THE MAORI DIFFICULTY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2688, 18 November 1882, Page 3

THE MAORI DIFFICULTY.

[FROM THE “ PRESS.”] WELLINGTON, November 17. Nothing authentic has yet transpired relative to the Ministerial programme touching Northern Native affairs, but it is known that a voluminous telegraphic correspondence in passing between Mr Bryce and his colleagues, and it is pretty certain that his plans are in full swing. According to a telegram received to-day by the Premier Mr Bryce has written a letter to Wahanui, but when the messenger arrived with the letter it was ascertained Wahanui had gone to Mokau to attend the funeral of a sister who recently died there. Accordingly the letter was sent after him by a special Native courier. The contents of the letter are not officially disclosed, but it is rumored Mr Bryce has distinctly warned Wahanui of the disinclination of the Government to permit a longer continuance of the pretence of a divided authority, and of the determination neither to recognise it in any way nor permit it to stand in the way of progress and settlement. Tawhaio would only be recognised as a leading chief and first among the Maori chiefs, but in no sense possessing any authority at all co-ordinate with that of the Queen or Government. An amnesty for past political offences would be granted, and Native rights inland ■would be respected as those of the Europeans, but no longer must murderers be harbored and sheltered, nor will Native customs be allowed to impede the advancement of railways and other works, or the sale of land if Native owners desire to do so. I hear that a very earnest caution is conveyed in the most explicit terms, but of course I can’t vouch for more than the ■general spirit of it. It is generally anticipated that Kingism will now break up finally, being how at the last gasp, as the Natives evidently begin to see what an utter farce it is and how disadvantageous to themselves, while at the same time they like and esteem Tawhiao personally in spite of his unfortunate failing. I fancy the Northern Native difficulty is on the eve of a permanent satisfactory settlement.