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Taranaki Herald, Volume I, Issue 15, 10 November 1852, Page 2

" Coming ovents oast tlieir*shiuloi7s before." Oh Tuesday, the 2nd inst. the Eclair brought the first tidings of the passing of the New New Zealand Constitutional Bill into a law. We cannot be too deeply impressed with the necessity of calm deliberation in every movement which the new order of things foreshadows. The changes about to come over the affairs of this settlement are indeed of a most momentous description, 'fdV good or for'Cvil. Gratifying as this all 'important fact is, it does nut come Without (he alloy which by a wise'dispensation, ever accompanies human efforts at perfection, inculcating caution, and proclaiming in langnage not to be mistaken the mutability of human aspirations. Before the ink was well dry which communicated this event to our readers the dark future had thrown its shadow over 'the prospec'tt I In another column we liave'the painful duty to record an act of unprovoked and lawless aggression against an old and respected settler by the natives of Moturoa. This is had enough, but unfortunately worse remains behind ; and however unpalatable the truth, it cannot be concealed and must not bo overlooked, that our authorities are either unable or unwilling to enforce the wholesome reparation required for the maintennnce of ordefr and justice. By 'the law, these people are n6w 'made our fellow-citi-zens, and it becomes a vital question — admitting neither of delay nor avoidance — whether or not, being clothed with the rights and advantages of civilized man, they are to be made subject to the necessary and ordinary responsibilities^ that position. The people of this settlement have long had to complain of the difficulty of obtaining redress when the natives were concerned, and also of the non-application, or partial application only, of certain ordinances vitally affecting their property. The time is now arrived when this question must be pressed upon the authorities, and the matter pursued until some efficient steps are taken to remedy the evil. Those who have been principally instrumental in elevating the natives to a social position,

must now be called on to justify their act, by showing that they are sufficiently advanced in the scale of civilization, to submit to the social rule j and become amenable for the consequences of their acts in the community to which they have been translated. Individual efforts would be worse than useless —mischievous. The people must move. Unless prompt and vigorous measures are pressed upon the Government in relation to this affair we shall look in vain for a stable consolidation of the interests of the settlement, or a safe and/quiet enjoyment of the advantages of equal lights and government.