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Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3972, 21 September 1881, Page 2

The remarks of the Maori members of the House in reference to the state of affairs on the West Coast, have an air of truthfulness about them that cannot fail attracting the attention of readers. The probable loss of harbour expenditure at New Plymouth may have caused interested persons to see the desirability of keeping alive the interest in the Garden of .New Zealand, and to secure, if not in one way then in another, the expenditure of large sums of public money. This is an old game in New Zealand, creating scares either of native disturbances, starving unemployed public, &c, and like many old games, none the worse for being frequently played. The remark of one hon gentleman, that if there was any real danger the settlers on the lands near Parihaka would not show that fearlessness that now characterises them, was a very true one. We hear of none of the settlers coming into town, or any danger threatening life property, if we exclude a few fences in the latter-class. It is well known that Te Whiti has ever counselled peace while directing protests to be made against the action of the Government in taking portions of land claimed by him on behalf of his tribe. His last speech is a little more warlike, but nothing to cause great uneasiness, or calling for extraordinary measures. The Premier stated that the Government were prepared for any emergency, and were upon their guard, and such an assurance should bet

sufficient to allay any excitement that may have been stirred up either in New Plymouth or throughout the colony.