IS IT PEACE?

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 45, 8 May 1862, Page 5 (Supplement)

IS IT PEACE?

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bag Times. Sut, —To this question different answers are given by different persons at the present time ; and no wonder. While the journals in the interest of the Fox-Ministry,, particularly the New Zealander, Wellington Independent, and Lyttelton Times, see peace and prosperity before us, other journals, viewing the question in another light, see doubts and difficulties in the path. Of this class the Wellington Advertiser is a fair sample, being independent of Government influence, and accustomed to speak out boldly and unmistakeably on various public questions. But on this question I would submit that the Advertiser errs. The question has been decided, and “ barring accidents,” we shall have peace for a time. Your issue of the 17th instant contains an article showing that Sir G. Grey is no way bound by the acts of his Ministers ; that, in fact, he is allowing them to amuse themselves by trying to settle questions which he knows will ultimately have to be decided by the sword. To this I would demur, and, while allowing that Sir G. Grey is quite capable of using such men as Fox and Ward as the monkey used the paws of the cat, and that he will “ so use them” if it suits his purpose, I must nevertheless maintain that, notwithstanding all his shrewdness, he was “ overmatched” at the only meeting of which the public have got the history between representatives of Maori Kingcraft and the Queen’s Governor; that, whether he meant it or not, the natives obtained from him an admission that he “ meant peace.” The mere words may seem of little moment, but under the particular circumstances with which they are connected, they were of the utmost importance, and were duly appreciated by the Waikato people. After that any step that his Excellency takes must be fettered by his words, being, according to Maori ideas, pledged to peace; and under the circumstances, peace means letting matters rest as they are, statu quo. That the leaders of the Waikato are too knowing to rashly recommence war as long as the garrison of Few Zealand is maintained at anything like its existing strength will scarcely be disputed. A collision may take place, accidentally, and be followed by a general war; but for accidents neither Thompson te Waharoa nor Governor Grey is answerable. Thus, !! barling accidents,” we suau nave peace for a time, and the natives will “ bide their time,” particularly as there is every probability of their being informed by some of our Maori doctors that the soldiers will not stay very long, and

once they leave us, will most likely never return to the colony. The future does not augur well, but as “ sufficient for the day is tli e evil thereof’ appears to he the rule with us as a community, as well as with many of us individually, we may “ sleep in peace,” and let the future provide for itself. To support the view that peace has been made unconditionally, it is necessary to refer to the occurrences of the early part of last year. Some of the Waikato chiefs who had not engaged in the war expressed to Governor Browne a desire for the cessation of hostilities, and the Governor in reply, unfortunately said, all they (Waikato) had to do was to withdraw from Waitara, and the strife would end. They took him at his word, and when he afterwards sent to offer “ terms of peace” they evaded the question, and declined to bind themselves to any terms. They had got what they asked, and needed nothing more ; it was “ leave us alone, and we will leave you alone.” They had some misgivings as to the intentions of the Government, no ways quieted by the large force concentrated at Auckland ; and knowing they had erred, doubted if they would escape without yielding utu. So matters remained till Sir George Grey met some of them at Kohanga, and then they were reserved and close until he had answered the question in the affirmative. “ Yes, I mean peace.” “Do you all hear the Governor’s word” was their immediate reply. The question was settled, according to their view. No doubt Sir George afterwards intimated that “he would be glad” if they would restore the spoils, and make Ngatiruanui and Taranaki give utu for their share of the disturbance. Sir George’s delicate intimation of his wish on that subject was treated as it deserved to be ; let the “ spoils of war abide” says Tipene. And abide they must, fur if any attempt were made forcibly to retake the plunder, it would be a breach of peace by the Government, and Sir George’s own words would condemn him ; his maminga would be as much talked of as ever was any real or imaginary he of Governor Browne, and with far more show of justice on the part of the natives. His tiuihanga would be a sufficient reason for them to justify themselves in breaking any contract, or repudiating any bargain for ever afterwards. But circumstances may arise, as oft they have done beforetime, that will upset ail their plans and alter the movements of both Governor and natives, when all the questions “ now postponed indefinitely” will be reopened as prominently as ever, and there may again be an. opportunity of settling them and deciding the progress or retrogression of the colonists in this island ; until then the existing relations with our Maori landlords must, however unsatisfactory, be maintained intact. Yours, x\.pril 28th, 1802. A Saxon.