New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4354, 4 March 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1875.

It is satisfactory to know that the prompt action of the Government, in.the Opunake dispute, has had the desired effect of putting a stop to the unpleasant demonstrations of violence, in which a few unruly natives had been indulging. It is from small beginnings, like that at Opunake, when unskilfully handled, that trouble has more than once arisen in the colony. There is little danger now, however. The natives perceive that the Government are quite in earnest, and that while Ministers are ever .ready to redress any real grievance, of which 'they may have cause to complain, they will, on the other hand, 1 enforce the law. '■

This affair at Opunake bears testimony to the altered times on thq West Coast; Indeed, it is a remarkably practical comment on the state of native affairs all over the colony from what existed a few years ago., What is now a simple police;case, summarily dealt with, u would then havb assumed the proportions of a hostile demonstration; to be repelled by force, involving, most probably, a large expenditure of blood and'treasure! No 6he can reflect upon the change that has taken place without feeling thankful that the reign of law has begun in earnest, and that every trifling dispute between the races is hot referred to the arbitrament of the sword. There is no room, however, to doubt the fact that it would be quite possible for unskilful hands again to embroil the country in war with the Maori people. The .utmost, caution is still necessary in. our dealings with the. 1 Maoris. They are naturally a suspicious race, and the long years of hostility, ! that have prevailed have undoubtedly left their trace in native feeling., It is but natural, that it should, and !therefore' a great'deal Jiof allowance should be niade for little ebullitions of temper, in the enforcement of a supposed right; as we have lately seen at Opunake. V ; While saying this; however; we by no means justify the Maoris in the course they took, nor do wo offer any opinion oh the merits of the case. If they are aggrieved, the Courts are open to them-a fact which they well know, and therefore their violence is inexcusable. The law certainly does not oppress them when they invoke its aid ; and unless these natives were badly advised, which is by no means improbable, their taking the law into their own hands is a palpable admission of the untenable nature of their claim. Be that as it may, the law must he upheld everywhere throughout the colony, and the sooner the West Coast Maoris understand that the Government mean to do so, the better it will be for themselves and their European neighbors. Mr. Parkis being on the spot is a guarantee that no indiscretion will be committed ; and the telegraph enables him to consult the Native Minister on any difficult question. But wo should certainly be pleased to see Sir Donald McLean on the spot, or within easy distance of it, because wo think ho might succeed in removing the objections that are urged against completing the telegraph connection with New. Plymouth, and finally open the through traffic along the, West Coast, without fear of further interruption. Wo are peri fectly aware, however, that the Native

Minister is not übiquitous. He has had much more important matters t attend to in the North; but these completed, the removal of the Opunake clitn culty would almost complete the specie work .which has been pressing JJP public notice for some time past. T. would then only remain the Iking country to open. Ohinemuri, its easten gate, having been flung open, the western approaches by Kawhia and Mokau ui doubtless soon follow. The mine™ treasures, and valuable timber, ana ric agricultural land, will not disappear, ina question can afford to wait; but tie Opunake question, as we ■ have called i , really cannot well remain unsettled, is a bar to settlement and .free travel, entailing hardship on the well-disposed ot both races. Wherefore, we say, it is big i time the obstacle was removed. It is not that it is a great deal in itself, bu that, petty as is, it keeps up a constant irritation which is by no means conducive to peace or friendship.