TA WHIAO'S NEW DEPARTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1498, 9 February 1882, Page 3

TA WHIAO 'S NEW DEPARTURE.

It is a very unpopular thing we know to say that Mr Sheelian ever did a service to the colony, till we must incur the prejudice in the expression of an opinion that his negotiations with Rewi constituted the most decided and the most brilliant success which has ever been peacefully achieved with the native race. From an attitude of hostility Rewi was won over to believe that the Government meant to deal liberally and justly by him. His chieftainship of the most powerful tribe in the Waikato, and excepting the Ngapuhi, perhaps the most powerful in the Island, gave to his alliance with the Government the appearance in the eyes of the whole native race of a surrender of all distinctive claims of Kingism. If Rewi and the Ngatimaniapoto left the standard of Tawhiao, what remained aroxind which the patriotic aspirations of the race might rally ? The substance of power came over with Rewi : the form lias apparently arrayed itself on the side of the colony in the visit of Tawhiao. We may expect too much from the visit, but we have reason to hope for much. Such things do not occur if there is a bad feeling between the parties ; and they naturally follow upon a better understanding and a desire for friendship. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." Tawhiao cannot return to his settlement without feeling that the people of Auckland and the Government earnestly desire to live on terms of good fellowship and amity witli him and his people. If he is at the same time convinced that it will be to his material interests and not infringing his mrif/ff, to live at peace and on terms of reciprocal obligations with the Government, lie will have all the inducement requisite to maintain and widen the conditions of the alliance. — JFaitaaiiui llo> aid.