact that a Constabulary tent was pitched partly on Native ground, but the "pig" reference is not explained. It is stoutly denied that any pigs have been taken from the Maoris at all, excepting those they voluntarily sold or presented. Probably the Pakeha Maoris' kindlyofEeeß may be traced again in this little matter.