Public Opinion.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1575, 12 May 1874, Page 213

Public Opinion.

BUM AND MAORIDOM. WAKATIPU MAIL. Some time ago we made a remark in reference to the native question that it was being settled with and by the aid of rum. A gentleman thoroughly able to judge—an old colonist—an Auckland man, and one whose observations are worth considering, remarked, in the course of a con- ( versation we had with him, that "he thought they were trying whether rum was not cheaper after all than powder." "We were referring to how matters actually stood with the natives, and to what extent the new land policy had been successfully carried out. Since that period we have closely watched matters through the aid of the Press ; the Superintendent of Auckland's tour ; the hon. J. M'Lean's tour I various local meetings ; the Duuedin Star's special correspondent's letters—they atf exhibit, in a lesser or stronger light, the painful fact that rum has obtained a mastery and a hold over a large proportion of the native population, and it appears will in the end save powder and shot, or the use of much of it. Peace and rum will do more deadly execution than the rifle. The former will produce an inactivity, which rum would dangerously stimulate—and inactivity " with rum " is a dangerous foe to the Maori. We apprehend that this is one of the causes that created some intrigues not yet clearly seen, but which have led to disunion amongst the natives themselves. Readers must not infer that the Government have anything to do with these rum supplies. Not they. They have had passed by the Assembly laws forbidding the sale of liquor to the native race under any circumstances, and at times have enforced them. That they have not done so generally is because the Maori resents being treated differently from a European, and further, because by hook or by crook, he will, if he desires it, procure supplies. By all accounts this liquor is the fiery potent rum of the old convict days of the Australian Colonies, something like " Lightning Streak Whisky, of State Ohio—bound to kill if you strike heavy enough." The Government are, of course, quite aware of the state of matters, and how far the evil has gone. The public works, l'oads, the influx of visitors, the purchase of large blocks of native lands by or through the Government, have given to many of the Maori tribes command of much money. They can purchase rum in wholesale quantities if they prefer; but they spend, or choose to spend like Europeans, a good deal of their gains in the hotels, where they are frightfully robbed into the bargain. Bum is, therefore, playing at present a very important mission amongst the aboriginal population of the North Island. Land buyers are anxious that it should moie greatly still do so, and it is more than hinted at that most of these public houses and Maori stores are land as well as rum traps. The rum will not run out, and the stores will not refuse the native landowner credit while he has land to pawn. There is, fortunately, a saving clause. Many of the rising generation stand aloof; are assimilating themselves to European habits ; are becoming keen men and women of business, understand-

ing and appreciating the rights and value of property. This is the class of Maori that is styled obstructive, opposed to Settlement, noted for rapaciousness and other hard things. Actually this is not the general rule or the fact in all cases. The very difficulty of the position would suggest caution to the European if in his place. This class of Maori does not or would not divest himself of his paternal estates with the readiness of his forefathers. He desires to conserve. At present the law presents many difficulties in the way of his leasing auriferous lands, as at Ohinemuri (Thames); and he does not want to sell. But because ho somewhat after the fashion of the snake, cast his skin annually, he becomes the reviled of the greedy coveter of his patrimony. We have penned these remarks with the view of attracting attention to the changing attitude of affairs in the North Island, of which the above forms only one element.