NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY TOR TUI! MONTH

APRIIT

For transmission hy the P.M.S.G, Oily of New York from Auckland on the 30th April, via San Francisco, to Europe,

MONTHLY SUMMARY,

Native affairs have absorbed public attention almost constantly during the month, in the hope that the long wished for solution of the native difficulties on the West Coast of this provincial district might bo found. The place where the disturbance has taken place is known as the Waimato Plains, which our English readers must be careful not to confound with the Waimate Plains in the Middle Island. When wo wrote last month there was every prospect of immediate hostilities, ami while we expressed a hope that war would be avoided, it was impossible to ignore the danger of a collision between the two races taking place. _ A month’s negotiations, during which almost everyone whoso name is known as a man of influence among the race, has been employed to conduct negotiations, it does not appear that the Ministry have ever made any definite proposal to the rebel chief Te Whiti, who has resinned possession of the plains and turned off all parties of surveyors who wore engaged in surveying the confiscated land into sections for sale. This land was confiscated at the end of the last war, but no steps were taken to place European settlers upon it until quite lately, Maoris, like Europeans, look upon possession as nine points of the law, and as they have occupied the land for nearly ten years since it was nominally confiscated, they now consider that the ownership has reverted to them ; or perhaps it would be more correct to say that they do not admit that possession has ever been given up by the original owners. The Native Minister, after having made inquiries into the truth of certain promises alleged to have been made by the late Sir Donald McLean, when Native Minister, has ascertained that they were only excuses for the outrage, and that no reliable testimony can bo brought forward to prove their correctness. Sir D. McLean’s high character as a man of honor was in itself enough to convince all his friends that there could be no truth in rumors accusing him of having made secret promises, and they openly stated this belief. One of the main reasons for the eviction of the surveyors was that there had been no reserves for the Maoris made on the land of which the survey had already been completed, comprising some 16,000 acres. They thought that the whole of tho land was going to bo taken from them, although ample reserves had been promised. In regard to the result of the negotiations, tho public only know that the surveyors have not boon allowed to resume work, and that things are considered to be in a very unsatisfactory state. Tho Europeans are very anxious to avoid war—tho cost of a war would be infinitely greater than the value of the land in dispute, and the colonists would gladly make any moderate concession rather than resort to extremities. Public opinion was so strongly expressed against tho sale of tho surveyed portion of the land, which was advertised by the Government when the surveyors were first turned off, that the sale has since been indefinitely postponed. The latest piece of news from the district is to the effect that Te Whixx has sent a message to the nearest detachment of Armed Constabulary, whoso headquarters are at Opunake, telling them to vacate their post, and warning all Europeans off the land in that part of the district. It is not in the least likely that his behests will be obeyed, and it is doubtful whether this order is not a mere piece of bravado on Te Whiti’s part, intended to increase his “ maua” or influence with the tribe. He is said to be posted very strongly in his pa at Parihakn, and has a considerable force, estimated -»t 400-fightiwg’men, at his disposal. His pa now contains all tho bad characters from among tho Maoris throughout the island. Hieoki, an acknowledged murderer, who has found shelter at Te Wuiti’s pa, shows himself openly before the European negotiators, always accompanied, however, by a body-guard of one or two armed men ; and he loudly boasts of his successful evasion of justice. Whatever may be the upshot of this dis turbance, it is the opinion of those who know the Maori character best, that the Maori disturbances will never be finally quelled without the employment of force, and that even if things are amiably arranged how, difficulties will again arise ere long. Sir G. Geet and the Native Minister are now supposed to be on their way to a great native meeting before the Maori King Tawhiao, who has not yet openly approved the violent measures adopted by Te White Tawhiao is known to sympathise with the action taken, but up to the present he has not actually declared in their favor. There is some doubt whether the Premier or Mr. Sheehan, the Native Minister, will bo admitted to the meeting or not. If they should bo excluded, the fiasco would be very great. It has been rumored that invitations have been sent to all the Maori chiefs North and South, but our two great pakeha Maori Ministers have not boon included. We are loth to credit the report, as it seems' unlikely that they would start for the feast uninvited, thereby exposing themselves to tho rebuff of a blunt refusal of admission.

In commercial circles complaints of the tightness of money are still general ; and latterly failures among business men have been rather numerous. Hitherto in no case have the liabilities been large, and the bankruptcies attract but little notice. The cases which go into the Bankruptcy Court are not many, as creditors prefer to make a composition with the debtor, rather than see the dividend offered swallowed up in large expenses. No large failures have hitherto been recorded in this town, and the commercial outlook is generally considered more hopeful than it has been for some time past. The latest news by cable shows that the wool market is recovering a little, in America trade is certainly beginning to revive, and in Europe the prospect of peace seems to bo more assured than it has been for many years ; all these facts taken together justify the hopefulness which has been generally expressed, and the fact that the recent pressure appears to have disclosed the real soundness of business as conducted by all our chief merchants and commercial men is a proof of our stability, and will add to the future credit of the colony when it is once thoroughly appreciated. In spite of the scarcity of money, from the Public Works Department we hear that the contracts for all works recently let by the Government are from 25 to 40 per cent, higher than they were a year ago. This increase in price can only be due to thescarcity of labor, which has caused loud Complaint of late, all material, especially iron, being much cheaper than formerly. Harvesters some time ago were difficult to got in certain parts for 15s. per day. Bondmen are earning from 9s. to 125., and the commonest laborer expects at least Bs. for eight hours’ work. If these prices seem high to English ears, it should bo borne in mind that they are probably forced np by the constantly increasing demand for labor on the now railways, and other public works progressing throughout the land; not only those undertaken by Government, but also those by the different public bodies in nearly every district. .Harbor Boards, Boad Boards, County, Town, and City Councils aro all spending money on new works constructed either ■ut of funds derived ffihn rates or out of uoney borrowed upon local security. The mmber of workmen permanently absorbed by the railways must also be con-l

siderable. In addition to these special causes for scarcity, the quantity of virgin land annually brought under tillage is very great, and when cultivated requires more labor than when merely occupied for pastoral purposes. Tho army of settlers is constantly' being recruited from the working classes, and altogether it is no wonder if our labor market is scantily supplied. In England there seems to be such an enormous superfluity that you may be glacf to hear of a good market in a pleasant clime. The detachment of 600 immigrants from Kent by the steamer Stad Haarlem arrived hero after a passage of eighs weeks, and will rapidly be disposed of. There is always an opening for domestic servants, and of this class it is almost impossible to send too many. The influx of other immigrants must be regulated in accordance with the progress of public works. The Corporation of Wellington has recently decided upon raising a loan of £IOO,OOO for tho formation of new streets, and the proposal was submitted to the ratepayers a few days ago. A considerable majority voted in favor of sanctioning the proposal, and it will no doubt be floated very shortly. Another loan of £150,000 is on the lapis for the purpose of inaugurating a drainage scheme for tho city. Pears have been expressed in some quarters lest the loan for new streets might stand in the way of tho drainage loan ; but the infant mortality is so great, and deaths from zymotic diseases are becoming so numerous, that there can be no doubt that even if tho sum required for drainage were far greater than that proposed, it would be pushed through at all hazards. The medical men in town have pointed oufr-tho danger of an epidemic, and ere long tho public may bo expected to take tho matter up seriously, and press it upon the attention of tho Corporation. The City Councillors have been disputing about the merits of two rival diainage schemes for some months, and meanwhile the death-rate has been increasing at an alarming rate. Great efforts are being made by the Commission appointed here to collect and arrange the exhibits for the forthcoming Sydney Exhibition. New Zealand failed to put in an appearance at tho World’s Show at Paris, but is determined to try and make up for lost lime, and to dispute the pride of place with all the other Australian colonies.

Home readers will remember that some two months ago a fearful disaster occurred near Balclutha, at the Kaitangata coalmine ; an explosion took place by which thirty-five men lost their lives. Subscriptions were started throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand for the unfortunate widows and children. It is now stated that over £IO,OOO have been collected, and that probably .the whole list when complete will realise £12,000. Though money in commercial circles may be scarce, it would appear that private benevolence in a good cause is active enough to induce subscriptions to flow very freely.