PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880. MR BRYCE'S MISSION.

Patea Mail, 26 August 1880, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1880. MR BRYCE'S MISSION.

Mr Bhycb, Defence and Native Minister, passed through Patea by coach yesday, on his way to the Plains and Parihaka. It cannot be overlooked that Mr Bryce has left Wellington before the close of the session: and at a time when his presence should, in ordinary course, be important to the conduct of public business. What can be the particular matter which is so urgent as to bring the Defence Minister to the vicinity of JParihaka at this time ? Has Te Whiti invited him to a friendly palaver ? If not, is he going, and is it meet that he should go, to Parihaka uninvited ? These political conundrums arc much easier put than answered. They are like other native matters, very mysterious. It is to be hoped Mr Bryce will have a reception at Parihaka worthy of his importance and dignity as Ambassador Extraordinary. Tc Whiti is also a prophet extraordinary, an inspired loader of Ins people, a hero who would be a martyr. Mr Bryce will be representing her Britannic Majesty, and he will have an opportunity of doing it worthily. We trust this

will be so; that there will be no bumble suing for acceptance of bribes in land ; that there will be no degrading concessions, no weak and shambling promises of favors to follow ; that the power and determination of a British colony to enforce the law of the Empire within these islands will be expressed with a judicious firmness that shall for once carry conviction to the Maori mind. Governments in this colony have blustered and thoy have bogged, their policy being alternately harsh and mean. If certain reserves have been offered to To Whiti, and the Government are satisfied that those reserves arc an ample and generous provision for the dwindling tribes along the West Coast, let that offer be abided by, neither increased in fear nor diminished in anger. Do let it be shown that a pakcha Government is strong yet merciful, generous yet firm. Remove from our policy the abominable suspicion of insincerity. When our Government speaks authoritatively to the native race, let its voice bo heard with no uncertain sound, Mr Bryce has a reputation of being more straightforward than any previous Defence Minister, and his friends lament that he is hampered by weaker colleagues. Now is Mr Bryce’s opportunity. The good wishes of all unprejudiced colonists go with him in his present mission, albeit ho will be closely watched.