The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1877.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 846, 17 November 1877, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1877.

> ■' — ..wi's \ /EMwalpnu exact Justice ty all men, \)t j^B oi\Tjftrj»w*si.«n, religious or N^cr^iia\T'»rtS}--fi^^'tJ»& Pboi-lu's right ' jS*x' UnaweiT*ttv influence and unbribed by gnin

A Statement from the Native MiuiSter m these times of secured peace is not the mutter of interest ifc would have been a few years ago, but/ Mr Sheelian has contrived to give an interest to a thrice told tale, and hits pub fully bub concisely to the House the position of the Oolouy as regards native affairs.* He. did this on Thursday night, m moving the sec.ond reading of the Native Lands Act, 1873, Amendment Bill, and having touched upon his own business connections with the natives generally, and the repudiation party m particular, proceeded to a consideration ■of the present position . of native affairs, '-f these the newNative Miuister takes a favorable and a . hopeful view. Those who know Mr Sheehan best, kuow that at heart the native race has no warmer advocate nor friend. His leanings iv his early days were to the Puilo-Maori party, aud we can scarcely wonder if now he alludes flatteringly to what is called the flour and augar policy, and intimates that had tbut policy been continued, the Waikato war would never have been entered upon. Very naturally and gracefully Mr Sheehan lingers to pay a passing tribute of respect to the man with 1 whose name that policy will be ever associated, the late Sir Donald McLean, and, overlooking all party differences, fraukly acknowledges that the peace between the two races which has prevailed since 1869, was largely due to that statesman. Mr Sheehan recognises what too many forgefc, fcJiafc no othev policy was compatible, and, indeed, possible with the Public Works scberae, which, even with tfie mismanagement which has attended its administration, will have lifted the colony of the presenu day into the progress and wealth and comforts of what would belong m the ordinary course of events td a generation beyond. But the Native Minister showed that if such policy were then a matter of necessity, ib is no longer so now. " The native population," he stated, was" 23,639 males, aud 19;769 females, distributed m the land to the North of Auckland and on the East Coast. There was absolutely no chance of war m these places. The only possible place where war could arise was iv the King country, where there were m all only a native population of 5255 j of whom only 2666 were males. Against these were 25,000 friendly natives, and a European population of 40,000 men. The native population was also steadily decreasing, and all evidence the Government could col.ect po-.ntbd out that there was no longer reason to fear a native war. Iv the King country the natives were becoming reconciled to their position, and anxious to cultivate friendly relations. He did not think even m the King country that an armed force could. now be raided, against the Europeans. It was desirable ibis should . be kaown — as the Public Works scheme was not yet finished, and much more money would have to be borrowed yet iv order to complete it satisfactorily — therefore, that there was no possibility of further native disturbances. If public works w*re extended to native districts, all chances of rebellion would disappear. The works already made were valuable as having satisfied the natives, and also opened up the country m a strategical point of view, bo that the whole country could now be easily, traversed." J3ub if, he no longer recognises the policy of forbearance | within reasonable limits as a necessity, and if he sees m the reversed position of Ihe two races the possibility of European domination, Air Sheehan is not one wlxd would ( stretch that power to an unjust limit, for he said, and the words were received with loud cheers from all sides of the House. — " He recalled the time when the native question was the t^reatesu oue m the oolouy, but fcince that time the. proportions between the two races had been reversed. We then professed a desire to raise the native people to an equality with ourselves. We were now strong enough to disregard and repudiate all the promises then nude, but he mistook the temper • of the House and the country if this very strength would not be an additional reason for pursuing the same end and aim. He looked hopefully forward to the time when both races would really be one people. As touching the question of land purchase the Statement referred to what • was m some measure known to tße public buo not to its full extent, the utter sham presented by the returns of Natire i-and Purchase Commissioners and the waste of public money whichhas taken place m the Department. Land purchase for the Government has been paid for by commission, and to tliis cause chiefly is to be ; attributed the wretched result of tho vast sums of money expended on the purchase of freehold and leasehold of six million acred as an eitiue lor vho the JforfiU, two-third* o*S

the work of completing the aqquirement of which had yeb to be done with the balance of one-fifth of the 'money appropriated for the cost of the whole.' 'Of the leasehold, saya Mr Sheehan^ not a single aerS wri,s m a position to be used. A third of the freehold would require further expenditure m order to acquire an available title, and more money would thus be required." The Government, h 3 weyer, intend to initiate, a thorough reform m this direction, and we are further informed, that, "it was intended to at once close all outstanding transactions with land purchase agents, and have no more purchasing on ' commission, but employ proper responsible Government officers, and absolutely forbid anyoue conueefced with the Native Department from purchasing an acre for himself. So soon as existing tiujisactions were complete, the Govßro^nt should <fo out of the ra irkot as ir^purohaser of Native Lands." Such f i policy will find favor with both European aud native, nay, ie is the only possible policy to pursue if the present peaceful relations between the two races are to be preserved. When wo find a Native Minister while stating that though for some time, so. long as the natives generally speak only their own tongue, a Native Department will be necessary, yet at the same time willing. to admit it had been productive of many hindrances to settlement aud that m the next session it would be desirable to reduce it from a powerful orgnisation to a mere skeleton, but a useful one, we cannot but feel that the cheers which greeted Mr Sheehan's speech m the House will be echoed by the outside public m the Colony.