BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 3 July 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

Our Mutual Improvement Society put in a more respectable appearance on Monday evening last than upon a former occasion. The debate which took place created a good deal of excitement. The Maori rebellion being the question of the day, both in the House and out of it, it is interesting to know what is to be done with the " noble savage." After readings from Mr. Alex. Cormack and Mr. T. ¥. Morris, the chairman called upon Mr. M'Lelland to open the question, "Is it necessary to ask for Imperial troops to quell the rebellion ? " Mr. M'Lelland, in opening the question, said the confiscation of the land of the Maoris was a blunder, and there had only been a succession of blunders from that time to the present ; and we had failed to convince the Maori that our power and military tactics are equal to theirs ; and until that were done, the war would drag its slow length along. He threw overboard the self-reliant policy of the late Governments, reviewing the policy of the greatest countries of Europe, who, in their intercourse with the world, did not believe in a self-reliant policy; and if these great countries sought the moral and physical assistance of each ather, how was it possible that a petty state like New Zealand could maintain that policy ? If we did not get the assistance of the mother country in this extremity, he thought there was nothing before us but ruin ; but he could not believe that the nation which spent eight millions of treasure to liberate sixty persons from the power of an African despot would refuse to aid her own people in this desolating bush warfare. Mr. W. D Morrison followed on the negative side of the question. He deprecated war, and

contended that we could maintain our ground by peaceful means. He went into the history of our disputes with the natives, and attempted to prove that we were in the wrong. He said the natural disposition of the Maori was that of good will ; that they were noted for their hospitality, and were a highly civilised people. Mr. T. E. Morris would address the meeting on a neutral position. He could not en- ! tirely agree with the idea that the Maories were a highly civilised people.' He thought the best way to civilise them was to shoot them down ; every other plan, whether religious or moral, had failed. The Grovemment were as a lot of tailors and. shoemakers, and need we wonder at a succession of blunders which followed ? Mr. J. Cormack expected to have heard from the mover something of the history of the dispute. He did not consider that the prisoners who escaped from the Chatham Islands were actuated by malice, or they would have shot and mutilated their keepers ; but as soon as they landed on the shores of New Zealand the hue and cry was raised against them, and they were pursued, more on the principle that they were wild animals rather than human beings. He would support the negative side of the question. Mr. James Keppel made by far the most .damaging speech on the affirmative side of the question, and raised the point that we had no choice in the appointment of Governor of New Zealand, that functionary being the nominee of the Crown ; and the Imperial Government were bound to correct and redeem the errors of their nominee. He could not see that we were able to cope with the Maoris without Imperial assistance. The gentleman, on the other side had not answered Mr. M'Lelland at all. \ He conaidered that gentleman had , began where he ought to have begun ; that we were in war, but the other side had shirked the responsibility of answering how we could get out of it. The chairman (Mr. John Carey) here put it to the meeting whether the debate was to be adjourned, which was carried. The essay for next Monday will be brought forward by Mr. John Cormack. The chair will be occupied by Mr. Gilbert Ealtson. It is well known that Mr. A. B. Matthews has been officiating for some time as one of the local preachers in connection with the "Wesleyan body, and that he has acquitted himself well, and made considerable progress as a preacher, indeed Mr. Matthews is deservedly popular, and has gained considerable renown as a speaker in addressing social gatherings. I am glad to learn that at the district meeting of the Wesleyan body, held at Lawrence on Monday evening last, Mr. Mathews was admitted as a local preacher, having graduated with honour. I congratulate Mr. Matthews on his success ; and I congratulate the local brethren on such a respectable and talented accession to their number.