ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 441, 5 July 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents,] (7b the Editor of the Patea Mail) Sin, —I would be glad if you would allow me, through your columns, to direct the attention of the settlers on this West to the manner they are being thoroughly humbugged by the false pretences of the Government. The Government have done nothing for us but that which the indignation of settlers no longer to be controlled, have forced from the unwilling hands of the Ministry. The result of our surveyors being forced off the lands confiscated years ago, was taken as’nothing; then the Maoris were allowed to plough a id destroy at Taranaki as long as they choose; but when at Hawera the settl rs defied the Government by taking the law into their own hands, and showld they would not wait till an imbecile ruler allowed them to be ruined—then, at last, the Constabulary were ordered to take the ploughing parties prisoners merely that the settlers (exasperated by having removed the Maoris twice already) might not hurt the dear pets of Sir George Grey . There is vague talk, and only vague talk, of a forward movement, but what has really been done ?

The aggressive action of the Maoris has been checked, but a great deal more must be done, and that quickly, if it is not desired that the most fertile and prosperous district of New Zealand should again relapse into a desert. While that nest of thieves and ruffians at Parihaka is not broken up, there can be neither security nor peace for any man here. Our trade has ceased, agriculture strangled, all men troubled, and the only hope of our winning through the evil day being n the hope of seeing a blow struck at, the centre of religious idiocy and political ruffianism at Parihaka, Oar ruin is as complete and certain if this is to dawdle along for months and years, as if the Maoris were to burn onr township and murder onr settlors to-night. If the people ol this Coast do not make the Government lethargy a thing to be attacked, they will find that they will get little assistance from any Government in the soon to come—days when our hungry children will cry to helpless fathers for bread they cannot give; our bread is being spent on Maori prisoners, and on office-greedy drivellers. —I am. &c., SETTLER.