NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2039, 6 September 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

WELLINGTON, Soptember 4. Ministers have not reoeived any information as to the alleged strike amongst the Armed Constabulary, which is disbelieved. The Government received a telegram from the Native Micister to-day conveying intelligence of a fresh Native demonstration opposite Parihaka. Copies of the West Coast Settlement Bill, translated into Maori, wore distributed and proclaimed at Parihaka on Thursdav. Mr Thompson, the Government interpreter, who returned thence yesterday, reports that the Act was read before a large meeting of Natives. The only thing that seemed to excite any great interest was the final clause empowering two years' imprisonment with hard labor for obstructing the Armed Constabulary. On this being road Tohu remarked contemptuously, "That he had not sent his men to bo imprisoned for their own good," implying that he cared little what befel them, bb the end ho was working for was far more important than their individual comfort. He added that the only thing not to be done is for two men to abuse one another, the meaning of which he did not explain. The first fruits of the Settlement Act have, however, been ratber curious. Mr Bryce telegraphs to-day that early this morning no fewer than eighty-three Natives came down from Parihaka and began fencing. This number comprised fifty able bodied young men, twenty-threa, boja, and one old man. Notwithstanding a, warning they persisted in fencing across the road, and Mr Bryce then ordered the arrest of the whole number. This was promptly carried into effect, no violence being used and ro Bcufllea taking place, as was the case two or thieo days ago. On that occasion, however, the Maoris were exceedingly violent and insolent, consequently, although no blows wore struck, they were by no me <ns so gently used as before by the constabulary, and in fact were somewhat roughly bandied, receiving some considerable shoves and shakings, and altogether were very disrespectfully treated. It seems that they complained to Tohu of this usage, and ho cautioned them to behave more quietly next time. So to-day they woro as peaceful as lambs, and submitted with the utmost readiness to be taken into custody. This being effected, Mr Bryca ordered the old Maori and twenty-two bovs to be set at liberty and turned back to Parihaka, but the fifty-nine young men will be sent to New Plymouth, and being the first prisoners. under the West Coast Settlement Act, will be tried in due course under the provisions of that Aot. One of the prisoners is Mukua, a brother of Titokowaru.