THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

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

THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Say Tim-es. Sut.—lt is but a few mouths ago that some of the journals of the capital assured us “ how the Government intended to insist on complete submission ami restoration of plunder ; ’ and “how a penalty in land was expected Iroin the Ngatiruanni murderers but when the “ plenipotentiaries” met at Kohanga, instead of the tall talk on that subject we find arguments used to induce the natives to “ accept salaries and emoluments from uswealth beyond their computation is offered them, and they are begged to accept it; they are assured that although the Governor would be very glad to see them restore the plunder, and offer land as a peace offering, yet lie will not attempt to obtain either forcibly ; that the murderers will be tried “ if they choose to surrender,''' which they will probably do “ when they are tired of their liberty," or when they have been

“ assured by the Government that they shall not be punished.” So much for the reliability of statements about the intentions of the Government. But there are others blameable for misleading the public, who cannot make the same excuse as the editors of the Auckland papers. Thus the Hon. Mr. Fox, in the last speech he delivered from the left of the chair in the House of .Representatives, is reported to have said that he would stick rigidly to tire (mild) terms offered by Governor Browne, and enforce them if necessary. His promise on that occasion contrasts markedly with what he is reported to have said at Ins interview with some of the King’s subjects. His offer on the latter occasion to submit the question of title to the disputed patch of land to a board of natives and Europeans was a concession for which the colony could scarcely be prepared, and is directly opposed to Governor Browne’s terms. The Stafford Ministry were charged with weakness and incapacity, and for their treatment of this subject they deserved all the blame they received on that side of the question ; but they never dragged the Crown through the mire to an extent at all comparable with what lias been done by their successors in office. Mr. Fox must have felt the rebuff when in answer to his offer of arbitration he was told that “ they (the rebels) would not consent,” as the land was now on the Gospel hook, and was safe ; meaning that the land lays unoccupied, and must remain so, as a “ kainga totohe,” as hundreds of thousands of acres lay waste in different parts of the colony, no man daring to occupy, as to do that would be to risk death at the hand of rival claimants. That “ the land was left a debateable question” was evidently their opinion, as well as “ that it should continue so” was their intention. Well might Aporo tell Mr. Fox that “ to consent to arbitration was to deliver the land to the wild beast the law which is death ; as they knew well that by justice the land was the Crown’s property, and must be so decided by an impartial tribunal, thus letting the land pass to the pakeha, to prevent which they took up arms. Besides, such a decision would convict them of error in resisting, and they are naturally chary of compromising themselves on that head. They may perhaps be induced some day to “ consent to arbitration” if a sufficient quantity of coin is before-hand offered as the quid pro quo ; or if they can insure before-hand (by their choice of arbitrators) that the decision will be in their favour. Until then, any attempt to occupy the land would be to resume the offensive, and “ has not the Governor told them he means peace ?” Yours, May 2nd, 18G2. A Saxon.