Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 207, 24 May 1848, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir, — In the lust number of the Southern Cross, or Church Missionary and other Land L Ittimants' Advocate, amongst otl.er matters, the policy of prohibiting the sale of arms and ammunition to the natives, is discussed. Were we to adopt the sentiments propounded by the wruer, we would, without hesitation, urge the Governnunt to make restitution to the Maories for piohibiting the importation of warlike itores, by ordering, through bis firm, a couple of cat goes of good double-barrels, calks of powder, and plenty of musket bulls, for immediate distribution amongst them. Amends might otherwise be made— which would perhaps aniwer tbe purposes of this write* and his parly even better still — by cancelling the •' Nativp Land Purchase Ordinance," and opening up the old system of barter, which so long obtained, and which was practised b/ land speculators — clerical and lay, large companies and individuals — whereby the natives were well supplied with every implement necessary for their own extermination, as well as ours. A renewal of that much revered and beneficial system would encourage trade— a trade more lucrative to some than any in which they can now so profitably embark. *' Whatever reason there might once have been for checking tlrg money muking commerce, the continuance of such restrictions now, that we have plenty of foice in the country, is unnecessaiy and injurious ; for if they (the natives) have not arms th y cinnot think of contending with our troops ; and Great Biitain not seeing any use in keeping an army in a country where pc-ice reigns, will speedily weaken our defences and our commissariat income — then our storekeeping would become a bad game, and we would be obligtd to turn our thoughts to tilling of the soil, which would be too hard work for us ; for although we possess acres innumerable, yet it vms for otbeT purposes than culti vation that we sought after them," "It is not by disarming the natives that we can acquire their confidence — no, give them back the old halycon days of free trade in every thing— land, dollars, muskets, powder, and ball, so that they may be fitted for fair and evenhanded combat, whenever they choose again to try their hand against vi." And why not ? •' They are the most reasonable beings on the face of the earth! 1 ! •• Treat ihem honourably," by placing muskets instead of reapinghooks in their hands, " reason patiently with them," until they get into safe ambuscade, and have a fair chance of a sure aim, and after that, those who are spared " may persuade them to anything." Verily it it, a pity that the wiiter was absent from the colony daring the colony's troubles; bis reasoning, his fluttering, bis nerwiadins, his " fleeching," aye, or even his

nesmcrisine; influence at Owaiawai might have been icneficially cxereiaed, and saved us many a va'uablc lid' ! These aie the doctrines which your contcmpor»»y lolds forth to the colonists from week to week. Upon vhatever subject he writes, sucli motives as the above leem only to direct his pen 1 cannot think that he eally believes (apnrt from interest and prejudice) that t would be better that the New Zealanders should Live licence and opportunity to procure arms at their ,vill. If lie does, it is consolatory to know that he, mil the small party who he represents, are the cxe.ep* lions to the general opinion entertained in the colony, is well as cl<e\vhere. Some time before the arrival of jur present Governor, Sir George Gipps did his best to save us from the unhappy consequences of an unli mited importation of arms to our shore; snd the prohibition ordinance, passed by Capt. Grey immediately alter he asmmed the reins of government, was a step which the majority of the colonists believed should have been taken long before. * It is tiue that the natives have still large quantities of powder, £te , in their possession, the remains of that wlvch they icccived in exchange for land; hut their means ot usiny; it destructively are daily diminishing. Their old muskeb, from want of care, aie becoming unseivice.fble, and the ordi ance prohibits their repair jy turopecn hand*. Wisdom is thus gradually and ■ y a l\v iif ting the j, and rendeiing the few restless ispir ib nch -ie veiy th.niy scattered among the tribuj, morj paweiicts, and less dunnerous. Their youths cannot be trained to the use of a.ms, but will \\u\c every chance, by mingling with our rising popula* lion, of learning industry's peaceful occupations; and the nt'At pent-ration will have greater cause to praise the tli-cie.ion ot Governor Grey in withholding implements ot war from them, than the present had to laud the prudence of the sovereign who first | laced a musket in the hand* of the old chief Shongi. But it is well for the colony, natives as well ai whites, that the Southern Cross is not its ruler now. '1 ime was, when its baneful doctrines were made the basis of our policy— and dearly have we paid for the trial of many expeiimenti ot its origination. Yours.&c. An Early Res idbnt. Aueklard, May 23, 1848 __^__—