THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1879. THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 39, 7 May 1879, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1879. THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

"\\ ouls are things and a d^op of ink fulling like dew upon a thought, produces thnt which makes thousands, perhnps millions think."

Tnrß principal matter which is at present crjraginsi the attention pf both Press and public is the state of Native affairs m the North, and wMlp the 'Ministerial organs arc belauding the action pf the Government, Ihp Opposition iournals are ehaiging jt nith culpability and meompetency. Hitherto we hnve steeued an independent uourse, Willing tn give the Ministry praise when credit was due to them, and steadfastly refusing to censure where no censure was deserved. At the eleventh hour tho stop has been taken w-hioh should have been adopted at the outset of tho difficulty, and the revelations made by Mr. Maotj at. the Natiye Commissioner appointed to negotiate with Te Whitu and his crowd, amply show what nfl utter farce were the visits paid to the discontented chiefs by Mr. Sheehax., At, the celebrated horero which took place between him |and the, s>rch-rebel, the contest seemed to have been harrowed ' down to a duel of vituperation, tho champion of which bc^me, consemipnfly. elevated m Maori estimation. It has b^en stated that Mr. Mackot's intervention has cost the country no less a sum than £1500, but large _a? that 'amount appears, the information gleaned is well worth the figure paid for it. the flnly matter next for consideration beine whether a fitting- and proper use will be made of it hy the Government. That gentleman, going to the 'root of the matter, first heard from .the Natives themselves their several causes of complaint, and then tested their ac-nraey by personal reference to Mr Parrts. Mainr Bnowx, nnrl others The result of his ptamina tion was. that he discovered that not only had the malcontents arood cause of snevanoe, but even the Friendly Natives, men who had nobly stood by the Ghvernm«nt m the past, had been treated with the basest ingratitude and th'e grossest injustice. Scrip had been given them and lan«? promised them, but no legal^steps were taken taVcure their grants, and a-s a consequence, repudiation had been the order of the day. As mm Fnendlv Native metaphorically described if- " I am, as xt were, standing upon tho seashore, not knowing whether the next wave may cast rae up upon dry land, or sweep me out to destruction." These are tho Chief's own words, and given to ourselves from Mr. M\cka.y's own lip«. As an instance of the almost incredible sway and command N which the rebel fanatic:, Te JWmTiT, has over the minds of even Motives beyond his own tribe. Mr "Mack ay informed us that, duiing his recent visit, he came upon a Maori who had been brought up m his father's house, and upon wl\om r he looked almost as a fosfer-brothe.ll. This poor fellow, Itnvine the remembrance of old times b^rp his mi ( nd. be,s/)uscht and implored Mr. Mackw to separate himself from Pnkehas. for whom there wns a terrible retribution m store. When rprtroafhed Jlliat he^ who had Keen a \vhtte man m all but blood, should allow the B«'oundrpl, Tb Whttu, to corrupt hi«» minrf, he would only redouble his impJoratMxnH, and repent that T:n Wfitit Vas rigW, and the Piiltphas would be «w(»pt oft Ibe face oF Hip earth.; tha \1 te beine further symbolised by very denoting destkuctum. The Government have now certain claims placed bi'foiro the.lll, j\nd- V>cliovos Iheni to carry,.gat the \yovk ewSaf* moueed by their Gommiswoner. Having appointed Mr. Mackay, and hit report b.Ling U'lifie^ by si\ch meiij as JM^r

Partis and Major Bnowx, let his suggestions be immediately put into effect. Tardy #s the justice may be, let it be done; aijd so impress upon the Native mind that, m all their dealings with the Maoris, the Government will deal equitably and honorably. Give thfiin every (ioneessibn, and grant them every acre to \rhieh they are legally entitled, and being able to take up a just stand, let there henceforward be no drawback, Much, of-the present difficulty arises f pon) the fact that the Governments of thepa st-Teiegatedvepy important duties to officers who. m many cqses, never ■put them into effect. For instance, cer.tain verbal instructions were given by Sip 'Don ald <MoLe4.Nc to - Mr. Pabbis and others, and they,- m their "turn, made' certain /promises to the Natives with regard to the re-occupation of confiscated grounds. No official record was kept, &n & no\f> number of blocks, which for years the Natives have looked upon as theirs., fire claimed by the Government. This should not be, and if any promises were made by the Native Office through its authorised; offiuials, they should at all hazards be honorably recognised- The lesson njay ;b,e a dear one, but it i« far better that a loss should, lie suffered than that an injustice should be done. Let every b'ona. fide claim be recognised, even if the anticipated revenue of the disputed land be lost, and : having thus taught the Maori tliat we maintain our honor ; at any sacrifice, next take up , our rightful stand, and stick to ik We will have then taught him how to respect us ; and with a cleap conseienoo^Tf it became neoessary.-^-we could teach him how to drpaxlus. j ■