THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5693, 28 June 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —Writing just three weeks ago I ex-, pressed an opinion that “ decided action,” in the shape of an immediate display of force, should take the place of “ undecided talk” in reference to the native difficulty on the Waimate Plains. At that time I believe such views were considered rash and dangerous. I think, however, that events have since proved that, as is often the case in actual warfare and in the state of things immediately preceding it, boldness is the truest prudence. I feel convinced that had the Government armed and organised the settlers, and placed a force in the disturbed district at once, the natives would not have resorted to acts of aggression which have tried the patience of the settlers almost beyond endurance! It is to tho admirable courage and wise forbearance of the settlers themselves, and not to the Government, that the thanks of the country will be due if war is averted. They threw away the most splendid opportunity that ever presented itself for settling the native question for ever when they paltered with Te Whiti about the surrender of the murderer Hiroki. Men with the hearts of Englishmen and the brains of statesmen would have tried the question of peace or war upon such an issue as this, instead of waiting till Te Whiti could base his cause upon one involving considerations affecting land, on which he could count upon the sympathy of his race, and might hope for some division of opinion among ourselves. As it is, a Government which seems to recognise its own inability to govern, has waited for its initiative from the settlers of Taranaki, and now, when at last it has begun tardily and imperfectly to do its duty, arming the tattlers with imperfect weapons, and perhaps sending them up some of that antiquated ammunition which it bought at double the market price to oblige an Auckland friend—such tension exists that at any moment the bonds of peace may snap asunder. Contrary to the unanimous opinion of Maori experts, I do not even now consider war inevitable, but the merest accident may cause it, and the chances of such an accident occurring are greatly increased by the determination shown by Sir George Grey to pose as the “blameless knight” of New Zealand history. It would be amusing, were the situation not so serious, to imagine that astute old gentleman calmly reading the telegram of the Hawera settlers “offering the ultimatum of the Government or us taking action,” and carefully refraining from giving any advice till action had been taken, and then “ wiring to Major Brown advising the very course which had been previously adopted.” This beautiful coincidence as charmed the settlers that in the innocence of their hearts they “forwarded him a vote of thanks, and asked for immediate reinforcements and Sniders.” I quote from the telegrams published in the Wanganui Herald, and if I do Sir George Grey an injustice, I can only regret that dates, his own character, and his telegram to Major Brown warrant the inference. lam not sure that the vote of thanks was altogether due to bucolic simplicity, for to a charge of “greenness” made by a friend of mine, one of the settlers remarked that “they thought if they did not flatter Sir George he might prevent their getting arms.” Butter is one of the products of the country, and tho transaction may have been purely commercial. In these times, however, to have a Premier with an unlimited capacity for " butter,” is a source of more serious political danger than appears at first sight. The egotism which induces a man to do anything to gain the applause of the mob is also apt to assume the form of that moral cowardice which fears censure above all things. To act from a high sense of duty, to feel that power and responsibility go together, is impossible to a man with whom personal power and personal reputation hold the first place. To such a man it soems the height of . wisdom to make himself safe, and so to act as to gain credit for the success caused by tho efforts of others, and avoid the discredit of failure. Hence the “ sweetness and light” of Sir George Grey’s telegram. Cut up into sentences it would make an admirable series of texts for copy-books in our State schools. Moral, mild, and meaningless it must have been singularly irritating to its recipient. It will save the Premier some trouble if on the next occasion on which his advice is asked for in similar circumstances, he will content himself with copying that given by one Dogberry to the watch :—This is your charge’; you shall comprehend all vagrom men ; you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince’s name. Sec. Watch : How if a will not stand ?

Dogberry : Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go ; and presently call the rest of the watch together and thank Heaven you are rid of a knave.

If we cannot have sense, let ns at least have Shakspere, and let the Colonial Treasurer balance hia accounts out of the proceeds of the unsold Waimato Plains, and out of the undeserved decrement of the West Coast lands.— I am, &c., Economise

■Wanganui, Juno 26,