Hawke's Bay Times. NullIus addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1869. WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE MAORI PRISONERS?

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 696, 1 July 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nulllus addictus jurare in verba magistri. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1869. WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE MAORI PRISONERS?

Since submission has become the order of the day on the West Coast, following on the successes of. Colonel Whitmore, and the harassing expeditions of Major Noakes, Captains Kells, Bryce, and Hawes, it becomes a serious question what wo shall do with the prisoners. It seems thev already number over 300 men, and the Colony is not in a position to maintain them in idleness,—perchance to again escape and perpetrate their old misdeeds. One of their representatives in the General Assem ibly tells us that it is no use to bajnish them, for if we were to send them to England they would steal a ship and come back again. The New Zealand Herald answers the question in the bes+ manner that we have yet seen. While some talk of negociating with the Australian Colonies for their safe custody, the Herald says, keep them amongst ourselves, and employ them in chain gang-; to construct the great lines of road-through this island. "We wish we could see this as a part of the policy of the Fox or any Ministry. It is the very thing required. We want the roads made for the opening up and permanent pacification of the country, and here is a fine body of able laborers to our hand ready for the work. It would, moreover, be a far better thing than to let them live in idleness, as has hitherto been the case with rebel prisoners. Make them usefol, say we; and not le-enact either of the farces of the hulks, the Kawau Island, or "the Chathams. Why should they not be made to labor 1 Is it too great an indignity to them - We have been far too chary of their feelings, and it is time to show them that rebellion has its penalties as well as its exciting pleasures.