THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1871.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 12, 20 October 1871, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1871.

In tlie House of Representatives Mr. Reader Wood asked “ whether it was the intention of the Government to prevent out-settlers in exposed outdistricts from protecting themselves by force against armed aggressions of rebel natives,” and instanced the case of Mr. Walker, a well-know T n Waikato settler, who recently had his cattle driven off his run. “ Mr. McLean replied that the Government would not permit individuals to enter into broils which might bring about serious occurrences, nor would they permit natives to commit outrages with impunity. Other Ministers said the land was in dispute, and in such cases the settlers must forbear and forgive. They should endeavour to settle their disputes by compromise.” Here again we have a nice specimen of the policy of the Government, There is not the least doubt but the settler will not be permitted to defend himself. It, however, seems highly probable that the natives are likely to commit outrages with impunity, for they have only to say it is done because of a dispute about land, and the settler must forbear and forgive. The British lion is now becoming remarkably tame and certainly exercises a very large amount of forbearance, but settlers will not for ever practice this heavenly virtue. The word “ give” is no doubt very appropriate, and has doubtless two meanings. First, that the settler is quietly to give up his property to the first native who disputes his title to the land: and secondly, if anything more serious is likely to arise the services of the Native Department will be called into requisition and flour, sugar, blankets, jews’ harps, &c., will be given to the amiable savage, which the settler will in the long run give back to a paternal Government in the shape of extra taxation to support the Native and Defence Department. When will the colonists of

New Zealand awake from their apathy, or has the “ composing pill ” been so carefully and thickly gilded by that astute physician, who crossed the American continent to procure it, that they exclaim with the sluggard, “a little more sleep and a little more slumber,” and heed not the ruin to which they will shortly be awakened. “ Natives will not be permitted to commit outrages with impunity.” Was not this the great advantage we were to enjoy under the Fox-Vogel-M’Lcan Government—did they not enter into office with the expressed determination not to carry on expensive wars for which they blamed the Stafford Government; but still they would not allow murders and aggressions to be committed by natives, but would put all such down at any cost ? What has been done to bring Todd’s murderers to justice ? Nothing —but on the contrary that crime has, as seen from a Maori point of view, been condoned by the visit of Major Mair and the friendly natives to Tokangamutu. Here, however, the policy of the Government is consistent with views expressed by the other Ministers—- “ virtue is its own reward,” for was not Todd’s murder caused by a dispute about land. Does not Matutaera claim Waikato, and dispute the title of Queen Victoria by conquest to the same. Matutaera was, of course, carrying out the law of re-entry on the premises after his own style ; and the settlers must forbear, and “ give” up one of their number without a murmur, because of the ministerial policy.