MONTHLY SUMMARY

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 22, 28 November 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

MONTHLY SUMMARY

(From the Southern Cross, Nov. 5.)Tho last month Las been one of expectation, and we are still in a state of suspense. The natives remain quiet but unsubdued, the colonists patient but not contented, and his Excellency Sir George Grey is supposed to be the only person who knows anything about what is likely to take place. Of course it is only right that some little time should be allowed to the natives in which to consider his Excellency’s ultimatum if, as is generally reported, he has communicated it to them, but the season is progressing and men are anxious to see matters put on a satisfactory footing before the time of year arrives when operations in the field will be impossible. The uncertainty which exists as to the future is beginning to tell badly on men’s minds, and is calculated materially to injure the prospects of the colony.

Our responsible ministers are enjoying that otium cum digmlate so pleasant after the fatigues of a long session. They are seldom seen, and never inquired for. They are not required as workers like their predecessors, but rather as pleasant men fruges consumers nati. Indeed it is not generally thought that any very violent attempts to originate work on their part would be much appreciated in high quarters, and they consequently show their wisdom in not running the chance of making themselves troublesome by too great an exhibition of zeal. Mr. Eox does the honors of the Colonial Secretary’s office in his usual urbane manner, Mr. It. Wood signs checks for the purchase of the aforementioned fruges, whilst the Native Minister, not being wanted till after the native difficulty has been disposed of, has been turned out to grass in the South, and Mr. Bell taken up for any quiet hack work that may may be wanted in the meanwhile. Everybody is very mysterious about “ the policy,” and could say a great deal, but it is pretty generally suspected that nobody is a bit wiser than his neighbor on the subject, and that Sir George Grey’s policy will first show itself in its effects. However, whatever that policy may he, there is no doubt that unless a most decided stand is now made and our relations to the natives placed on a proper footing, we shall never again have the same chance as at present. A governor possessed of greater personal influence than any future one may ever hope to gain, and backed up by a larger force naval and military than it is likely that we will ever again see in this colony, ought to be able to do much, and if the opportunity is now lost we shall find ourselves in a worse position than if it had never been ours. Searching reforms are required : a mere superficial adjustment of the different points under dispute is not enough. Prolessicns of loyalty, surrender of rebel flags, and mere verbal promises, will be no security against the recurrence of the scenes of last year. Eoads must be made, and we trust that the rumour which lately reached us that it was the intention oi his Excellency to commence such works under the protection of the military, will prove to have been not without foundation.

The official reticence which appears to he the great policy of the day, renders it exceedingly difficult to form anything like an accurate opinion ns to the feelings of the natives since the arrival of t lie present Governor, but judging by the information which we receive from different parts of the country wo have good reason to believe that wo were not mistaken in our anticipations, and that the probable effocls of a change of Governors bad been considerably over-rated. Sir George Grey’s name was a rallying cry amongst the natives so long as ho was away, and when it was easy to assume, without any possibility of the absurdity of the assumption being proved, that if here he would undo all that his predecessor had done, and appear as the partisan and champion of the one race, hut his return was sufficient to expose the folly of any such expectations. Condonation of rebellion, a waiving of all demands on account of losses during that rebellion, and a return to (he former state of affairs, was what the natives had been led to believe would be the result of the change, and the reaction which has followed the discovery of their mistake in this particular lias been proportionately great. Perhaps there is sound policy in allowing them time now to ruminate over the great truth that whoever may be Governor the native must be taught to obey the Crown through its representative.

Considerable changes are being made in one of the most important of the government departments—namely, the native land purchase otiices. It is generally rumoured that the Chief Commissioner will shortly pay a visit to the old counti’y on leave of absence—a leave which the state of the country has prevented his tailing hitherto. Mr. McLean’s career is too well known to call for comment in these colonies. For fifteen years he has been at the head of his department, and during all that time, whenever personal influence was to be brought to bear upon the native, has proved himself equal to every emergency. Indefatigable, possessed of great persuasive powers, ever patient and cool in discussion, and perfectly acquainted with the native character, he has been for years a host in himself, and perhaps done more than any man to keep pence in New Zealand, and preserve good feeling between European and native. Of course his general policy has not remained without opponents, aud many new-lights have risen up and denounced it of late years, but it is remarkable that those best acquainted with the early struggles of the colony appreciate most highly what he has dime. True they see in common with ourselves aud many others that a modification of that policy has become necessary under the altered circumstances of the present time, but they forget to whom to a great extent, these altered circumstances are owing. That the country has in so many quarters been peacefully colonised, that until lately a strong desire to see Europeans settle in native districts existed amongst the natives, is owing much td- the temperate and conciliatory manner in which Mr. McLean has always endeavored to deal with them, not simply as Land Commissioner, but rather as the principal political agent of the Crown. What will bo the new system adopted in Now Zealand, in reference to the natives, it is not easy even to conjecture, but that there will be a change few doubt.

lor our own part wo have long advocated

that a period has now arrived when it may be made with advantage. Before the late war, it was never insisted upon with the Maori that he owed allegiance to Her Majesty,.irrespective of his own peculiar fancies upon the subject, and there were reasons why the duty should not be insisted upon too strongly. We had not the power of enforcing obedience : but times have changed since, and what was expedient a few years back would be a suicidal policy at present. But, at the same time that we insist on unconditional recognition of the rights of the Crown, we are called upon, inequity to recognize the rights of British subjects and take steps for placing the native holder of laud in the same position as other British subjects. We have called attention to this subject on several occasions in our columns and shall-insist upon it. Nothing can so strengthen the hands of the present Government with the natives as a recognition on our part of a desire to deal in a spirit of justice with them and, coming from a strung Government like the present, any intimation of such intention will carry with it extraordinary weight. We trust soon to see the market thrown open to natives holding land on native tenure, and whether the system of private negociation or that of public auction be adopted—the principle in both’ cases being the same—we believe that much will have been gained and the probability of a peaceful adjustment of present difficulties considerably augmented. Much opposition may be anticipated before any such salutary change can be effected. The Superchange in the land purchase system, and believe intendental element is strong in the country, and the brokerage of the waste lands of the Crown is a privilege not willingly resigned. A jealousy, too of tlie influence of old settlers has been carefully fostered of late, and new comers have in many eases been so far misled by interested persons as to believe that their only protection lies in the reservation to the government of the sole right of purchase. The feeling is difficult to overcome, but for the sake of all we should wish to see a more sensible view of the question generally’ taken. New Zealand has arrived at that state in which (he principles of free trade may be fairly adopted. All men we hope soon to see equal in the sight of the law, and when all men arc equal all property should be equal too ; and the immigrant from England will land in this country with a far fairer chance of success if he finds a fair open market for land than if he discovers to his cost, after a short sojourn in this country that he is restricted to occupying land which a paternal government thinks will suit him at ten siblings an acre. Most of our successful new arrivals have been obliged before achieving success to deal with older settlers ; they’ have generally found themselves on their arrival here, in reference to their land, much in the position of those who take their Colonial wardrobe from a London out filler, and finding his wonderful clothes perfectly useless after a first trial, arc too happy if they can only exchange them for others procurable here, and really serviceable notwithstanding that they’ are not to be had so cheap as at Moses & Sons. During the last year we have read in many English periodicals, led, unwittingly we believe, to take an unjust view of New Zealand colonists, bitter strictures on those anxious to acquire the land of the natives. In some quarters even the blame of (he late Taranaki war has been laid at their door. The desire to acquire land still exists, and is as strong as ever; and we can assure our English friends that in our opinion nothing but the introduction of a well-regulated system of acquiring land will prevent the recurrence of any such unfortunate collisions for the future. But the system must be well regulated. Our missionarv commentators at home have, in many of their writings, laid great stress on the fact of missionaries living quietly among the natives, and deplored the subsequent arrival of the colonist to mar the happy scene. Apai t, however, from the influence evereised by the sacred character of the missionarv, 'we may mention that he has generally been a direct purchaser of land from the natives, and in so far has been looked upon much in the same light as the well abused Pakeha-Maori, and much of his power may bo attributed to the same causes as those which have caused old settlers in troublous times to bo looked up to by the natives as advisers and by the government as trustworthy friends. The Maori race is only to be preserved by introducing into every part of the country a class of flourishing European farmers who may set it an example of industry, and teach it practical lessons in European civilization, and this can never be done if we are to confine ourselves to the occupation of such lands as natives in want of money may be induced to sell to government irrespective of who is to occupy it when sold. Such a system would gradually drive the natives back to their own valuable reserves, which they would never have an opportunity of learning how to cultivate properly, and which they would at last be forced to bring into the market in order to realize the means of bare subsistence. Taking for granted, as one safely may, that (be European race will gradually spread over the country, and do so notwithstanding all opposition, the present system of locating them tar irom the natives must inevitably lead at last to the latter dying out. The transition state in which they at present are, is a most dangerous one to prolong, and if they are left to herd together, they will never go beyond it. They must either be wholly civilized, or they will disappear from (lie face of the earth, a contingency which we are sure our missionary friends would not wish to contemplate.