WHO COMMANDS?

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 161, 20 May 1873, Page 2

WHO COMMANDS ?

To the Editor of the "Waikato Times. Sir, — In your issuo of the 13th instant there appears a letter signed "Grejback," from which we can glean the follow ing facts : That there is a post or camp , w itli a magazine, atCambiidge, commanded by Major Clare; that there is also at Cambridge a Volunteer corps, commanded by Captain Kuncunan ; that on the day of Sullivan's murder Captain Runcunan was at the post at Cambridge, while Major Clare whs absent r that while there, Captain Runciman ga\e an order to one of Major CHare's men ; that the man not only refused to obey it, but obstrujted Captain Runciman in th« performance of his duty. Such are the facts stated. Now nothing is simpler or clearer in military usage than that the senior officer present at a post assumes the command. In this instance Captain Runciinauwas the senior — indeed, apparently, the only — officer present, and was for the tune in supreme command lie, and he only, was responsible for the conduct of the po9t during his presence there. The magazine and its contents were bv military law and usage at his sole disposal for the time. Unless, then, il can be shown that a private constable h senior to a Volunteer captain, tLo former has rendered himself liable to a general court martial for reeibting the lawful order of his c ommanding officer. This question assumes a peculiar importance at the present time. If, under a mischievous and mistaken esprit de corps, oiFonces such as tlifr abovo are condoned by the officer immediately commanding the offending party, nothing but disaster can be expected to ensue, should tlio coui\-o of events unfortunately cause the various forces of the colony to be combined in one common struggle. — [ am, &c, United SntviCE.

To the Editor of the Waieato Times. Sir, — In j our editorial article of Thursday, Miy 8, 1873> jousay " but as regards the immediate enforcement of a 6trict aukati, we have two questions to consider. In the first place, by so doing, do we not overstep the dictates of law. In the second pl.ice, Is such a proceeding likely to prove effectual? As regards the first, we must not forget that the natnes arc equally with ourselves subjects of Groat Britain ; they cannot, therefore, equally speaking, become belligerents. I ivU upon your candour to allow mo space in your journal for a lew remarks upan your critique upon tho To Awamutu meeting. Reversing then tho order of your questions, I propose to consider the question, are the Maoris subjects ? and if the) are, what kind of subjects aro the king natives ? If I am rightly informed a subject is one who is in lawful subjection to lawful authority, whether born m the country or naturalized. Are the Ma iris in subjection to our Sovereign ? Are they subject to o'ir law s ° Do they submit to the law ful authorities of the land ? I leave your readers to answer. In what sense ( hen arc they subjects ? If subjects, they arc rebellious subject I',1 ', and as rebels, they must be treated. In what count n.uiviluwd or uncivilized, are r.beN treated as good subjects? In Great Britain r.bjls are treated as traitors, to be punished by imprisonment, confiscation of property, outlawry, and death. My inference from your proposition is, allowing that the Maoris aro British subject «, that they ought to be treated a» rebels who have set up a king in defiance of our Queen, ami who insult her laws, her authority, and her biibjeels— threatening, h mussing, and murdering the peaceful subjects of our graciuus Soiereign with perfect impunity. To establish an aukati, in other words to treat them as rebels, outlawed, who may not stand upon Our borders without dre id of punishment, is at once legal and just Whether an nukati is likely to pnne useful or effectual to preserve us from the malice of these unreasonable men, I know not; but it might be worth while to try the plan, supposing that we had the means of biipportmg by power the claims of justice As to the other question, do we not overstep the dictates of law ? I can only niy that it h not lawful for any Governor or Government, if I have read history aright, to con clone rebellion until the rebels la_\ down their arms, claim or plead for the mercy of the offended Sovereign, nnd submit thenwlvrs to " the powers that be." I know that law and equity do not always agree, but 1 am not aware of any l.iw again'it the punishment of murderers and rebels, if you can but apprehend them If will kindly insert this communication, I may, Mr Editor, trouble jou again. — Yours, Ac, J. F. Mwbkno.

Printer's EiutOKs.— Mr Spurgcon is stated to hare been considerably nggra\ated by a " printer's error," which has jumped— ercpt is not the word for it— into his particular literary organ the Sirordand Trotwl, known by the irreverent faithful in " the trade " as the " Soap and Towel " Among the regular advertisements in this pious print is one referring H3 folio a s to the reverend gentleman's sermons > — "Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, containing C. 11. Spurgeon's vennons. The publisher call attention to the remarkable fact that they have issued Mr Spurireon's sermons weekly for more than sixteen years, and thnfea)l this time the circulation has not only been very large, but has steadily increased. This unparalleled fact, unprecedented in the pulpit of am age or church, speaks for itself, and is a higher eulogiom than the most inemlh reviewer could pronounce. It is aho notewoithv tliul an eqnalh. » inn reception has been given to the American edition, and that Dutch, German, and Swedish translations have commanded an extensive sale, and the (sermons lime he« n uecepfabh received in Welsh, Danish and Italian" The a Iverti'-ers disquiet ninv be imagined when there followed without, any bieak except a colon, siftir •'Italian "in the sentence just quoted, the words: — " Eu-tiH-ly and (fi'uUiallj cuica scurvy, ringworm, itch, redness, pimple-), blotches, eruption*, oezaina, and even form of such disease ; also wounds and ulcers, with absolute and unfading certainty" An Irish paper laM year, by a Minilar tinnslation, gave the dress of the bridesmaid to the archbnl'op olliciatiiig at a fashionable wedding," His Grace was aUiied m while turlutun," &.c.