NATIVE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 349, 12 September 1868, Page 7

NATIVE WAR.

Once more comes news oi* disaster arising out of the native troubles, and on this occasion we hear of some of the bravest officers that ever trod New Zealand ground, falling as sacrifices to the accursed natives. It appears that a second attack onTe Ngutu-o-te-Manu was made by Colonel M'Donnell, but on this occasion the rebels were well prepared, having no doubt been well warned by the so-called friendlies, and the result has been the most serious loss that the Colonists have as yet sustained. Poor Yon Tempskey, than whom a braver man never drew a sword, has met a soldier's death, and it ; will be joyful news to the Hauhau rebels, to whom in past years he was a terror and a scourge. Captain Buck, a gallant fellow who also was a dread, has fallen. Captain Palmer who was not so well known, has been killed; Lieutenants Hunter and Hastings have been added to the list of slaughter and nine others also have fought their last fight, and now sleep in a soldier's grave. All honor to them, for they: fought nobly, and perished gloriously. As yet details are not to hand and we know nothing of the circumstances, but we recognise sadly the fact that our Colonial forces have sustained a most damaging repulse, irrespective of the almost irretrievable loss of some of the finest officers that ever were engaged in Maori warfare. It is however too late to regret what cannot be recalled, but it behoves the public of New Zealand to say how long the Colonists are to be subjected to such a fearful drain, both of men and money through the native race. It is now quite obvious that either the white or the colored race must be dominant in the colony, and whatever the cost the question of supriority must be decided at once, if settlement is to advance, or if this glorious colony is even to be populated as it should. Our newly arisen war has been most unfortunate. We have sustained repeated defeats, and up to the present, during the whole time have had but one victory, and that was totally barren in results. There is a fault somewhere, it is clear, and the blame is certainly attributable to the Government that New Zealand possesses. It has been customary for Mr Stafford, Mr Hall, and others of the Executive, to treat the existing native difficnlty as of small importance, and it has also been the fashion, a la Sir George Grey, to be ever ready with excuses or explanation for Maori outrage. The public of New Zealand are sick of this style, and they will we trust let Mr Stafford and his colleagues know it. Let all philo-maories go over to the Maories and let the colonists know who are their friends, and who their enemies.. There is no serving God and mammon, we are told, and. there is no halting between Maori or Colonial proclivities. Ear more than enough petting has been lavished on the dusky savages, and it is now the duty of the Government, at whatever cost, to crush, or if need be, exterminate them. Exeter Hall doctrines may be very well in the Strand, and might possibly be applicable to the unreclaimed of London, but when applied to a wild and cannibal race they are as effective as a teaspoon would be to stop the flow of the Thames. The authority of the Government, and the supremacy of the while man are alike derided and set at nought, and the blood of our noblest men is shed like water by the infernal rebels. Kindness has been tried and they have in Maori fashion eaten their benefactors, and yet there are those who whilst justifying the slaughter of white men, are careful of black blood. In our opinion the death of one white man is not compensated for by the destruction of a hundred semi-wild beasts in human form, and up to now our losses have at least equalled those of the Maories. Under existing circumstances, if the Colonial Government for a moment expect to maintain their prestige they must be more energetic in the prosecution of the war if such it can be termed. It is better far to collect an overwhelming forc«. and clear the Hauhau territory from end to end at once, than to dribble on a useless and an actually exhausting war like the present. The immediate cost would of course be greatly enhanced, but it would be well spent money as it would then give peace to New Zealand for time to come. The first loss would be the best, and the cheapest in the end, and we should not after a vigorous campaign, have to publish such sad records as is our painful duty this day. '. As to.mercy being extended it is absurd. The rebels must be treated as wild beasts, as in fact they are, and till this is done there will be no peace in the colony. They have courted and now seek the fate that must wait on them and if extermination is rendered a necessity, it is no use being mealy-mouthed on the subject,

neither is it desirable to postpone an inevitable necessity. A large increase of troops an active and energetic Cam- ■ pajgn, an indiscriminate slaughter of, the refractory tribes is necessary, and must be commenced if the colonists hope to hold their own. Whether the Government are ready to adopt the extreme measures necessary or not has yet %o be seen. If they are not, it is time that they made way for those who are.