THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1881. THE NATIVE TROUBLE.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 170, 2 November 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1881. THE NATIVE TROUBLE.

14 Words are things, nnd a drop of ink falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which make* thousands, perhaps millions thimk. '

NoTwirasTANDiNa the difference of opinion reported to be existing between His Excellency, and his Mi- j nistry with regard to the course be- j ing pursued by the latter towards the Natives, a firmness is being exhibited which commands the admiration of the Colony at large, and does infinite credit to those at the head of affairs. So soon as the Proelation was issued, preparations were commenced for any emergency and now, by time the fourteen day& have lapsed, wo shall be ready for the result, be it hostilities or othe: - wiße, and iiv'ica<ior.s are not wanting to prove that the G-overn-ment intend'adhering most firmly to the terms of" that ultimatum. Whatever shnuM be the result of the present movements, be it war or not, we feel sure the Government are backed by the bulk of the Colonists, and their actions highly approved of. Should hostilities be the result, there is at present no reason to believe that any but the disaffected tribes whose lands have been* confiscated, will take part. The Maori King is said to have ppoken m contemptuous terms of Te Wirnu and his action*, hut liltl* attention may be attached to him, them is no honesty m either he or Te WuiTf; at all events it wo.ul<l be wrong to put faith m them. We filial I look for the result of next Saturday's communication \vi(h Te WiiTTr, arcl his reply to the terms of the Proclamation with deep interest. It is hoped that the large force now assembled on the Plains will have the effect of bringing them to terms, and saving further trouble; but as we have said, no dependence can be placed :n the Maori, and the Government express themselves determined not to be trifled with any longer. The population of Taranaki have suffered great losses m times past, by the Natives, and now are they threatened by the same troublesome tribe. Many people imagine that the arrest of Te Whtti will effectually silence the distui'bers of the peace, but we do not think co. The policy now being 'pursued by the Prophet would almost appear to be that of allowing himself to be arrested, or at least to allow Mr. Betce to make the attempt, but no man can tell what might then take place, and therefore we commend the Minister m the highest terms for the defiant position he has assumed. Eeports from the front are

mo»i euiiili:"' ir;g, mi? flay we aiv told f)'.; XaHvfH are sulky, the next they are cheerful, draymen and settlers are in terf erred with on the Plains ; the whole is like a well mnde salad, the bitter mixed with thp sweet, vat, all this time thefourtaen days of grace are goinc; by. Will there be war, is the question of ten asked? The only way to solve tho problem is to await with patience the passing of the period named, then there will be an expedition for the capture of Te Whiti, or he will have declared peace, at present no one pretends to know his intentions, or how he will play his cards.