THE STANDARD. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 78, 13 August 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1873.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right*: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

Practically, and for all the purposes for which it was appointed, the Commission, under the now celebrated Deed of Cession, has, so far, been an utter, and (we cannot help writing the word) an ignominious failure. The Commissioners —Messrs. Rogan and Munro—arrived here on Sunday, the 3rd of August. On the following Tuesday the Commission was formally opened, and almost immediately closed again through the absence of some one to represent the Government in properly objecting to the insertion of the names in Crown Grants of any natives who had forfeited their allegiance by espousing the cause of the Hauhaus. The Court adjourned to Friday, from which the sitting was again postponed (without opening) to Saturday the 9th.

On the Commissioners taking their seats, it was announced that, independently of there being no Crown advocate present, there was really no business before the Court —not a single claim had been presented ; and a number of claims that had been prepared, had been sent on to Mr. Fenton’s office for registration; but whether or not these claims had reference to business connected with the Native Lands Court—some wilfully adhering to the belief that the Commissioners are sitting as Judges under the Native Lands Act—we connot say. At any rate the Commissioners announced that there was no business before them. In the meantime Henabe Matua and some two or three hundred natives, crossed the river, and, as an opposing faction, took up a position opposite the Court-house. Here he and his party discussed the nature of a correspondence which had been carried on between them and the Commissioners in reference to his objection to his friends appearing in Court in answer to the Government’s invitation. One of his objections was “ That the Court-house “ was too small,” and he mildly suggested that, as such was the case, the Commissioners should wait upon him, on “ the “ village green,” where all could hear. Of course the Commissioners did no such thing ; but suggested in reply that if a chosen number were sent as a deputation they (the Commissioners) would hear them at 2 o’clock. This was indignantly rejected ; and after many expressions of contempt for both Court and Commissioners, Henare raised his hand in token of dismissal, and the business done on that day was nil I We have chosen to put this much into prominent type and position, so that the Government may not lose sight of the somewhat considerable stake that is just now being played for — the natives winning, and we losing as usual. There is an opinion abroad that the absence of Mr. Locke — who, the Commissioners were advised, was to have been present — is the result of a settled plan in the minds of the Government to leave the settlement of this question entirely to its “ own “ operation,” that is, they do not intend to oppose Hauhau murderers, and schismatic rebels, in their claims to have the very lands handed back to them, (under the Sign Manual of the Representative of Her Majesty, against whom they have fought and rebelled) which were ceded for the express purpose of proclaiming them outlaws. If such be the case, matters certainly are assuming an alarming phase ; but we will not anticipate. We care not, too readily, to proclaim the existence of an evil of so great a magnitude as is involved in the possible abandonment ot the settlers of this over-troubled district, in the hour of their greatest need, by the Government. But look at the matter how we will, ten thousand blunders in any other field of New Zealand politics might well have been excused had the humiliation of the past few days and its consequences, been spared. Henare Matua believes that we dared not to proceed with our business ; that the Commisioners were afraid of his loud boastings ; and this most unhappy conjunction of misfortunes will be the means of endorsing the belief which they have created. We look to the end with some anxiety.