The Southland Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1001, 10 August 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1868.

Me Stafpobd, in his speech on the reply to the G-overnor's Address, did more than shadow forth the character of the policy his Government intended to pursue with respect to the native rebellion. He distinctly laid it down as being imperative that certain and sharp punishment should follow rebel depredations, and that the confiscation of native lands should be rigidly enforced, while rejecting the idea that the country was in a state of civil war. He said : — "I do not think it would be advisable to refer to isolated outrages in such a manner as would be proper if the country were in a state of civil war. We are not in a time of civil war now, and I trust fervently that we shall not be again, for I believe there are not the materials, on a sufficient scale for it ; but we may expect to hear of outrages from time to time. We have to meet the question that, rightly or wrongly, the Legislature in previous years has seen fit to adopt, a course of action towards rebellious natives which

ended in very considerable confiscation of their landed estate. The consequence of that action, whether right or wrong, must now be faced. It has engendered a spirit of disaffection and discontent amounting almost to hatred on the part of those expelled from such lands. The colony has taken that course, and cannot draw back ; we cannot get out of the Dosition that we have taken the lands and cannot give them back again." This is a distinct avowal of a policy that cannot fail to meet with the approval of all the colonists, except the few North Island traders, whose interests are intimately connected with the rebel tribes. Mr G-baham, an Auckland member, stood forward as the leading opponent of this policy, but even he had not the hardihood to advocate the giving up of the whole of the confiscated lands. When challenged by Mr Staffobd with having written much against the taking of the lands, Mr G-baham (the Premier said) had never proposed to surrender them. On the contrary, that gentleman stated that a large portion of the lands should be given back to the Maoriea. At a later period of the debate, Mr Stapfoed said " that my government and as far as I am aware those preceding it, have never originated offensive operations, but acted strictly on the principle of self-defence, and even. *i some cases tamely submitted to :'isults and injuries without number," In reply, Mr Gbaham affitmed that " he had cases felven him by natives which showed that the G-overnment j had acted on the offensive." Granted that the G-overnment did act on the' offensive in driving the Maories off their .lands in the "Waikato district, it must be borne in mind that this course arose from previous acts of hostility committed by the natives against the European settlers. Mr Graham, in | seeking to excuse the aggressive acts of ! the Maories, may be actuated by the best of motives, but he- certainly does not convince us that his opinions on the native question are such as to command the approval of his fellow-colonists. The whole history of the colony proves that all the difficulties, all the continual demands for increased taxation, and the uncertainty of life and property experienced in many parts of the North Island, have arisen from the lenient policy pursued by the Government up to the present time. However much the idea of preaching peace may be admired when a superior and an inferior race i comes into contact — however much may be the desire" "to" bring r "'savages' into obedience by the refined arts of civilisation — the time invariably arrives when a change of treat ment becomes necessary. That time has now arrived in New Zealand — the sword and the rifle must be the agency used in subduing remorseless rebels. It appears almost incredible that with the records of the bloody deeds of the Maories fresh in our recollection, anyone should advocate a continuance of the ! policy that has perpetuated a war for years, plunged the colony into almost ruinous difficulties, and proved detrimental to colonisation. For the sake of the Maori race — for the safety of the lives of the European settlers, and the prosperity of the colony — it is imperative that the war policy of the Government should now be sharp, quick, and determined. To waver in the least in carrying out in its integrity the confiscation of the rebel Lands Act would be to procrastinate the termination of the rebellion to an indefinite period. Mr Stafjfobd has done well in declaring his intention to retain possession of the native lands already confiscated, and it is to be hoped that a . that may be hereafter seized will be similarly dealt with.