SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND TAUROA.

Southland Times, Issue 1007, 21 August 1868, Page 3

SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND TAUROA.

The ' Wanganui Times ' is responsible, for the following : — Some fortnight ago Mr Booth went to W^llingtou, and took with him Tauroa, a chief whom Colon3l M'Donnell then held, as a kind of hostage for the good behaviour of his tribe. On being introduced t<* the Governor, Tauroa expressed sentiments of loyalty, to which Sir George Boweu is said to have replied nearly asfollows: — "Tauroa, I accept your professions of loyalty and offers of friendship, but at the same time advise you that any tribe in this colony that perpetrates atrocities similar to those recently committed in the Eatea district, I will consider it my duty to pursue and exterminate. You, Tauroa, are at perfect liberty to return to your people, and with them join the Hau-haus and fight against us, but if you do so, you and your people must stand the consequences. I want no Natives to assist in putting down rebellion. With a European force I will pursue and -exterminate atrocious murderers. If you wish to join those men you may do so, but if you take my advice you and your tribe will remain strictly neutral." With that caution and advice Tauroa withdrew, and since his return has freely stated the result of his interview with the Governor. Thanks to Sir George Bowen for that manly and straightforward declaration of policy. Had the native race been firmly dealt with years ago they might be saved from the exterminating process to which Sir George Grey's policy has subjected them. In mercy to both Maori and European we trust that Sir George Bowen will firmly and permanently establish British supremacy over the length and breadth of this Island. Then, and not till then, will both races of Her Majesty's subjects live in peace and harmony with each other.* A pusillanimous policy is, for the native race, an exterminating policy which, meantime, hurls ruin upon the colony.