THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Southland Times, Issue 995, 31 July 1868, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

(TO THE EDITOB OS THE SOUTHLAND TIMES.) Sib, — I quite agree with you that it is high time the Maoris were " taught . a lesson they would never forget." But it appears to me that unless a different policy to any yet adopted is pursued b) both "the Imperial and Colonial Governments, nothing will be done equal tc what is required. The British Government has just spent £5,000,000 in order to obtain the release of a score of British subjects who were imprisoned in Abyssinia, while scores of British subjects in New Zealand are being slaughtered without an effort on the part of Great Britian to punish the murderers. It appears to me, Sir, that the Maori war will never be ended until some such men as Sir Eobert Napier, or Governor Eyre, the hero of the Jamaica rebellion, are intrusted with the task of suppressing the rebellion, unshackled by Colonial or Exeter Hall interference. I believe Sir Eobert Napier, with two thousand of his Indian troops, would finally settle the native difficulty within three months of his arrival in the colony. Is not this suggestion worthy of the consideration of the Government of New Zealand, and the Imperial authorities. If another million of money is required to terminate this vexatious rebellion would it not be better to face the emergency boldly, instead of going on for years spending hundreds of thousands of pounds in carrying out a policy that has proved to be perfectly useless ? It appears to me that until some such men as those 1 have named, who have had experience in fighting savages on their own ground, are commissioned to conquer the Maori rebels, no permenant peace will ever be secured. I am Sir, Tour's, &c, A Havelock Man. Invercargill, 29fch July, 1868.