Confiscated Reserves.

Patea Mail, 7 January 1882, Page 3

Confiscated Reserves.

Rumors of intended confiscation np this Coast are published with some show of authority. We hare made inquiry, and can only learn that no definite plan of confiscation is yet fixed by Government. We believe that up to Wednesday the matter had not been considered at all by the Cabinet. Yet it is probable, from the nature of the case, that the natives will be mulcted in some fine for the cost of suppressing the late and long-brooding rebellion at Parihaka. The fine is dne to the colony as a political and equitable right, to be enforced mainly for reasons of State policy. A lesson must be taught, and forfeit or fine should follow in this case with rigid certainty. To advance and then draw back is political fooling. To permit rebellion and not to punish it is cowardly and dangerous statecraft. The fine in this case should be in land, to be deducted from the previous excessive grants which had been offered, and had not been acquiesced in by natives of the Parihaka district. There can be no confiscation of land which had been Crown-granted, nor of land held under native title outside a confiscated area. Land on this Coast occupied by natives is held by virtue of official promises, which need confirming by Crown grants. Sir W. Fox has completed most of these grants ready for issuing ; and the Parihaka block, with reserves at Oeo and Opunaki, remain to be dealt with in the same way.