Arms to the Natives.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3218, 12 June 1879, Page 2

Arms to the Natives.

The Star t commenting upon the report that during fhe late Native meeting arms were Bold.to^tbe^ativps, says :- rt , r , This statement *» calculated to arouae feelings of,-uneasiness. Without arms and ammunition the .natives would not begin and cottld not sustain war; and their supply 1 of- these munitions is entirely under the control of Europeans. A stringent enforcement of the provisions' of the' Arms' Act is a better security against native agression than all the arts of Native Office diplomacy The late Kaffir. .Wjir has been attributed' wholly to the relaxation of prohibitory regulations which were framed after the experience ,of .earlier .troubles to stpp the traffic in arms and ammunition. Wholesale smuggling carried, on with impunity, and to the knowledge ot the Capo Government) cost Britain dearly in blood and treasure 1. The demand which preceded the Zulu War was one for the disarming of Cetewayo's people, whose hostile 'attitude-, presented a<, consent menace to the bordering colonies. The Zulus' stores of ammunition were acquired principally by native labourers on 'the diamond fields and through Portuguese traders. In New Zealand the Maoris cart only obtain arms through the laxity of the Government 3ah'd the; rinscrupulouaness of Europeans ;an<f anything tending toshow that weapons to be used hearafter against the colonists are, through the indifference bf the Government,'! finding 'their way*. into the'han^ls^ofitatives would be one of the most serious indictments that could be brought against the Ministry,