THE SUBMISSION OF THE MAORI KING.

Kumara Times, Issue 1512, 2 August 1881, Page 2

THE SUBMISSION OF THE MAORI KING.

[FROM THE AUSTRALASIAN.]

That is a very significant telegraphic announcement from New Zealand which relates that King Tawbiao, with some of the principal chiefs of his party, came unsolicited into Alexandra “ and laid 80 guns at the feet of Major Mair, as representative of the Government, stating that they were an offering in the name of pence.” Tenders towards peace coming from a barbarian chief wear their most authentic look when they come accompanied by the surrender of arms. We have no means of knowing the proportion which 80 guns bear to the whole armoury of Tawhiao, but, taking the case as it stands, it is a substantial, and the mure gratifying because unasked, surrender < f war material. It was impossible for the Maori King to give a more satisfactory proof of his desire for peace. The incident is the fitting climax and reward of the policy steadfastly pursued by the Hall Government since it took office in a time of great peril and insecurity. The Government has from the first held that tiie firmest course would, in the long run, prove to be the most secure, and even the most conciliatory ; and the justice of this view is splendidly vindicated by the peaceful submission of the Maori King. For some time, as we have frequently taken oocarion to point out, the signs were all pointing to a satisfactory and pacific termination of the native difficulty by the recognition by the Maoris of the uselessness and inconvenience of persisting in their policy of semi hostile isolation. The recent incident is but die completion of a tendency that has long being visible. At the same time it relieves the colony from an element of uncertainty and a cause of constant

expense, and cannot fail to strengthen the hands of the Government to whose re>olute and jnd cions conduct this fortunate result is due.