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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5234, 1 January 1878, Page 2

We have heard a good deal of the native policy of the present Government, and are anxiously awaiting the show of blossoms which ought shortly to burst forth from the promising branches of the colonial fig-tree, the fruit from which it is to bo hoped will be duly gathered by the Native Minister, and bo stored in the Premier’s garner. On the Grey Ministry assuming office, we were shortly afterwards informed that “ the empire was peace,” in fact that Tawiiiao was only waiting for an interview with Sir George Grey, and the lion and the “ lamb ” would lay down together." We at that time ventured to differ with several of our contemporaries, wo having taken steps for the purpose of obtaining reliable information from the King country. Our contemporaries then doubted the accuracy of the telegrams, and some members of the House of Representatives went so far as to question the correctness of the translations of the messages received. Now what is the result ? The Premier and the Native Minister, who were reported to have been invited to attend meetings at Te Kuiti, are not going there, but will return to Wellington after stumping Taranaki “en route.” This is very interesting to behold, and shows that Sir George Grey is not prepared to grapple the difficulty “ which may at any time and without warning arise with the internal foe ” of the European race in this colony. On the other hand, how does Tawhiao conduct himself ? According to the last accounts he has published a manifesto that ‘‘ he is like a calf tied up to a stake, the mother of which strays away to feed, but through maternal instincts returns to suckle its offspring.” And he says that such is the case with the Maori race, who, although feeding on what they can at present procure from the Government, will on a future occasion return to him and aid him against them. We do not for a moment suppose that Tawhiao intends to wage war against us, but think he still desires to keep aloof from the Europeans and retain if possible a Maori imperium within the British imperio.