Suicidal Policy of the Government.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2514, 26 January 1877, Page 2

Suicidal Policy of the Government.

(COKTRIBTTTED.)

For upwards of ten years has peace now reigned in New Zealand, more, perhaps, from a combination of circumstances than from any real policy adopted by those in authority to preserve it; for peace at any price simply means war in the future^ a putting off the evil day which sooner or later will arrive. The Immigration Scheme of Sir Julius Vogel was a step in the right direction, for by taking advantage of the lull in native; afiairs he offered inducements to populate the Island, which were readily responded to, hoping thereby to overawe the native population by numbers, and put an end to further insubordination. In this he was assisted by the late Sir Donald McLean, who had the means at his command, and by promises "and presents of all sorts quieted the natives for the time, so much so that they are now living in independence on the proceeds of the land, their extortions, and appointments. AH habits of industry have disappeared from amongst them ; and the idea of a native doing a day's work for a pakeha is a thing of the past. Sir Donald's knowledge of the j natives personally, and their knowledge: j that, he was entrusted with the means, gave him great advantages 5 and many a disturbance did he quell by the influence of chiefs to whom he was paying from three to four hundred a year as Native Magistrates, but Sir. Donald knew well that the root of the evil was not removed ; that the Maori King was only biding his time to make his demands 5 and that encouraged by what we had, and still would put up with, to avert another outbreak, he would presume continually upon it. He already defies ua by harboring the murderers of the island. He claims back the Waikato confiscated lands, and has set himself up in defiance of Her Majesty's authority, and we tamely submit to all this for the sake of peace r at the same time knowing well he may at any time try to put these demands into execution. It was to £uard against this that a body of picked men, many of whom knew what Maori warfare was, and will be; were selected to hold the outposts of the North

Island. These men were not only by t, their drill rendered most effective, but were employed making roads in the interior of the country under their officers. They were to be the nucleus of a larger force should such be required in an emergency, and these men, 1 say without hesitation, have tended to check hitherto the rising ambition of a few to hurry matters to a crisis!; yet for the sake of a few thousands these disciplined men have been either dismissed or discouraged by whafc is called the retrenchment of the day. I ask, is thiswise economy? Would not one serious outbreak cost the Government more than the reduction will save during the next twenty years ? Can any retrenchment be advisable which will risk the safety of the outsettler? The symptoms of uneasiness are already showing themselves: first, by the declaration that Sir Donald McLean promised to restore to them a part of the Waikato, and the taking the law into their own hands, by ordering off the surveyors ; by forbidding any vessels to enter the Port of Kawhia, and assuming an authority which the Government, even against their will must > soon take notice of. I am not an alarmist, but a long residence in New Zealand has given me sufficient experience in Native affairs to foretell that another Native outbreak in New Zealand- is just as threatening at the present moment as ever war is in the Continent of Europe, with this difference, that while the nations at home are wisely preparing for it, should it arise, we, on the contrary, for the sake of a few pounds are getting rid of a force which, if wanted, would have shown themselves equal to, the occasion. It is true we have nothing to fear ias to the final result of any future outbreak, but many a brave settler will yet bite the dust before the power of the Maori King is extinguished, and all by this suicidal policy of trying to sare a few thousand's in the wrong place. Tabanaki.