THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1879.

Thames Star, Issue 3342, 8 September 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1879.

The progress made at the native meeting is encouraging, and we shall not be surprised if the result be that the offenders are handed over to be dealt with according to law. Notwithstanding the remarks of the Wellington Times, referred toby n3 in a late isaue, we hold that the course adopted was the wisest under the peculiar circumstances. The adoption by the Native Minister of the suggestion of the native chiefs was a stroke of policy, for while it may succeed in obtaining the end sought for—the apprehension of the murderers—it will, at any rate, define the situation, and prepare the ground for future action,' tending towards the, opening of the lands of this district, and the breaking up of the, obstructive policy of a section of the native population. One point has already been scored—that of getting the Ngatihako hapu to discuss the matter —and if not to agree to abide by the decision of iheir peers, to at least place their friends on the horns of a dilemma. Should the decision of the runanga be, that the offenders surrender themselves .to the Europeans, and they do so, the matter, so far, end 3. Should they, however, refuse, they do so at their own peril, and cannot iook to their friends and judges to support them in a course of action diametrically opposed to their expressed opinions, therefore isolating themselves. Without the support of the surrounding tribes such a small number of mon could not reasonably hope to avoid capture. On the other hand, should the chiefs at the runanga absolve the Ngatihakoa from blame, in so doing they turn supporters and friends of the offenders, and appear then in the capacity of aiders and abetters of law-breakers, and as guilty, in a measure, as the actual perpetrators of the crime., The line of policy laid dowa by Mr Sheehan will follow that, in accordance with the native mode of punishment, he intends claiming ulu —in? the first place the capture of the offenders, and then further compensation for the injury done. Such arguments are strong ones to the native mind, and cannot fail being admitted; therefore if the chiefs of tho runanga decide the Ngaiihako did light, and countenance their murderous actions, they will owe utu or compensation for the broken law. The recompense which Mr Sheehan said he would demand was land for roads, rail waysj and telegraphs throughout this district, and we are convinced such demands he will have. From the feeling shown so far by the meeting, we are inclined to believe the result will be the handing orer of the Ngatihako offenders to justice. All the chiefs assembled knoiv quite well that it is only a question of time the apprehension of these men, and if recourse has to bo had to violent means to secure them, they should be well aware that they have everything to lose by such, and nothing to gain.