THE NATIVE CRISIS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 904, 20 October 1881, Page 2

THE NATIVE CRISIS.

[By Telegraph.] (j?kom our own correspondent.) THE GOVERNMENT ULTIMATUM I JOHN BRYCE APPOINTED NATIVE MINISTER. ALSO DEFENCE MINISTER, VOLUNTEERS for FRONT to HOLD THEMSELVES IN READINESS, FIFTY NATIVES STOP EUROPEANS FENCING. Wellington, Oct. 20. A Gazette Extraordinary was issued last evening, announcing the ultimatum of the Government concerning the native difficulty. The circumstances of the endeavors to deal equitably with Te Whiti and his followers are narrated, as also their refusal to listen to proposals, and and their defiance of law and order; and the Government declare that Te Whiti must now accept their proposals or submit to the consequences, which are these: ; —Unless within fourteen days To Whiti and his adherents signify their acceptance of the terms upon which they are offered 25,000 acres of tho Parihaka block, and their willingness to submit to the law of the Queen, and bring their claims before the Commission, roads will be made through the Block, and the land laid off for European population. The Maoris living on the West Coast are warned to return to their homos to avoid being involved in working confusion, so that the Government may distinguish between those desiring peace and those whose work leads to disaster.

John Bryce was last night sworn in as Minister of Native Affairs, and also as Defence Minister.

At the Naval parade last night the men

volunteering for the front were told to hold themselves in readiness to go up in fourteen days, A telegram received by the Government last night said that fifty Maoris had interfered with the settlers at Cape Egmont, and pulled down a fence they were erecting.