The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNEESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 211, 4 September 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNEESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1872.

It is well known that in the contest now taking place between the Government and the Opposition, the Native Minister has : proved a tower of strength to' the former, and that unless he stood loyally by bis comrades, they would inevitably be defeated by a large majority. We must say that, in our opinion, the confidence so generally reposed in Mr. McLean is welldeserved, for, to all appearances, the native policy that has been pursued for the last three years has proved eminently successful, and there is reason to hope that a better feeling has sprung up between Europeans and Maoris, which, if it continue to be judiciously fostered, imay eventually do away with all possibility of another outbreak between the two races. We know that it is frequently asserted that the peace that has been maintained since 1869 is largely, if not entirely, owing to the strong; measures adopted by the Stafford Ministry, and to the Bevere castigntion administered to the Natives at their bands, however, our object now is not to enter upon any discussion of this kind, but merely to show the state of feeling that generally exists at the present time, and while fully prepared to admit that Mr. Richmond's policy largely tended to the. establishment of peace, we cannot refuse our meed of praise to Mr. McLean for preserving it. A paper has been laid on the table of the House containing reports from officers in the native districts, and from these we now propose to make a few extracts as the shortest and readiest method of showing the existing relations between the Maoris and the settlers in the North Island. We must, of course, make some allowances for the roseate hue that these officers would, very naturally, almost unconsciously impart to their reports, but, on the whole, it will, we think, be generally admitted that they disclose quite as satisfactory a state of affairs as we have any right to expect. The' first from which we will quote is that of the Resident Magistrate at Hokianga, who says: — "There is a rapidly increasing desire amongst the people for the establishment of schools ;in their midst for the education of their young men and children in the English language, as they begin to see that without such knowledge they will hold but a poor position in the future of the colony. They appear to fully acknowledge their position as British subjects, having no sympathy with the King movement, and expressing, in no measured terras, their utter abhorrence of the actions of the rebel natives, such as, Kereopa and Te Kooti. Tbey obey all summonses and orders of the Court, and take great interest in the election of members of both General and Provincial Assemblies. LaDd disputes, which a few years since would have plunged the whole district in war, have been, by the advice of the officers in charge of the district, taken into the Native Lands pourt ? and have there been settled in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to the various claimants." From the Bay of Islands the Resident Magistrate writes : — " There exists in the minds of many among this people a desire for improvement, a feeling in favor of law and order— the full establishment or wmCh, however, mast necessarily be a work of time. It cannpt be expected that the Natives should at pnce abandon the customs of their forefathers and unanimously adopt those of another race, * * There are turbulent spirits amongst them, who, adhering, to the ancient law of the. land, will at times take the existing law. into their own: hands, opposing, as much as possible, every effort made for their improvement, and taxing, in no small degree, the patience of those who have official dealings with them j but I believe the; majority desire to see this state of things abolished an d , civilisation firmly : estub- ; lisbea7' : ' " r -".■'■'-.';:•/ """' ;;V' ..The Native Agent at the Thames .is, of. opinion' that "during the last three years the feeling of the Natives towards the Government has been steadily improving. The firm and conciliatory policy which has been, carried, out has borne good fruity and those who three years ago were rabid Hauhaus, jealous of the name of the Queen or" Govern merit,' appear [ 1 now -to ! be waiting a fit ; and proper opportunity of < gracefully relinquishing -their adherence to .: : the'King r ßarl^^'>;g^iri;;t 'C " >; f i : From? Alexandra; ther&c'omes *fb& most important o£^

braces the formidable Waikato, Ngatimaniapoto, an'd^Njgatiraukawa tribes. Mr. Mair^jthe official snys:;.:~ i^j^hiil'f B^^ altitude of the Kingites was |hrjejat6niH'§;.|but since that pjeridd th f ey Save been' 'gradually assuming a friendly tone, and now manifest a desire to come to terms with the Government. This change of feeling is attributable to irnore. causes- than one. Since- the war; an unsettled feeling has pervaded, them, and as I have heard them express it, they have become " weary of uncertaicty, and wish to build themselves permanent houses," and again, they are begining to recognise the fact that, year by year, as their supporters fall off, they are becoming isolated from the 1 other tribes. * '. * *i. * No better proof could be given of the decreasing Influence of the King's party than is "shown in a remark made by an important Ngatimaniapoto chief, who, when Mr. McLean said that they, .must not interfere with other j tribes in the matter of roads, &c, replied, "we will still try to dissuade them* but if they will not listen, we shall, leave them alone." The present conciliatory policy of the Government, while being the least expensive, has'mosteffectually weakened the King party, and has removed a great deal of the soreness that existed between them and the Europeans. At the same time it must be admitted that there are influences at work to prevent a friendly settlement. Perhaps the most important of these is a feeling' of national pride, to which may, in a great measure, be attributed their opposition to the progress of public works. When I. was impressing upon Hania Te Ngakau — one of their cleverest men— the mutual advantages to be derived from these works, he replied, " You need not tell me what I know quite well, but we oppose you in this direction because these things benefit you, in a much greater degree than they do the Maori, and each mile of road or, telegraph that you construct makes you so much stronger than us." * * * * I believe, however, that the moderate party is the strongest, and that the ultra. party must ere long give way. It is simply a question of time, and the problem will be solved by themselves, without any pressing on our part. They will, no doubt, make the best bargain that they can, and in so doing will only follow the example of civilized nations, but I am satisfied that in the end they will be content to receive much less than their first demands." ■' The Resident Magistrate at Opotiki says-: — " Hauhauism appears to be dying out, and I think the natives are now recovering from the license and immoral habits engendered by it, Christian baptism is now sought for their children by those who only a few years or months ago professed Hauhauism, and Christian worship is now the custom in many settlenaents," From Wanganui Mr. Woon writes : — " The tribes on this river are now said to be united for peace. The feeling of animosity and jealousy which formerly exhibited itself in so marked a manner on the part of so manj natives of the district towards the Europeans in general has died out, and there are evident signs of a desire on their part to live on terms of friendship with t^e pakebas, and to take .advantage of their spperior'^nowledge and Bkill,'r..and conform to their habits and customs." One more extract and we have done. The Resident Magistrate at Otaki says :— '* The Maoris on iihisj coast, are, on the whole, peaceably 'inclined, and becoming more ready to submit: themselves to English laws than formerly, {jauhauism and Kingism are fast dying out, and it is\ reported khat HenareiT/Q- i?erekau,Wchief of Ngatiraufcawa^ .intends, on the, opening of,: a large Ruhanga^ house in the Un^ r Manawatu, to formally., .^.l on professors of Hauhauism to give up the superstition, which he is sanguine will begone,''. The reports from which we have taken the above extracts, and. which are, generally speaking, ,ably drawn up, .. refer , atfsome length' not only to the political aspect of Native affairs, but also to the moral and physical condition of the, Maoris, their attention or otherwise to agricultural pursuits, and to the progress of public works undertaken hy them^ but we have, onlv selected such quotations' as refer to the former subject. >' ; Mr. A: Mackay, of Nelson, ' contributes a lengthy report on the condition of the natives in the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough, and the County of Westland, and as there is much in: it of local .interest, we'prppose to- ; morrow Prefer to^t-figparately;!;^ ;: ■