THE DEFENCE POLTCY WHICH MR. FOX SHOULD HAVE CARRIED OUT, BUT WHICH HE DID NOT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 113, 7 April 1870, Page 6

THE DEFENCE POLTCY WHICH MR. FOX SHOULD HAVE CARRIED OUT, BUT WHICH HE DID NOT.

We ("Wairarapa Mercury") may suggest, or roughly shadow forth, what might be done.

A chain of stockades, along the frontier of the settled districts of the Waikato, within signalling distances, from

whence might issue at pleasure flying columns, to distress or overcome the enemy, and provide guards for working road parties. Let a similar chain of stockades protect the frontiers of Taranaki, Whanganui, and the district of Tauranganui. And where there are odd farms or stations, beyond the best line of frontier fixed upon, should be abandoned under compensation. When this is done, and second only in importance, every friendly Native dismissed the Government service to their homes with thanks ; added to this a regular system of passports— for without a passport to be duly vis6d, both coming and going, no Maori, whatsoever be his creed or party, should be allowed within the outposts. Regulations could then be framed to seize and stop effectually the supply of arms and ammunition to all Maoridom. alike.

This simple policy, if carried out with a steady economical wisdom by our present Ministry, would find strong support, for the end would be in view, and with the sure confidence of being now, and for all future time protected from sudden and bloody raids, the people of New Zealand would be well content to let " the heathen rage " and break his head, if it pleased him, against our frontier lines ; for these being well appointed and guarded by a steady force, not even the smallest or the largest band of hostile Maoris could pass inside, and live.