MISREPRESENTATIONS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 772, 24 March 1870, Page 4

MISREPRESENTATIONS.

[From tbe Evening Post, 14th Msircb.] The Dunedin Evening Star, of the 5 th inst., devotes a rambling disjointed sort of an article to assuring its readers that the people and journals of the North have, for a long time past, bf:en exaggerating the dangers of the native insurrection, on purpose to evoke the sympathies pf the Soish; "that the'Northern Islanders are continually hankering after war and war profits; not content like the people of the South, with the proceeds of labor, they want Government contracts for supplies and transport in order that they may reap, no matter who suffers." The stress laid upon the retention of a body of Imperial troops in the country is denounced as an alarmist sham, as proved by the fact that tbe departure of the 18tb*Regt. has been followed by no disastrous consequences ; that the natives had never been so heartily thrashed by the Imperial troops as as to acquire a fear of them : and that " t]ie Colonial force*, by enemy into their bush retreats, have done more to assert European superiority than has ever been done by the regular troops, with the single exception of General Chute's force.' 5 It is rather premature to speculate on the effects of the withdrawal of the troops when the last of them are hardly yet clear of our shores; and the slighting way in which their past services are spoken of displays either a wilful perversion of truth or an amount of ignorance regarding the history of the native war. which our contemporary would do well to remedy. Will he attempt to assert that such a force as we then possessed, or have ever had since, could have successfully faced the formidable organization against us which existed at the time General Cameron marched his troops into the "Waikato ? Has he ever heard of the actions at Rangiriri, Awamutu, Rangioawhia, G'rakau, and Te Ranga? Is he aware that in speaking of the Tauranga campaign one of the ablest critics of the war, and who strongly condemned j the manner in which it was con ducted by General Cameron, said *' the losses of the natives were so heavy that, as they expressed it themselves, their whole tribe was annihilated. Nearly all ilieir braves and leading men were killed, and when afterwards the survivors surrendered and made submission, they were truly a miserable remnant, on whom it was impossible to look without feelings of commiseration and pity." Whatever unnecessary expenditure there was of time, of treasure, and of human life ; whatever unfortunate errors may have been committed during the time that the war was conducted by Im perial troops, however inadequate the result obtained may have been to the means employed, there is not the shadow of a doubt that by them the war, as an organization of a large portion of the Maori against the European race, was crushed, and that since hostilities have been conducted by ourselves, we have only had to deal with detached and comparatively insignificant bands of marauders and murderers. The Star further assures its readers that there never was a time when the natives were more inclined to live at peace with their white neighbors. +han they are at present, instancing in support of this opinion an assertion that " there was not long since a kind of Parliament held, at which the opinions of the leading chiefs were expressed. One was for placing his tribe under Queen Victoria, another under King Tawhiao. They did not appear to be, Jas a rule, very particular who should be the supreme ruler; none were for war, and all expressed a wish to live on terms of amity with the pakehas." This would evidently lead those who did not know better to infer that the whole Maori race had met in solemn conclave, and decided on a certain line of action; but we happen to know that the <-' Parliament" referred to was only a gathering of the Maoris in the Manawatir district, to take into consideration what they ought to do in reference to a certain disputed piece of land, and had no bearing whatPJft the general politics of the

native pace, The meeting at Rangitikei, dignified by the name of a "Parliament," has as much to do with our relations with the Maori race as a meeting of the Corporation of Dunedin has with the deliberations of the General Assembly of New Zealand. But, like a lady's letter, the real purpose of the Star's article makes it«elf apparent in a sort of postcript, devoted to the comparison between the old colonial forces and the new. We are treated to the old hackneyed comparison between Whitmore's men and those who joined David in the Cave of Adullam, and then told that the present Government, having chosen an officer to organise an army who knows the value of " moral character," it is a disgrace to some northern papers (not named), and above al[ the Otago Times, to "sneer at the preference given to respectability," It is perhaps owing to the depravity of human nature, but a fact, nevertheless, that moral suasion has en tirely failed with the Maori, and those who know him best rest their hopes of restraining his mischievous propensities entirely on physical force. " Respectability "is all veiy well, but under present circum stances, we can hardly afford to pay the price charged for it, and prefer the disreputable fellows who took ISTgatapa to the " respectable " men who ornament Mount Cook Barracks. By way of a " clincher/' the Star concludes—" No matter from what cause, the Colony has at any rate enjoyed singular immunity from outrage, and, Ave venture to assert, at a minimum of expense." Whatever the cause may be, it is not at tribu cable to the new Constabulary, who might as well have been in Timbuctoo as in New Zealand for all the good they have yet done;i and the "minimum of expense" will be proved when the bill is presented to the House.

Goldsmiths' Wokk.—The progress of 6ne art manufacture in this branch of trade is strikingly exemplified in a little workjast published by J. W. Benson, of 25 Old Bond-st., and of tlio i)i'j Steam' Factory, 58 and 60, Ludguto Hill, tt is enriched and embellished with designs (by Italian, French, and English, artistes) of iirooches, Bracelets, Earrings, and other articles suitable for personal wear, or Wedding, Birthday, or other presents, with their prices. Mr Benson (who hold* the appointment to H.Ii.H. the Prince of Wales) has also published a very interesting pamphlet on the Rise and Progress of Watch and Clock-making. These pamphlets are sent po3t free for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contemplating a purchase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have it forwarded with perfect safety. I|7