The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5279, 25 February 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1878.

It is nearly time that the Premier should give up playing, at being Governor, and should condescend to practical business. The public doesnot grudgea reasonable holiday to Ministers after the labors of a protracted session, and so long as the relaxation taken is harmless and not very costly to the State, it does not much matter in what manner it is taken. Some men like to take their ease at home or in the country, some like sport, others society ; some men again are so greedy of work that they despise holidays altogether. To Sir George Grey the pleasure of parading as the man of the times and of exhibiting in public for a brief moment the trappings of high office—the gratification of talking platitudes to applauding crowds, and of enjoying the society of dependents and flatterers—these delights make up for all other enjoyments—and although he used to rave in more or less indecent language about the use of this Hinemoa by the late Government on public business, we do not intend to grudge Sir George Grey a temporary use of her as his private yacht but we do insist that his amusements should be harmless/ and that they should not be too long protracted. So long as he confines himself to explaining to the Wairarapa electors the risks public men incur from the propensity of Governors to get rid of their predecessors by slow poison, or to telling the Auckland electors how the whole colony was under the tyranny of a few Canterbury runholders, there is not much, to complain of. It is far better that he should be thus employed then in getting up quarrels with the Governor or advising his Excellency to veto Bills passed under the auspices of, his own Government. But the masquerade in the King country is not quite such excellent policy. It is due to the late administration of Sir Donald McLean that the Maori kingdom has gradually become more and more incapable of mischief. It is owing to the effects of that administration that the visit made by the Premier to Tawhiao was, possible. But Sir Donald McLean would; not, through eagerness to make a display of his influence over the Natives, have been guilty of such a blunder as has lately been committed. He never tookastep in negotiation with the Natives, without weighing well the consequences (remote' as well as immediate) ; and his intimate acquaintance with Maori feelings and customs enabled him always to maintain a friendly, but firm and dignified attitude towards them. But what are we to expect from the precipitate visit of the Premier to the so-called Maori King on his own ground without an object, and on such conditions as the Maori chose to impose? Unfortunately all this foolish procession to the King country, and tho more foolish talk ensuing cannot be got up for the amusement of the newspaper readers during the “ silly season’’ without ulterior consequences. The end of the Maori difficulty that was near has been postponed again for an indefinite time. Tho Premier of the colony, who allowed himself apparently to be addressed as Governor by the natives, has paid his visit, has been told to come again bye and bye, and that then they may talk about business, and in the meantime has been called upon, and agreed to recommend the pardon of the Maori murderers. Does not everyone know that the business to be dealt with on some future occasion will be a demand for the cession of the Waikato, and perhaps the pardon of WxNIATO, who lias been excluded from the present batch of pardons. What nonsense the ' whole business in, and mischevious, nonsense too. We shall not be surprised now to hear of some fresh insolence on the part of the natives, which will retard the good understanding so long hoped for, and so important to tho interests of both races. The dignified policy hitherto adopted was tolling on the disaffected Maoris; already they were; wearying.bf-their isolation, and many of them wore inclined to disregard the limits that had been placed by the King on the intercourse : between the races. Rewx had come to farm on the northern side of the aukati line, and Tawhaio himself would soon have come in to make reasonable terms in a reasonable manner! But, as long „as. he can keep the Premier of the colony trotting across his boundary line to strike attitudes and ; to talk baby-talk, we will back the chief against the Minister to maintain his dignity. The Maoris must have beoii irresistibly reminded bn this occasion ot that former, visit of Sir George Grey’s to the Waikato, when he posed in an attitude which was supposed to represent grief for the death of Potatoxt. Probably this visit will leave to a quick-witted race

as mucl(;;:cause for joke anff laughter as that farmer one. But it is to be hoped sincerely, for., the 'sake !of the-colony that his colleagues will compel the’ Premier to refrain from such exhibitions as mucli as possible. Mr.' Sheehan ; knows a good deal about, the natives,'and, although he has ho great prestige with them, he has too keen a sense of the ridiculous, both from~an'English. ■ and*■a Maorr’point’' of view, ,tp, commit himself unnecessarily. While, he ;is Native Minister he should administer native aff»irv, and„ be held specially responsible for the conduct of them. We can hardly suppose that he is satisfied to be taken about by Sir George Grey like Mr. J. O. Brown and his other .familiars. The’natives in Hawke’s Bay are very much dissatisfied at the inconclusive interview- with Sir George Grey when hfl was bn his way to Auckland, and they will certainly expect to have a more satisfactory explanation of the policy of the Government towards them. They have been fed for some time on vague expectations and they are looking for solid results. In, other parts of the colony there are native questions open which must be dealt with early and in an intelligible manner. The Native Minister must take them up himself, and let the country understand; that he has the reasonable control of his own department. If it is necessary for the Premier to have theatrical exhibitions let the performances be conducted in English before English audiences; then they will do no harm. But at any rate there are heavy arrears of work waiting for him here at Wellington, and it may not bo' unreasonable to expect that the current business of the country should be attended to. A little less claptrap about his own merits- and his love for humanity at large, and a little more practical attention to the interests of the people of this country would raise Sir George Grey in public estimation.