THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1168, 14 January 1880, Page 2

THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

The Wanganui Herald has the following :—" Speculation is exhausted in finding a reason for the removal of the Maori prisoners from Wellington to Dunedin and Hokilika. Were they not secure in Wellington, or could they not have been made so ? The secret will come out some day, but their action appears full of mystery. Dr. Buller complains bitterly that faith has not been kept with him in removing the prisoners without informing him of the intention; but it might not have been prudent to acquaint the natives or their counsel beforehand. It would be premature to express any decided opinion on the matter. The responsibility of bringing Te Whiti to terms rests with Government and rose-water diplomacy is out of the question. What the public have the right to demand is prompt action, for it was on this ground that the late Government was condemned by the members who are now entrusted with the execution of a policy of vigor, a policy which these Ministers have been preaching up and down the country. The removal of the prisoners may be the first step in the line of action, and we expect daily to hear what the next step is to be. The people on this Coast are suspicious that the Major's tall talk is going to end in blank cartridge, and that a vigorous policy is moonshine, but they will be undeceived before the end of the present month."