THE MAORI RACE INCORPORATED IN THE CONSTITUENCIES OF THE COLONY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 356, 29 March 1856, Page 3

THE MAORI RACE INCORPORATED IN THE CONSTITUENCIES OF THE COLONY.

It is anticipated that the future locality of the seat of Government of the colony will early engage the attention of the General Assembly in the approaching session, and as the time of meeting draws nigh, great anxiety is felt respecting the issue of that important question. There are, also, other points of difficulty upon which it appears probable the political strength of the provinces will be tried; and it would be to be lamented should any further additions be made to the many debateable subjects which already threaten to render the coming session as unpr Stable to the colony as its precursors. Nevertheless, should the preposterous proposition recently moofed in the Auckland papers, of enlisting the Natives in the constituencies of the province, prove anything more than a mere hoax —an ill-timed pleasantry—the question, however mischievous its discussion may prove, wilt have to be disposed of, though it should occupy the whole of the session. Indeed, so important is the subject, that public attention having been once drawn to it, it becomes imperative on the representatives, of the provinces, and on those of this one especially, to ascertain what are the view? of the Government as regarding such a measure, and what course it would be prepared to "pursue should an attempt be made to give it active operation. Compared with a demonstration of this description all other questions shrir.k into positive insignific-a-ice. It would involve, not merely a point, or so, of constitutional right, hut the whole constitution as far as European interests are concerned in it. While it is to be questioned whether the respectability of the Sovereign authority in the colony would be increased by the revelations which such an inquiry might bring to light. Putting aside for the moment the very transparent artifice of the protection of the Native's rights and his appreciation of the ndvantn»\2s of European civilization, Sec, the object apparent enough bejond is simply the continuance of the seat of Government at xVucklnnd ; and it is perhaps desirable that no obscurity should be allowed to rest on the views of the other settlements upon this subject. It is. we believe, the sreneral desire of the settlers of New Plymouth that the scat of Government should continue at Auckland. But. we also believe, they would unanimously repudiate any proposal to secure the advantage* presumed from su'ih a settlement by the means indicated, and do not desire that the hope' of Auckland and their own wishes should be accomplished with the aid of political jug. ■rlery in the guise of Exeter Hall philanthropy. Little more generally is known of the state of the Native population in ths neighbourhood of Auckland than what id sa the rod from the public joum.iis ot tint pnnince. But even this lit tic carries with it undubitab'e e.\Ueuce of their utt■•»• ui:litness to indertake. the r^spon^i: iluies q. citizenship ; that they an altogether beyo.d the authority of the Law; ana thai the. Government* is next to powerless to bn.-isj

them under the most ordinary control. In New Plymouth this position is well understood ; the settlers have been educated to it; but as yet they have been able to administer their own laws amongst themselves without Native interference, and desire to retain that privilege.

The first duty of the representative of the sovereign authority is care for the safety .•.nd prosperity of the European settlers, and (he extension of the civilization they represent ; and the admission of hordes of savages to privileges which they are unqualified to exercise with benefit to themselves or the common-weal, and devolving upon them duties which they do not understand, or altogether reject the practice of, will not aid that object. Neither will it forward the assimilation of the Native character to the more civilised condition of their European neighbours ; but, on the contrary, is calculated to retard their improvement by multiplying ail the elements of quarrel, at the same time, bringing the races into dangerous proximity at times of great excitement.

Broader ground could not exist to rest opposition upon than the present state of the Native question offers. The "essence of civilised institutions is the responsibilities which control each member of a community iv the exercise of the privileges they confer, and all such restraints are u'.terly impracticable in relation to the native population. Iv these districts they would ridicule the idea of being considered British subjects : and here, as in Auckland, they refuse to become amenable to our laws— will perform none of the duties of citizenshin —and are ignorant alike of its legal and poiitical responsibilities, and its moral obligations.

It is probable, as assumed, that they might be brought to the polling booth, like * flock of sheep, by bribery. It is also probable that, with or without such inducement, they might entertain the returning officer with the war dance on the slightest excitement. Is it possible that these materials are necessary to the completion of our constitutional sj-stem ? If such be the case, then the sooner we invoke Her Majesty and the Imperial Parliament to rescind the "boon they have given us, the better. It is simply absurd to talk about the protection of Native rights and interests by constitutional representation. vThey will tell you that they take care of these with musket and tomahawk. The native has adopted your customs so far as they were convenient to him, and gratify his acquisitiveness— no further. The moment you attempt to control him—to restiain 'his savnsje nature and bring him under the ordinary useful restraints of civilization — he is at bay, scoffs at your prerep-s, and defies your power. — Taranaki Herald.