THE STANDARD. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 103, 8 November 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 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.”

The arrival of the Basilisk in the waters of Poverty Bay is regarded as rather a significant fact by those who are supposed to be well posted in the political movements of the present Ministry. Indeed the planning of her whole cruise is one adapted to the double purpose of reconnoitering and reporting to the Government upon the wants of the places visited, and of proving to those of the aboriginals who have revolutionary proclivities that there is a power afloat ready at hand to co-operate with the land forces in the maintenance of the position it is considered advisable to take with reference to the tribal and agrarian questions which just now are operating with a baleful influence on the native mind. A timely exhibition of strength will sometimes have a salutary effect in reminding the disaffected of the probable consequences of an open disloyalty. The assertion of a given power ready to be employed in the defence of freedom and the maintenance of right, is necessary and proper if too much reliance be not placed on the moral effect likely to be produced. That such an effect has already resulted from the visit of a man-of-war—the entry of a formidable flotilla to the Turanganui river; the expeditious landing of blue jackets, marines, ami field pieces, and the sham fightwhich followed—is apparent from the conduct of the natives themselves. Capt. Porter, as representing the Government, did his best, probably in obedience to instructions, to obtain the presence in town of a large body of natives to witness the proceedings, and, if need be, to take part therein, at any rate as far as a wardance was concerned. Their almost entire absence—there being only a few stragglers in Gisborne —guides us to at least one moral effect which the Government should follow up with decisiveness, and from which a valuable lesson may be learnt. The natives would not respond to Captain Porter’s invitation from a suspicion as to the exact nature of the Basilisk’s visit, and the possible consequences of danger to themselves, under cover of a doubtful friendliness. According to that officer’s opinion,—and also to Mr. Skipwortii’s—the natives were really alarmed at what they believed the hostility, not to say murderousness, of the invitation. These gentlemen, who really displayed great tact and energy in partially allaying suspicion, and were the chief instruments in obtaining any native demonstration at all, attest with much circumstantiality to the existence of a belief in the minds of the Maoris that the hour of reprisal was at hand, and that judgment was come upon them for their recent misdeeds, and opposition to the Government during the last few months ; and it is entirely to that belief that we may attribute the breakdown of one of the great features in the naval programme. As we have said, too much stress must not be laid upon this particular circumstance. Moral impressions never take a very deep root in the Maori mind. It is not a characteristic of their race to hold in veneration the precepts of a rule superior to their own unless compelled to do so from physical The fear which deterred the natives from coming into Turanganui, lest harm should befall them, would vanish so soon as the cause which produced that fear had departed ; and we very much doubt, if circumstances again transpire, — which they will do—affording opportunity to oppose the Government, whether there will be found a single native to desist, from a remembrance of the Basilisk’s visit and the parade which followed it. But in view of the fact that these natives are conscious of having done wrong, and that it is possible to establish a wholesome dread of consequences, we say the Government should follow up the advantage with firmness. The politico-naval demonstration which caused so much pleasant stir and excitement in Gisorne, was intended to prepare the way for the peaceful

solution of the Deed of Cession difficulties by the Commissioners expected to resume the sitting of that Court next week, and the cruise of a man-of-war up the Coast at this particular period, may materially aid the cause of the colonists if the Government do not fear to use the power it undoubtedly possesses. The Basilisk is the pioneer of a new system of periodical visits which the Government have very wisely determined on inaugurating. Excepting perhaps Auckland and Wellington, the colony sees too little of England’s men-of-war. New Zealand, as a Dependency of the British Crown, forms part of the Naval Station of Australasia; its Governor is also Vice Admiral; it would, therefore, be productive of much benefit if short visits were paid to every port in the colony at stated intervals ; especially would it be so to us in the North Island, and we are glad to find that the Government contemplate carrying something of the sort into effect.