THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 316, 19 October 1865, Page 1

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

TO THE CHAIRMAN OP THE NORTHERN ASSOCIATION. Sir, —In treating of the State of the Country,” I shall in this letter apply that phrase mainly to the condition of the Province of Auckland. I shall consider how the crisis in which we find ourselves affects “the people who live here ” both European and Maori. I shall then offer some plain suggestions upon “ What they are to do,” under circumstances full of difficulty, and not without peril. At the risk of some recapitulation then, I may state in a few words the position of affairs to be :

1. By the Treaty of Waitangi the Maoris became subjects of her Majesty, 2. The Crown virtually deprived the natives of the rights of British subjects, by rigorously enforcing the “ exclusive right ” to purchase their lands. 3. The British Government then became the great land-jobber, ceased to be an umpire between the two races, and was constantly brought into imminent danger of a collision with the natives.

4. The Imperial authorities eventually went to war with the natives. Then, after a great expenditure of blood and treasurer, they propose to withdraw from the island, and proceed to remove the troops, and leave the colonists to their fate.

5. The South, having long clamored for responsible government in native affairs, is pursuing a policy which will probably plunge the North into war, and, at all events, will effectually shut up the country, and check the progress of the province of Auckland. These are amongst the causes which have led to the present condition of this province. In consequence of the large expenditure we are sinking into a state of hopeless debt. Great numbers of immigrants have been introduced by the General Government, for whom work or food must be found, or else they will shortly be in a state of starvation. The borrowing limit has been reached. Taxation having been raised to £5 per head, cau not be further increased, unless wool and incomes can be taxed. What is to be done ? The English nation, by last advices, having decided to abandon the Island, the South asserts its supremacy, and rules the North. Its manner of doing this is:— 1. By proclaiming an amnesty, and commencing a new war on the East Coast. 2. By pardoning tbe perpetrators of old murders, whom it cannot catch, and by proclaiming martial law to hang the perpetrators of new murders, when it does catch them. 3. By passing “ The Militia Act, 1865," which, in case the policy of Mr Fitzgerald, the last of the dynasty of Southern native ministers, should end in more fighting, will enable the South to turn the North into a camp. 4. By passing " The Representation Act, 1865,” and thus firmly welding the links of Southern supremacy. It then only remains for the South to close the North as a field for colonization, and this it effectually does by the following notable scheme. 5. By introducing “ The Native Lands Bill, 1865,” which purports, to legalise direct purchase of Native Lauds, and proposes to levy a duty of 2s. 6d. per acre upon every acre purchased ; of Is. per acre upon every acre leased for under 7 years ; of 2s. 6d. per acre upon every acre leased for under 14 years ; of ss. per acre upon every acre leased for 14 years And upwards.

“ The Native Lands Bill 1865, it will be seen pursues the ancient Imperial policy of isolating the races. It deprives the Maori of the light of dealing advantageously with his land, for no one knowing anything of the native character, can suppose for a moment that the Maori will not be fully aware that if a purchaser must pay to the* General Government 2s. 6d. per acre for every acre sold, and from Is to ss. for every acre leased, the seller will be either deprived of a large portion of the value of his land, or prevented from selling or leasing his land at all. In the interior of this province, the lee-simple of the land is not worth one half the amount clained by Governmeut as a tax upon tho sale. And thus with a great show of opening np the country, tho South pursues, less honestly, but quite as effectually, the old policy of depriving the natives of the just value of their lands, and of preventing any profitable occupation of them by Europeans. Now I do not desire to suppose that this Native Lands Bill has been introduced with the deliberate intention of injureing either Europeans, or Maoris of this province; but I do say distinctly, that it betrays a most lamentable ignorance of native character. The great wrong inflicted upon both the natives and the colonist, by the Imperial authorities in shutting up the Natives Lands, is to be made perpetual. This crying injustice has cost. England some of her best blood ; it has destroyed her prestige in this part of the world; it has compelled her to expend millions of money ; and after all, she is reduced to the necessity of retiring from the scene of so much disaster to her sons, to her arms, and to her reputation, without having secured either the supremacy of the Crown, the authority of the Law, or tht civilization of the Maoris, the grand objects that she honestly had in view. This was the cause which tbs Auckland people were called upon by Governor Browne la the Queen’s name,” to stand forward and defend, Though on good terms with the Maoris, they came forward and were ranged in hostile array against them, and from that day to this, through good report and through ill report they have stood to their colors. In Sir George Grey’s proclamation of peace, dated September 2nd, the colors are hauled down.

Six months ago the colonists of Auckland petitioned her Majesty to assume once more the sole control of Native Affairs, so that the Imperial Authorities might have an opportunity of retracing this step, of repairing some of the evils which their blunders had caused, and of enabling the natives to enjoy the rights and privileges of British subjects, “ the undisturbed possession of their lands —peace, order, and good Government,” all of which were guaranteed to them by the treaty with the British Crown, but have never yet been conferred upon them. The Imperial Authorities have, I may say, declined to re-open the question. They have remitted the native difficulty to the South for solution. They refuse to embrace the opportunity of rendering tardy justice to the natives. The South, by its “.Native Land Bill, 1865,” virtually adheres to the fatal policy of isolation. It has failed to perceive that the shutting up uf native lands has been the festering sore, which has produced the difficulties, the outbreaks, and the wars, in which the North has been involved since 1840. The one great lesson which the bitter experience of the past has taught the North, the South has failed to learn.

Unless we adopt measures to arrest the fatal policy which the South is pursuing, we shall be involved in the Maelstrom of another native difficulty The policy of isolation is not only a policy of injustice, it is a policy of extermination. The Colonists of Auckland protest against such a policy. They will consider themselves released from any further allegiance to the fatal system introduced by the Land Clause of the treaty of Waitangi, in which, under heavy penalties they were compelled to acquiesce. The Auckland Colonists are now free to meet the Maoris on equal terms. They intend to make common cause with them. They are prepared to assist the Maoris by ail peaceable means to secure : —:

1. The free use and absolute right of disposal of their lands, by sale or lease, as they

may think best—in the same manner as Ea ropeans dispose of their lands. 2. A full participation in the representation and Government of the country, as soon as a workable plan can be arranged.

To secure these ends, there must be a restoration of those kindly feelings, which formerly existed between the races, and which I firmly believe, will quickly revive. We roust put our best men into the Provincial Council, men in whom the Europeans and, as far as possible, the natives also have confidence. If this be done, vve may not unreasonably expect to see the Provincial Council become the Supreme Legislature of this part of the colony. Being on the spot, well acquainted with the Native question, having the confidence of the natives made wise by experience, and above all, being the constituted authority of the province, neither Mr Cardwell nor the South can long ignore it.

To conclude : “ The people who live here” have certain things to do in order to escape from the debt, taxation, difficulties, and dangers, which threaten them. Amongst the chief teings to be sought for are these : 1. Equal rights and equal laws for both races. 2. A great reduction of government and steam postal expenditure. 3. A re-adjustment of taxation. 4. An equitable distribution of available revenue throughout the province. 0. Opening up the country by utilizing the internal water communication we possess. 0. Separation from the rest of the colony. If these objects are sought with wisdom and patience, both races may hope to obtain that peace, order, and good government, which, though often promised, has never yet been established in Northern New Zealand. I am, &c., J. C. FIRTH. Auckland, September 30, 1865.