Untitled

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume III, Issue 3, 20 April 1863, Page 1

By reference to a letter we publish to-day, in reply to a communication of Sir George Grey to the Natives of Taranaki, in relation to the lands of Tataraimaka, about which so rnuch has been said and written, our readers will observe, that tjiere are just reasons for concluding, that His Excellency will he able, without delay, to effect a satisfactory arrangement. The Ngatiruanuis and Tarariakis have long been regarded as a fierce and quarrelsome people; the general fear, therefore, was, that an attempt would nave been made by them to retard tji e movements of, the authorities, webreference to the immediate re-opcupation of the deserted, by t]ie sailers ,:wan • Tbese nowhappy to:find, are groundless. Some supposed . .tfiait .the .trses at Taranaki would liave contented themselves by

sullenly looking on ; but they appear to be strenuously exerting themselves for good, advocating the restoration of all lands ceded heretofore to Europeans, in consequence of being impressed with a conviction of the justice and good intentions of the ruling powers towards them. " 1 am not willing that my blood should be shed on European land," says one of the animated speakers, at a meeting held for the purpose of discussing the question relative to the Taranaki settlers re-occupying their farms; nor " will I allow myself to be a tool in the hands of the 'tribes," said another speaker, who understood l that the Governor had made no demand which the Maori would not, in all honesty, approve. The Ngatiru anuis and Taranakis have in this matter acted simply as all right minded men should do ; for it must he borne in mind that it is no concern of theirs, as to when or how the settlers are to be put in possession of their farms. It must be owned, however, that the conduct of the Natives in this affair is highly praiseworthy and will doubtless gain them many friends, who look at things in their true light. The time was, when the Natives of Taranaki aud the settlers lived in the bonds of common brotherhood, and it is to be hoped, that the time has come for laying aside their differences, and for their union again in interest and heart. The language of both Maori and Pakeha may differ, but the law of.kindness cannot; and its accom panyments, the principles of justice, can render their associations peaceful and happy. If the law of mutual hindness be exemplified at Taranaki, where recently there was the effervessence of distrust, malignity, heartburning, retaliation, and all the other

elements of deadly war, may it not be reasonably, expected that the same law of mutual kindness, brotherly feeling, and healing influences, will soon prevail throughout New Zealand,