NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 681, 13 May 1869, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE lIAWKE's BA.Y TIMES. Sir, —I have just read a leading article in the Wellington Independent of the 27th April, which T think should he reprinted and circulated for the benefit of those who may not see that newspaper. [The article in qnestion will be found elsewhere.] It appears to me the Government policy towards the rebel natives is there described, and in my opinion il is the only proper method of settling this horrid Maori difficulty ; and I thus considered sorr.e months since, when perusing the following letter, written by a gentlemen in Napier, and published in the New Zealand Advertiser, 11th January : Sir—lf we take a calm and reasonable view of native affairs, we shall find Titolcowaru and Te Kooti, together with say 1,000 men, and having a tract of interior for a cover, from which they can pounce clown on adjacent spots. Our weakness is in not having a force to follow and harass them. There are white men to he found who would take to the bush as readily as the natives. The co'iimissailat would be the difficulty : but that might be easily overcome by nourishment in a concentrated form being conveyed through settled districts to suitable spots, the harassing force not to be valued by the number, but by the quality of its men, and the superior we ipons with which they should be provided. This force, or portions of it, should feel able to rely upon its own protection to a very great extent —the bush, when requisite, to be its home for weeks together—not out for 21 or 4S hours, and then to fall back upon some redoubt or settlement, lly moving in the interior the enemy would be encountered or driven towards the settled districts, where the men of those districts and towns must be prepared to co-operate, and at such times might look for some pay—certainly not for the nonsensical and unnecessary manoeuvring one may witness in a town in the North Island. The harassing force to be well paid—its work to be done effectually. Better spend a good sum on this force than to have the country in its present state for any length of time. Tno work of this force would be with a section of natives who had forfeited every claim to pity; there need be no male prisoners. We are not lighting with the whole of the Maoris of the Northern Island; such would be a '-ad occurrence for many of us, and not less for those who freely talk of wholesale extermination. There are some to be found of these natives of the Northern Island who may be benefitted by good example and fair treatment, .sir, how long is it contemplated the country is to bo in its present state? Some are crying out for Imperial troops : what will they do should they come —remain near the coasts or on the open country? The hard lighting is not likely to be there. Should not the natives learn to respect the residents of New Zealand, not the troops, who would probably be here for a time only ? .sir, I am under the impression that if all united in supporting the Government, dropped party feeling and politics for a time, choosing a more seemly opportunity,—that if some portions of the press would publish reports that should be creditable for truth and fairness,—we might soon hope to see a better state of affairs for settlers in the Northern Island. The extent of the difliculty is not so great at present as to require any considerable amount of external aid, but union among ourselves is essential. Should there he anything approaching a general rising, which I do not at all anticipate, then we might call on our fellow-settlers of the Middle Island, who would no doubt readily respond to the call. Until that time may they, the settlers of the Middle Island, pursue and prosper in those peaceful occupations which tend to the material prosperity of a country. Now, Sir, T think it will be apparent to readers of the article from the Wellington Independent, and to observers of what has occurred elsewhere, that im may have to lend a hand in the field for defensive purposes, and, I would ask, how shouid we possibly perform our parts? Should we come olf victorious and with little loss, or get i' to a great muddle and blunder through with considerable loss and discredit, or even worse ? Then should not the present time bo taken advantage of to bring the c nnpnnios of militia into real working order ? Officers and men should know more than they do at present of what would be required in the field. It would be of little ava)l I fear, if before an enemy, one's having been so many times on oarade, or having hiid a share in forming fours or presenting arms. Be it not supposed that I am anxious for military duties. Far from it j but this I do think, that we might be taught something useful in case of need; and then, if we are wanted, I trust we should give a good account of ourselves; and if we should not be required, so much the better for all of us. There is little to fear in Napier or its immediate neighbourhood from any external enemy; and with a wellorganised and properly worked scouting party —more requisite on the boundaries of the Province —i trust our outsettlers would be secured from any sudden raid. Sir, I am so convinced of the suitableness of the plans of the (General Government, and of their teing efficiently carried out in the field by Colonel YV hit-more and those under him, —and of whose perseverance, courage, and endurance I need not write, as now his enemies acknowledge his qualities, —that I trust erelong, if the weather continues favorable and politicians do not interfere, such successes will be gained (we must not expect that there will be no reverses)—-that will bring us well towards the completion of this horrid Maori difficulty. Sir, 1 cannot bring myself to "believe that the settlers of the Middle Island will desert us of the North Island in our present trying difliculty, for they must see that the expenditure going on, now at any rate,

is absolutely necessary, and is not for prolonging war; and I have no doubt iht'y •will do collectively as they would do individually—help those who help themselves. Sir, Canterbury is a settlement of English men. The hospitality ard kindliness of Nelson settlers is well known, and has been shewn from ths first Tarannki outbreak downwards. Of Otago and her settlers my knowledge is too limited to form an opinion ; but I hope in yea>s to come we shall be able to look back with pleasure only on any of her actions towards us relative to the present time. Sir, I have trespassed at great length ; but I sincerely trust that the subjeet of Maori difficulties may soon bo counted with past events, and neither myself nor others may have to write much more in connection therewith.—l atn, &0., Napier, May 10, 18G9. L.