The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4407, 17 February 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1883.

In our telegraphic columns will be found a communication from Napier describing the burning in effigy of the Native Minister, which took place there last night. It is only a few days since we referred to the unwisdom of the people about Gisborne and Napier acting in the manner they are doing. * The injury the colony may suffer through the consequences of their impulsiveness cannot be estimated, and no matter how much their bosoms may burn with indignation at the thought of the murderous Te Xooti being pardoned for his misdeeds, their common sense must tell them that all the demonstration in the world cannot have the effect of re Yoking that pardon. We are not disposed to coincide altogether with the acts of Mr Bryce, but it is quite impossible that that portion of the country in which the slayer lived could be dealt with while the amnesty question remained unsettled ; amongst the people. After allowing Te 1 Kooti a liberty of 15 years, it would have been a matter of some difficulty in securing him without running a great risk of a strong native resistance, which might hare culminated

in a serious disturbance, and. hare prerented the success of the negotiations being carried on for the opening of the country. Altogether, putting aside the question of the justice of the Minister's action—which is allowed generally to have been a politic one—those excited people must see upon a moment's reflection the folly of lashing themselves into a furious condition of impotent rage. Their wild declamations and stupid behaviour will have no effect on the object of their wrath. It may place the natives more and more on their guard, and throw obstacles in the way of the Government dealing with those from whom the native lands are to obtained. Of course a man has a right to vent his private feelings, whether to his personal detriment or not, if he think fit to do so, but where those expressions of feeling interfere with the rights ot others, or endanger another's property, they should, by force of law, if necessary, be restrained. The harmless allusion to Mr Bryce being "the first white man who had shaken hands with the archfiend Te Kooti for fourteen years," is very unlikely to hurt anybody. Certainly we are rather particular who we shake hands with, but a stroke of policy does not halt at a little bit of sentimentalism which may be required to render it complete. We repeat our desire that those who so violently and in such silly terms endeavor to snow their disapproval of the Government Act, should restrain themselves, and not do that which may be to the detriment of the whole colony, the northern portion of it particu larly. The example they give the natives is not a good one. The Europeans have been endeavoring to instill ideas of peace and harmony in the native mind, and here we have a lot of misguided people acting in a manner worthy of a lot of excited Maoris. It is to be hoped' that no more of this puerile behaviour will be heard of. No possible good end can be served, and the amount of probable harm to be done is incalculable.