THE NATIVE QUESTION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 11, 19 October 1871, Page 3

THE NATIVE QUESTION.

To the Editor of The Thames Guardian, Sir,—l cannot allow the latter portion of a letter by Janies Mackay, jun., Esq., to pass without a remark or two, for which I crave your kind indulgence, in order to obviate misapprehension. Mr Mackay saj’s, 11 the head of tho Native Department must know but little of Maori custom, or he would he well aware of the fact that the visit of Major Mair and the Waikato Queenitcs condoned Todd’s murder, and is considered a peacemaking, &c., &c.” I may inform you that in the year 1860-1 or thereabouts to my knowledge Mr Mackay was an officer under the head referred to, who was then an universally recognised authority on native matters ; in fact I have, by direction of the lion. Donald McLean, who was then his superior head as well as mine, addressed letters for his (Mr Mackay’s) instruction, it is therefore strange the pupil that made such considerable progress, it is very creditable for a man to impiovehis social position and get into public favor, but that ought not to be done at the expense oL : another. I wish not to . make “ comparisons,” as they are in this case “ odious.” though I do not think that Mr McLean’s knowledge of Maori customs lies retrograded, more especially as he has made that branch (Native question) his particular study for so many yeais. The object of civilization is to protect the uncivilized, and to eradicate their old barbarous customs from their minds, thereby raising them to our standard ; not that we should descend to theirs. This could not possibly have been done had our forefathers or pioneers of new countries been of the same mind as Mr Mackay, and stayed in their dwellings for fear of becoming saturated with the barbarities of the people they came in contact with. Ihe true Maori difficulty is that bad principles have been promulgated by parties whom the Maoris respected as being of the civilized (?) portion of tlio human race, and in many instances have been led in error Tho task, therefore, of governing them now is far greater than formerly, and requires the assistance of every true citizen to bring about the desired end, instead of trying to thwart any and every policy pursued by the Govenrient. In conclusion I can only hope that the picture when finished will not be so dailc as prophesied, but that there will be light and shade to give the subject a little rotundity.—l am, &c., Edward 11. Power.