The Invercargill Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 7, 23 November 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963.

On .the 3rd of Novomber, Mr Fox made a statement of the Ministerial policy in the House of Representatives, which seems to us to be very satisfactory,.and not likely to call forth much opposition. In regard to native matters, it is clear, determined, and comprehensive. No weakness is shown,, no philoMaori -tendencies exhibited. The ( Ministry -accept the grave responsibility ; of quelling what is properly termed the rebellion, > thoroughly and effectually * drawing the proper distinction between the Maori nation, carrying on a war with a foreign power, and a section of that people in arms as rebels against their lawful sovereign. To quote his words — " We are not prepared to make peace at all. This is not a war we are waging — it is an insurrection ; and when that insurrection ceases, we shall cease in our efforts to put it down, but not before. I have always considered it to be one -of the most fatal errors committed in reference to the Taranaki war, that the natives were treated in the public documents, not as subjects in rebellion, but as enemies — a position in which they could not legally stand,: and which must necessarily involve any Government in the greatest amount of difficulty in adjusting the subject of dis-. pute ; because if yes admit that thenatives aTe in a position to fee enemies, you admit at once that they have bel- ( figerent rights which, by the law of, nations, are granted to-enemies, and you! accept all the consequences.'' * * *; " Our business is to enforce obedience ' to the law; and if any M aeries, or tribe of Maori es, wishes te be restored tb peaceful relations with the Govern- , ment, it must be done through, and only through, submission to tlie law? Such a policy puts the matter on a 1 different and far better footing than it has ever been before. The' force af - present in the colony for the suppression of this rebellion, appears to consist of 9629 civilians, well armed, and und^r training ; and of Queen's troops at present in the colony close on 7000, and 3000 shortfy expected to arrive, , making a total of 10,000 nien. The colony has also provided three steam vessels, the Pioneer* Avon, and Sandfly, or Tasmanian Maid. Of Queen's vessels there- ape four, large ships of war,- and a small gunboat. With siich a force, an able General to command, and a Ministry determined to cooperate witb, and assist him* in 1 every' way, it will be strange if the rebellion is not soon extinguished.' The 7 rebellion suppressed, Mr Fox purposes taking some' substantial guarantee that such scenes will not, again occur— tt at the 'peace, will be lasting — prompt and thorough; submission to the law . enforced — to effect which he proposes establishing villages, " held upon a certain description of military tenure, .armed, and 1 prepared to defend- themselves, and planted in such "positions as the Government may consider . most desirable for meeting its military exigencies," To .the 3000 military volunteers already introduced, it is intended to enlist a further number of 2000, and bring ont from home 15,000 men, principally agriculturists, to be located under something of the militia or volunteer principle. To meet the expense for the military defence of the colony, and of the assisted immigration, it is proposed in the first instance, to raise a loan, to' be paid off ".in whole or in part, by the sale of the whole or part of the land now in the hands of the rebellious natives. A sufficient potion of ; land will' be taken to defray the .cost ,to "which we are put in suppressing the rebellion," This -is as it should be; we have always advocated that as the Maories rebelled in the face of every concession, of every inducement to keep the. peace, . they ought in justice to be punished, by the confiscation of their/lands to defray the expense of reducing them into submission. A - principle} moreover, in strict accordance with the enstom of the natives thems Ives, a ' conquered tribe invariably surrendering their lauds to the victors.

The following^ while being strictly just, is particularly satisfactory to the population of the Middle Island. ' " If the portion' of the lands available for -that purpose should riotyprove sufficient to extinguish jthe whole of that loan, then we lay it down. as an absolute principle that the balance shall be allocated between; the different Provinces which had derived direct and permanent advantage from that expenditure," which' advantage he describes as the constructing of roads, establishment of population, etc. As regards 'responsibility in the administration': of Native affairs, Mr Fox urges the House to accept that responsibility, the time having now arrived, when it could do so with perfect safety, justice, and advantage to the interests of both races, and thereby restore a cordial and friendly feeling between the Colonial and Imperial Governments, obliterating the feelings of irritation which at present .exist. As regards the government of the Middle Island, Mr Fox's Ministry seFms desirous to -do everything in their power to lessen the evils which have up to the present time undoubtedly existed, of being governed from a distance. They bring forward a plan by which these evils, in their estimation, are to be remedied, if not totally abolished . failing, which they ara quite willing to accept from the Middle Island any better scheme. Mr Fox's proposition - is the appointment by the Crown of a Lieutenant-Governor for the Middle Island, with a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Solicitor, "after the fashion of the machinery that was adopted by the Canadas some time ago." This it appears to us would answer well; the objection that the Lieutenant Governor would still have to wait for instructions on important mat- | ters from head quarters, situated at a distance, will be in a great measure met, when the Electric Telegraph connects Auckland with the Bluff: which we trust it will before long. In connection with the establishment of superior courts on the goldfields, Mr Fox states the Government have in contemplation the appointment of another Judge for Southland, whose duties would also entail a circuit of the goldfields ; " and who, being a Judge of the goldfi -Ids Court, may dispose of all cases of a weightier class that may occur within his jurisdiction.'' As regards the alteration of the Land Regulations in the various Provinces, He disclaims any wish on the part of the Government to dictate to, or interfere with the various Provincial Councils in any plan they may devise for alienating their lands ; suggesting that any new regulations which may be passed by any of the Provincial Councils should be submitted to a Committee or Committees of the House for recommendation as to what should be done. On the whole Mr Fox's exposition of the Ministerial policy is, we would imagine, satisfactory to the North as well as to the Middle Island. Taking a determined stand on all matters connected with the Native question, they are prepared to adopt the policy as regards. the government of the Middle Island/which the majority of the members from that Island deems most effective and beneficial. As far as we are concerned, the conduct of the ■ Miini-Jtry, up to the present, has been fair and just. Stewart's Island has been annexed, a Resident Judge promised, and we trust that in the apportionment of the general revenue to the different Provinces, our claims to a share, equivalent to the position we have attained, and the amount we yield to that revenue,will be allotted. The Mirffsitry, it appears to us, has all the elements of durability ; if it carry out what Mr Fox has so well promised, it will deserve the confidence and support of the country.