TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

5

E—No. 3b,

I do not think you would have much difficulty under such circumstances in arranging for the fcession or purchase of a certain amount of land round New Plymouth in order to get rid of the anomalous state of things produced by the mode in which the Government has purchased land in isolated patches, to which there is no access except through land belonging to the Maories. I ought to apologize for giving you my " views and opinions" as to a matter of which I have but a partial knowledge, but thinking that these views and opinions are more clear, and based upon sounder principles than those of your Responsible Advisers, I gave them to you for what they are worth. There is no question but that the common and ordinary mode of dealing with the differences between the white man and the Maori, would be to treat the latter as a rebel, to pour in troops regardless of expense, and eventually to sweep away a race which, occupies land of which the white man professes to be in want, though he has millions of acres of which he can ©r does make no use. This, however, is a very costly mode of dealing with such a matter, to say nothing of its immorality and injustice. The Imperial Government will have to pay a high price for the land, which after having purchased it with its blood and treasure, it hands over to the Colonists to sell for their benefit. While, then, the ordinary course of proceeding will be found both immoral and impolitic, that which I have sketched out will be conducive to the best interests of the Government and the people, and as such I commend it to your consideration. Believe me to be, &c, W. D.ENISON.