The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1757, 9 October 1883, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and csart jnshrc to .ill men, Of wli itsoexer st.ilu or persuasion, religions or prilitir.il. Here sh ill the Press tlu- People's rich* nnmt tin, Un.iwi il l)\ mfliii m c .nul unliril)i-il by n mi

TUESDAY, OCT. 0, ISSJ.

It must be aclmitti'd on all sides that tho result of Mr Bryce's visit to Kawliiu in eminently satisfactory. For the first tune in Now Zealand history Tawhiao has earnestly sought an interview with the Native Ministor, and has come to moot him. In this caso there was little of the titi/ioa principle manifested which has boon the chief characteristic ot all former meetings of this sort. The matter was discussed in a business-like manner, and, as Tawhiao would say, tho talk was straight. From tho tone of T.awhiao's remarks, it is evident that he is coming to realise the fact that Mr Brjce will not bo played with, and that when once he has shaped a course of policy, he conscientiously and (irmly follows ii out. Tawhiao w.is brought to see that ho had done wronu in destroying tho beacons in Kawhia Harbour, and of this the public may bo certain, he is not likely to repeat the performance. It is a fact of some significance to note Mi.it ho was the only speaker on the M.iori side.- We also have it from our special correspondent, that none of his principal ndvisers were present, so we may judge that he give utterance to his own sentiments. It ib tho first time thai, he has been free to do so, nnd Mr Ikyce has reason to feel proud of tho change which the policy ho is carrying out has been the means of effecting in the Maori mind. The destruction of the Government properly at Kawhia might have been but the piecursor of some serious trouble but for the prompt and firm way in which the affair was taken in hand by tho Native Minister, and we may feel perfectly assured that when his conduct in reference to it becomes generally known amongst the Maoris in other places, it will have a beneficial tendency. Tt is satisfactory to learn from the lips of Tawhiao tint he himself has been at the bottom of the whole trouble, because an impression had somehow got abroad that the outrage had been prompted by Euro-pe-ins for their own purposes. Such conduct on the part of any one would deserve heavy punishment, and wo take this opportunity of saying fhat, although many damaging rumours have been curient, we have received them with suspicion and after examination discredited them altogether. Tawhioo's confession proves us to have boon in the right, The "king's" action seems "~ to have been a protest against tho course pursued by tho (.Government in erecting the beacons without first obtaining his consent, but at the same time he pleads th.it he was not, aware he had transgressed the law. This of course will not hold water ; but Mr Bryce nevertheless acted wisely, &<; well as generously, in agreeing to overlook the offence. At the same he gave Tawhiao to understand that he would take care to prevent a recurrence of any such ignorant or thoughtless act. Tho minister was also at pains to impress upon the mind of tho natives that the advent of tho constabulary did not mean the taking of any land, but simply that tho Government wore determined to uphold the dignity of the Crown. Tawhiao also received some information relative to the benefits accuring to the Maoris from the construction of roatk and bridges, and, to his credit to be miv], he appeared to bo impressed with what .he hoard. Now that the constabulary are stationed at Kawhia, we hope no lime will bo lost in proceeding with tfie construction of the RaglanKawhia road from the point where Mr Burtl loft off a month or so ago. The whole summer is before us, and beforo if, ends efficient communication with Raglan ought to be established. Theloagfch of road to be made is not great, and, so far a,s we can ascertain, that are no engineering difficulties in the way.