CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 248, 5 April 1865, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We shall always feel pleasure in affording space for the free discussion of all subjects affecting, the, prosperity and progress of the province and colony, not endorsing any opinions expressed in this portion of our columns, and always reserving to ourselves the right to curtail any expression wanting in courtesy on the part of the writer. ss r All communications must he accompanied by the name and address of the writer in confidence, and as a guarantee of good faith. To the Editor of the Haivke's Say Times. Sir, —The most absurd and dangerous policy of arming the native race is now being carried out in this province. How the authorities can be so blind and reckless as to the certain consequences of this false step is quite incomprehensible. The natives that are supplied with arms and ammunition, it seems, belong to Taupo, though it does not appear that we have anything to fear from the rebels in that quarter. At all events, it surely would be a great deal better and cheaper to raise a body of our own countrymen, in whom wc could place confidence, as we know they would defend our hearths and hofnes. It is quite true that the natives has fought for us, but the motive of their so doing has always been mistaken it has not been from any love to us. Grog and money has done something towards it, but Ilia gratification of a deepfelt and never-dying revenge has done more, and to these causes can be traced the so-cJfded loyalty of die natives—grog, money, and the deeper and surer one of bloody revenge against former conquerors. But allow all this, still it is the most dangerous policy that can he pursued by a colony to arm its aboriginal population, as limn will prove to our sorrow, and probably the deathj of many a brave Englishman, by means of the arms now so recklessly placed in the hands of the natives by a mistaken and vacillating Government. Yours, ,fc., Carlyle-street. It. G. H.