HARD TO CONVINCE.

Patea Mail, 24 October 1881, Page 4

HARD TO CONVINCE.

The Lyttelton Times of the 18th says—Before accepting the alternative of war, the public of New Zealand must be satisfied that the war is just. The responsibility for the shedding of blood is very great. It can only be incurred, it is scarcely necessary to say, for the gravest reasons. In our case, what are the reasons which are sufficient to justify a war with the Parihaka natives ? They are the defence of peaceful settlers, the protection of the honor of women, the repelling, in a word, of bloody aggression upon our territory. But in the present case, none of these reasons are present to appeal to our patriotism. No hostile band threatens any of our fellow colonists, no scourge of invasion menaces helpless women and children, no towns are doomed to destruction,' and no property is in danger of devastation. Patriotism has absolutely no excuse to ruffle its feathers and put on the crest of war. Why then are soldiers burning for the fray, bayonets getting ready to remove into action, orators spouting of chastening the natives, and newspapers calling aloud for the ultima ratio ? The answer is obvious, and disgraceful to New Zealand as a nation. The reason for all the commotion of tongues and gathering of arms is earth hunger.