WILLIAM THOMPSON'S SUBMISSION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 1, 29 June 1865, Page 1

WILLIAM THOMPSON'S SUBMISSION.

[From the Wanganui Chronicle, 12th June.] It will be seen by what appears in our columns elsewhere that a controversy has been raised as to the good faith of Thompson’s submissive. The Daily Southern Cross first called in question the explicitness of the terms used by Thompson. The other Auckland papers, which had at first accepted the submission as all that could he desired, have' gradually veered round to a similar view to that of the Southern Cross, although for somewhat different reasons The Taranaki Herald, on the other hand, %ons ders that no better forms of submission Could have been framed. Amidst these conflicting views among those who profess to be Maori scholars, it is difficult to form an opinion. The whole transaction, if looked at in a common sense light, however, appears open to many objections ; and however desirable it may be to have peace with the Maoris, it becomes a question whether

peace brought about in this way is likely to be firm and lasting. The Maoris are not brought yet to such an extremity that they apply of their own accord to the Government, asking that they may be received. A private gentleman, whose Maori proclivites are well known in Auckland, is first applied to to and it is, as is represented, by his persuasion that Thompson is induced to sign the document about which there is so much question. No one accredited by the Government was present. It woull appear that the conversation was carried on by means of an interpreter whose qualifications are doubtful; and it was conducted on our side by a gentleman whose benevolent and easy disposition rendered him peculiarly liable to be overreached if Thompson had any disposition to impose. The worst feature in the negociations, it seems to us, was the placing of the two equally long sticks in the ground as the Queen an King, with the other stick lying horizontally on their upper ends as the law ; but it appears that Mr Graham denies that this took place, or at least that it took place in his presence. Why was it, however, that communication was not had with the Government directly ? It could not be that Thompson was doubtful of his being received. Neither could it be because he hoped to make better terms though a private individual, as, if the document means what Mr Graham believes, the submission is entire and unconditional. It is difficult to imagine Thompson’s motive, unless it was sinister. The New Zealand Herald, from the latest information which it has received, some of which it considers unsafe to divulge, says that Thompson is a pai marire ; as such, bound to exterminate the European; and that this is merely a feint to hasten the withdrawal of the troops. The same paper says that the word “ Ingiki,” about which a good deal of speculation has arisen, and which the Taranaki Herald affirms to be a corruption by the hau-haus of the word Kingi, is the term “ Inca,” the name given by the Peruvians to their kings and princes previous to the Spanish conquest. If so, why this change has been made it is difficult to guess—possibly as adopting a name less offensive to English law, and one the bearer of which might be more likely to be recognised by the English Government. To put against all this confusion and uncertainty there is the fact that Matutaera, the king, has expressed a desire to submit on the same terms, and that he has written to Rewi to do likewise, —that ferocious chief, however, being represented by the latest advices, as at the head of 600 fanatics ready for any ruthless deed against European settlers. It would thus appear still doubtful whether the jubilation expressed by our southern contemporaries is not premature. One thing there is no doubt about, and that is, that even to have brought these men to do what they have done, the pressure of adverse circumstances must be considerable. The overtures thus begun may issue in a termination of the contest if proper means are used, and from the departure of the Governor to; "Wellington, it appears that no indecent haste will be made to patch up a peace.

To secure a satisfactory peace without much delay would not, we think, be difficult. A few heavy blows inflicted on the natives in their present depressed condition would be the most effective arguments that could be used. The taking of the Wereroa pa is one of these. Then let the Forest Rangers make a few raids on inland settlements. Let the fanatics at Kawhia be routed out by the Colonial forces. And let a position be taken up on the Taupo plains, and an armed steamer be put on the Taupo Lake. Such measures would impress on the Maori the one wholesome lesson which he has not yet learned-that he is no match for the European; and until this lesson is, taught peace cannot be considered as secure. But wo have no hope that such measures will be adopted. True kindness to the Maori, as well as a regard to British interests, enforces their necessity ; but a fatal spell seems to fall on all our rulers and commanders, when they have to do with the Maoris, which blinds their eyes and fetters their movements.