E—No. 2

24

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO

That there is now a connection between William King and the Waikato party is not to be denied: but that connection began after our employment of military force, and in consequence of that employment. (69) It is the result of our own acts. We have driven him into an alliance which he did not seek or desire. 8. The movements of which we have been speaking (70) furnished a noble opening for the establishment of law and Government throughout the Native population. No doubt much care was required in dealing with them, so as quietly to obviate and remove that distrust of the Government, out of which they sprang. These movements were dangerous, because they tended towards a separation of the races. Yet even that tendency to separation had its favourable side. A complete fusion of the two races into one legislative and judicial system was impracticable. By the institution of a separate system for the Maories, the risk of collision in political matters with the settlers was avoided; whilst the Government had it in their power, by wise management, to obtain the control and guidance of the whole movement. Before this period there had been no mode of governing the Natives, except by means of personal influence applied to individual cases. They had now become in a great degree receptive of laws and of institutions. Not that personal influence was now needed les3 than before ; it was needed even more : but it was now required for a larger and more beneficial purpose, to restrain and guide the new movement, to mould its results into some permanent form for the good of both races. Personal influence was still indispensable, in order to effect in a peaceable way the transition to something more fixed and enduring than itself. The nature of the movement, as it showed itself in the Waikato district, and the main principles to be adopted in dealing with it, were clearly stated by Mr. Fenton, Resident Magistrate, in a Report dated March, 1857. "It being admitted that the Maories are theoretically entitled, but are actually not qualified to exercise these privileges, the inference follows that for the present they should be induced to forego the exercise of them ; and that in the mean time they should be suffered to exercise political privileges of a more primary character ; that is, that they should be encouraged to undertake the institution of law in their own villages, assisted to make such byelaws as their peculiar toants require, allowed to nominate men to carry these laws into execution, and permitted to assemble periodically for the purpose of discussing the actions of the past and providing , for the needs of the future. Thus will a continued progress be made in their political education ; their thoughts will be occupied, their minds elevated, and their ambition satisfied." {Pap. E. No. IC. p. 7.) "There exists a void, and this void, the persons principally interested are most anxious to fill. The English power, having failed to induce the adoption of law in a direct manner, through the means of English Magistrates, is now offered the opportunity of thoroughly instituting , all the ordinary laws, as far as they can be made applicable, by the simple and constitutional plan of initiating them through the intervention of the people themselves. For in fact the movement will, if properly guided, result in nothing more tfan the permanent establishment of a powerful machine, the motive power and the. direction of which will remain with the Government, When the Maories express their anxiety to make laws, they also pray that the Governor will cause them to be instructed as to what laws they are to make. In fact, their views, divested of Maoriisms of thought and expression, are simply that the law of England may be introduced amongst them, with such modifications as their circumstances require (71)." {lb. p. 8.) Shortly afterwards tha Governor visited the Waikato district, and conferred with many of the Chiefs on the subject. On his return to Auckland, the Governor laid before his Ministers a Memorandum stating the course which he thought proper to be taken. On the 6th of May, Ibo7, the Ministers presented to the Governor a Memorandum in answer thereto, indicating their views ; which coincided generally with those taken by His Excellency. The following are extracts from their Memorandum :— " That an important crisis in the relations of the Native race with the British Government is now occurring, is a fact recognized by all who have any acquaintance with Native affairs. " The peculiar feature of the time is the tendency to self-organization, now being exhibited by a large section of the Maori people. The numerous meetings in course of being held throughout the country, the recent attempts at legislation which have taken place at the villages of the Waikato tribes, and the agitation for the appointment of a Native King, are the signs of this movement. " With some amongst the Natives there is reason to think that social organization is sought chiefly, if not wholly, as a means to the ulterior end of counteracting the growing predominance of the European, preventing the further alienation of territory, and maintaining the national independence. Another class appears purely to desire the establishment of law and order, and to be at the same time sensible that this benefit is only to be attained by the co-operation of the British Government. Between these extremes there are probably many shades of opinion. " There is, however, little reason to doubt that, should the British Government wisely and timely afford its countenance to the establishment amongst the Maories of civil institutions suited to their wants, the more loyal and intelligent opinion will speedily become prevalent. " As to the ultimate end to which the British Government in these Islands is bound to shape its Native policy, there can be no difference of opinion. Successive Governors have promised, in the name of the British Crown, that the Colonists and the Maories should form but one people, under one equal law ; and no effort must be spared to redeem this pledge." " But it is not reasonable to expect that a barbarous race should be able to adopt per salt.urn the complex institutions of a free British Colony. A transition state must occur, requiring special treatment ; and the civilization which is expected to lead to the adoption of British Law, can itself only be attained through the medium of fitting institutions ; institutions which, taking theactual condition