The Native Policy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 148, 31 May 1883, Page 2

The Native Policy.

SLANDEItfiSTG :BDCyN^EST JOHN. 0 [Hauraki Tribute.] • /? j What value are we to put on tHe passage of Mr Bryce through the King Country ? According to the lettera^and telegrams of the pi ess correspondents the. whole progress woulcT have been a triumphal one had -there been anyone there to see it. ■ On the" other hand, it is said that Mr Bryce, has-— and we confess the circumstance to be strangely m accordance with wtiat \we?'.personaltyknow of the Native Minister's proceedings, — entered into a written compact with Wahanni that no roads orfrail- , ways sh&U go tbrough the chief's land without his consent. .We are 'not possessed, of ,any admiration : for Mr Bryce as an administrator of native affairs., He r is a thorough adept iri all the duplicity and cunning; of- the Maori, and adds to it a narrow-mindedness that is ast6uudrag m a man occupying the position that ;he does: We do not," however, for a -moment believe that he has entered : into any such written agreement is that, attrabuted to him. He blundered into a position with reference to Maori affairs that only the: greatest gobd v 'f6cWe prevented from being r calamitous m the present position of -the 'colony. The natives understand quite as well as Mr Bryce does that "he has a million of money to spend on a railway through the -■ King Country '; thai he ! is "anxious to spend it; and will be prepa ed, to make very* considerable concessions" be enabled- -t> do- ' koi 5 - Ifeje'inn'oceiit and unsophisticated 'savage are thercjfore giving «' honest John" .a hand, at his own game of thimble rig, and" when they have got as much, money onjs. of him as they-oali,'' : wiU" f 'glv« :: '^vaji r '' :i;; v^e should very iriubh like to see a true account of the saras which have already passed into ttie ! hauds-of the 'natives as solatium during Mr Bryce's administration of native afF-iirs. We are satisfied'that none of the alleged^ extravagance' of Mr I'Sheeaan's administration would be able to, hold a candle to it. I .