THE NATIVE QUESTION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 20 March 1863, Page 3

THE NATIVE QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Hawke’s Bay Times. Sir, —Public opinion, during the last few years, seems to be getting almost unanimous on one point—a point, on the merits of which all New Zealand has freely discussed. This is, as may be supposed, the Native Question. It would be utterly vain to recal to mind the many golden opportunities which have been lost by an imbecile and ajrathetic Government to bring the aboriginal natives of these Islands to a state of permanent subjection and loyalty to the British Crown. Certainly much has been done to try and bring them to a right understanding, and instil into their minds the fact that then king was but a king by name—an absolute myth —but much has also been left neglected which might have greatly influenced the endeavors of the Government, and forwarded the great work of civilization. To use a Scriptural phrase, (although, perhaps, such may be deemed out of place here by some) “ they have left undone those things which they ought to have done, and done those things which they ought not to have done,” and, I may be allowed to add—“ there is no health in them.” They have been coaxed, flattered, petted, and bribed to such a degree that the natives have come to the idea (and very naturally too, I think) that the British population are afraid of them; and having that idea fostered in their brains by repeated humiliating acts of the Government, they have now formed an opinion that they are equal, if not superior, to the pakehas: which opinion, by the way, it will take many pounds of money, many pounds of leaden bullets, and many inches of cold steel, to eradicate. Out of the many journals published in the Colony of New Zealand—dailies, triweeklies, bi-weeklies, and weeklies—but one remains true to “ Hori Grey,” (as his aboriginal children call him), —but one still advocates the principles of the “ peace-at-any-price ” policy which this singular man has introduced, and which, seemingly, he means to carry out, if possible, at the risk of the honor and dignity of the Crown of which he is the Representative in these Islands, —but one makes him its backbone and stay ; —and that one is the New Zealander. I have said that that is the only journal which sticks to Sir George through thick and thin, but in this, I am afraid, 1 am slightly mistaken, for it takes no extraordinarily close observer to recognize, in your “ esteemed” and “ cautious contemporary ” of Tennysonstreet, a second edition of the aforementioned daily tool of the present Governor. But what can we expect from a journal that has become well-known for its weak and nervous nature, (almost as bad as Sir George himself), more especially when an influential officer of the General Government is resident in the province, and who is, moreover, at the head of the Provincial Executive ? (which last fact, by the way, is enough to convince us that the Herald would stick up for him, be he English, Dutch, Kaffir, or Maori!) While such a state of things exists, we might just as well expect Sir George Grey to issue a proclamation of war against the Maories of New Zealand as to expect the Hawke’s Bay Herald to deviate in any way from its present niggardly course of croaking. Sir, I have seen it in your paper, in letters from some of your correspondents, that peace can never be made in the Colony but with the sword ; and of this I am perfectly convinced myself. lam further of opinion that it will never be the luck of the settlers of New Zealand to see peace established on a, firm and permanent basis, until Sir George Grey is removed, and the conduct of affairs is placed in the hands of some man who is not afraid to establish British supremacy over the face of the land. Were Sir George here for 20 years, I do not believe there would be any peace, at the end of that period; he might succeed in making a patched-up peace, but that is not what is wanted on the contrary, it is a consummation more to be dreaded than even war, for the fire would not be put out, though for the time prevented from blazing, but would burst forth at some future time with tenfold fury, and its effects would be ten times as disastrous, .and would be severely felt many years after. Fearing I have trespassed too long on your valuable space, I am, &c., Hawke’s Bay. Napier, March 20, 1863.

CHEAP BREAD versus DEAR. To the Editor of the Hawke's Say Times. Sir, —Can you inform the public why the loaf of bread is 7d. in Napier, it being only 4|d. in Auckland, and the difference in the price of the bag of flour is but Is. 6d. here and there. Such a monopoly, or rather a combination on the part of the bakers here is monstrous, and tends to depress the working class very much. It seems strange that when flour was 30s. the loaf was 7d., and now that it is 17s. the loaf is yet the same. It is to be hoped a third baker will start in the trade, and I am sure he will be well supported. I am, &c., Old Practical.