“COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOW BEFORE.”

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 146, 28 November 1868, Page 4

“COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOW BEFORE.”

To the Editor of the Marlborough Ex-press. Sir, —I do not wish to be thought an alarmist, but at the same time I think we should not shut our eyes and ears to things moving about among our Maori friends. Reports are circulating that the Maoris of this part of the Middle Island lay claim to land of some kind, which they say has not been bought (as far as I can understand) from the right tribe; and that they intend to demand either the payment or the land. Now, if such is the case, rumors of which I must say are vague, I think it is only right that we should be prepared to investigate the matter, and be prepared to defend our rights and homes ; for if the Government have not paid the Maoris, we have paid the .Government, and we ought to place ourselves in s.ucb a position as to show the Maori that if he attempts force, we will meet his match. We might bear in mind that we are not dealing with men who understand mercy or humanity, but with those “ whose tender mercies are cruel. ” We shall have to deal (if we do at all in light) with such as show themselves in the North ; and to such, who would preach mercy —who ? ‘ Our Government appear to me to be most criminally supine; infatuated to such an extent as to be regarded as our enemies instead of our friends and protectors ! lam credibly informed that the Maori women are cleaning and sharpening their spears and tomahawks in the pa at Wellington under the very eyes (if they have any) of our Pseudo Government. If such be the case, I say, what can we expect here ? It behoves ua to be carefully on the watch, and prepare ourselves for what may happen ; and if we do have to deal with our dark-skinned foes sharply, let there be no “mercy,” but as their spear has made women childless, so shall our guns blot them from the earth. Yours &c. L.

[Burlamaqui, in his standard work, entitled “The Principles of Politic Law,” speaking of the duties of sovereigns, says, “ Let the safety of the people be the supreme law ; this maxim ought to be the principle and end of all his actions. ” And again, “ Lastly, in times of peace, to be very attentive to the designs and motions of his neighbours.”—Ed., M.E.]