THE NATIVE WAS

Southland Times, 23 December 1868, Page 4

THE NATIVE WAS

lif times of great excitement it ltf difficult to calmly review current events'; we are prone to form hasty conclusions, and rush into action — to condemn with* out consideration, and embrace doctrines that might prove false and injurious* This appears likely to be the case in New Zealand at the present time. Th* position of the colony is undoubtedly bad, politically and socially. . It haf to bear too heavy a burden jof taxation arising from the war expenditure of the past, and ft is called upon to increase that burden in order to stamp out another native rebellion. The atrocities that have been committed by the Hauhaus have naturally aroused a spirit of indignant disgust ia the minds of every European colonist, and created a thirst for revenge. Ia this state of excitement it is not surprising that the G-eneral Government should have been censured for the policy * it has pursued, for the blindness it appeared to show during the sitting of the Assembly, to coming events. Still, •■- --we cannot but condemn the conduct of those who would make political capital out of the short-comings of the Govern* ment on this occasion. Whatever may be our political differences; however much the Separation of the two Islands may hi desired, for the present change 'it V impossible • and it is the duty of tk# whole ofthe colonists to support tiie Government in its efforts to punish tiie offenders and restore peace. That Mr Stapfobd and his colleagues, for a time, refused to recognise the danger that loomed in the future is patent to all, but it is equally as patent that they have at last realised their petition and accepted their responsibility. The recently received intelligence from the Seat of War, though not satisfactory, is reasuring. The Hauhaus have been checked in their mad career of murder and rapine, and the colonial forces, with: the friendly natives, are steadily pushing forward, and if not gaining any signal victory, are at least improving their position. The Government is now evincing a determination to carry on the war with spirit, adopting measures which should have been resorted to long since. The task the Government has before it ii so great and complicated that every allowance should be made for any shortcomings that may be observed. In prosecuting this war the greatest care is required least the feeling of indignation against the rebel Maories shonld lead to acts of injustice towards the whole race. Public meetings have been held in Dunedin, Nelson, and other places, to express sympathy with the North, and urging on the Government more vigorous action. Thes e meetings have for the most part, partaken too much of a political ' charater. Censure of the General, and the Imperial Governments, and demands for the extermination of the Maories, or the abandonment ofthe North, have beea too conspicuous. These assemblages have an evil tendency. They serve to enlighten the Hauhaus as to our weakness, aflTd dishearten those friendly natives who have fought bravely and faithfully on the side the of Europeans, by the expressions of mistrust so freely uttered. The colony has undoubted reason to complain of the selfish and ungenerous conduct of the Imperial Government. c The policy the Stajtoed Go- v vernment is carrying out is calculated to command success, and it is the ;, imperative duty of the people to strengthen their hands, and not encourage public meetings, that mean nothing more bhan giving party politicians the opportunity of taking a fling at an antagonist, md political mountebanks the chance of being written about in Provinces in which they are unknown as public men. The Otago meeting was a fitting. illustration

of this. The Government was charged with a want of ability, energy, and judgment. "Whatever failing Mr {Stafford may have ; however great hia mistakes may have been in dealing with the Native difficulty, there can be no doubt he has the prosperity and honor of the colony at heart, and he is now adopting a course as bold and promising as could be desired. Copious extracts will place our readers iri possession of the principal events that have occurred during the month. The following telegraphic despatches appear in the ■' New Zealand Sun,' : — "Wellington, December 14th. v Colonel "Whitmore telegraphs that the expedition is completely broken up, and that the Natives are returning home for the present. He says that the "immediate followers " of Mr M'Lean among the Ngatikahanguna are sulky, but that the Ngatiporou are in good spirits, and willing to do all that is required of them, either now or hereafter. They would pursue the enemy, who has disappeared in the .direction of Mainga Powatu, if thejr could be supplied with food, which is "impossible under existing arrangements. Mr Eichmond sends the following, which, though putting the best face on matters, is not very encouraging, and if a proof of the grave mistake made in withdrawing the force from "Wanganui .- —-" Turanga, December 11th — I am quite j clear that we must concentrate and strike | on the "West Coast first. Affcer making observations here, I see that converging operations to be successful require long preparation. I will leave this district in a condition of defence, and let Colonel "Whitmore take off all but 40 men. Dr Pollen should send every man he can spare to Wanganui without delay. It will be time enough in four or five months to strike at these eastern Hauhaus, if we inept with success against Tito Kowaru. I am trying to get the land question settled, and to reassemble the old aefence force to hold a post. I propose to establish also a Ngatikahungunagu and a Ngatiporou post on each side of that occupied by. the Europeans. The Hawke's Bay men (Tareha's lot) are obstructive, but they leave to-day, when I hope the land difficulties will end. The local natives are-Very tractable by themselves. I hope to come south with Colonel Whitmore's meniiat all events I shall not linger to go north. — J. C. Eichmond. — To Colonel Hanltaari." __ rumour was circulated on Saturday of a dissolution of the Assembly being imminent. This has to-day swelled into the report that a difference has taken place between the Governor and the Ministry, ending in the resignation ofthe latter. The Governor is certainly desirous of sending for troops from Australia, and Mr Stafford had a long interview with him yesterday. The rumours, however, are generally regarded as canards. They have excited considerable interest, from the fact bf Mr Haughton having publicly stated something about a dissolution, which was at first thought to be confirmatory. Wellington, December 15th. A telegram received from Mr Eich-mond-reports that 100 Hauhaus were at Big Eiver, a few miles from Turanganui. They were pursued by Colonel Whitmore, and in the skirmish which took place, Sergeant Eeed was killed. The enemy also lost one or two. This shows the danger to be greater than was anticipated in Mr Richmond's telegram of yesterday. He does not mention any more murders having been committed. The Charybdis has arrived here from Wanganui. Captain Lyons states that there is no news from the Front, Tito Kowaru having made no sign lately. Captain Lyons says that he visited the Front, and considers the alarm with reference to Wanganui to be somewhat exaggerated. At all events, the danger to the -town is not immediate. [Thefollowng private telegram from Wellington has been handed to us for publication: — ] A letter (panui) from King Tawhiahimself haa been received by the Hauhau natives at Eangitikei, Otaki, and other places. Itis to the same effect as the one received in January last, viz., that the sword is to be sheathed, &c. A messenger has also brought a verbal message to them, telling them to remain quiet.' The Princess Sophia sent a letter by the same messenger, saying, " This is the year for all Maories to sleep." Mr M'Lean reports that the total number of the enemy killed up to date on the East Coast, exceeds 100. Captain Tanner reports that 60 rifles and large quantities of ammunition were taken from Te Kooti. He adds that the enemy is badly off for food, and in great distress. Napeeb, Dec. 15. Yerhal news was received yesterday thafc a fresh raid had been made by Te Kooti, but it is scarcely believed. The Sturt has arrived here from Turanganui with Mrs Wilson on board. A number ot the Constabulary had been put on board the Sturt for conveyance to Wanganui, when firing was heard: It turned out that a raid had been made by 100 mounted Hauhaus, *vho had exchanged shots with the natives under Ihaka. Te Kooti had previously threatened to attack the redoubt, but was ' treated with ridicule. j Colonel Whitmore followed, but did not succeed in overtaking the enemy, who was met by a small mounted party of our troops. Shots were exchanged, and a sergeant of Constabulary and two or three of the enemy killed. The men were again landed from the Sturt, which came here for ammunition. Bbc left again this morning with 50 kegs. It is feared that the war is yet far from being ended. Several of the settlers who have been missing, prove to have been out shearing. .*--■-