THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

Southland Times, Issue 1144, 19 April 1869, Page 2

THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

(From the ' Taranaki Herald/ I -■ -. . J Although the Colonial Secretary only • condescend eel to acknowledge the receipt . of the letter from the Speaker of the Provincial Council, enclosing resolutions, he has been courteous to His Honor the Superintendent, and gone rather out of his way to tell him what the <? Stafford- / Richmond Native Policy," really consists _''j of. The letter is as follows ■':— : ' : " : " Colonial Secretary's Ofßce. " Wellington, 19th March, 1869. " Sib,— l have the honor to acknow, , tedge the '.receipt' of your letter pf the , ? sth iustant, enclosing copies .of .resolutions intended to have been presented to the Grovermnont by -the deputation, on the subject of the present state of in She Province of Taranaki. r? X desire to express the deep, sympathy *which_ the .-j Government feels for the inhabitants of Taranaki, in the painful circumstances in \v,hich they have bfeen^ placetf W^fee , recent. loeiittinunees J i The lOoverhin^it f has promptly taken Buch precautions as the means at its disposal would admit of, for the protection of the inhabitants of

Taranaki. The colonial forces stationed there have been increased to 400 men (including forty-five natives), and it has been left to the aufchori ties on the spot to determine, as occasion may require, from time to time, the distribution of the force, and the manner in which it is to be employed; " The Native policy of the Government has been steady and consistent, that policy being in fact to encourage education and industry among the peaceful and loyal, and not to interfere with those natives who desired isolation and Remain, inaggressivef but to meet all iheir advances frankly .arid .iiberally; to hold out the hand of friendship, whenever an opportunity of doing so with propriety occurs ; and to meet a sincere return to loyalty with prompt generosity, and at the same time to punish, as far as possible, outrages such as the late murders. On these principles the Government proposes to act, and will unite the utmost patience on the one hand, with the resolute use of every power at the disposal of the Colony on the other, for the restoration of peace; — -I have &c, "E. W. Staffoed, , " His Honor the Superintendent, 11 Taranaki." j