THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4264, 29 March 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

["New Zealand Time*."] Events have followed one another in sneh rapid succession of late that it ia incumbent upon us to revert to ths actual position of Native affairs more often than would under ordinary circumstances be either wise or politic. However, the forcible ejectment of the surveyors and their parties from off the Wain—te Plains is essentially a new departure in the course of sff-irs. A contemporary whose information in regard to the attitude assumed by the Ministry upon the occar'oa of a crisis has latterly come to be regarded as of a semi-official character, assume* that a casus belli has been established, and say* —" It i* quite clear that after such action on the part of the Native*, it will be necessary for the Government to take prempt and decisive step* to punish the perpetrators of tbe outrage, and to have the surrey of the Waimate Plains carried out, even should a resort to armed force be necessary. We know very well what is involved in this. It does not mean war, but possibly a local Native outbreak to be pat down by Volunteers and Armed (Constabulary.'' We know not whether this correctly expresses the views of the Ministry on the situation. If so, the colony I is on the eve of a very important charge in tbe administration of Native affairs, a ohange deserving of more than passing notice. Ths history of events may be briefly given thus:—On March Bth a party of Natives, under Tukukina and two other Maori chief*, drove off a party of aurveyora and roadmen near Obinemuri, pulled up the road pegs, and burnt the fascines which had been laid down in forming the new road. The County Council were about to take proceedings against this chief, who had long threatened to interrupt tbe road party. Although Tukukino had been warned not to interfere, Sir George Grey and the Native Office agreed that it would be unwise at present to take action, and therefore suspended the execution of the warrant*. Many other rumor* of disturbances and of an unsettled state of tbe Maori* reached — during the following ten days, and on the 21*t we wrote on the subject, hoping against hope that the Native Mini*tor's mission to Parihaka might reault in the delivering up of Hiroki to justice. At the same time we said:—"A feeling on the East Coast ia general that the occupation of the Plains will cause trouble, and though we trust that this may prove unfounded, the delay in the aale of the land can only be accounted for by supposing that all was" not as weU as the Native Minister could have wished." M> Sheehan's mission to Parihaka re*ulted in complete failure ; Te Whiti declined to give np the murderer, and said that the Supreme Court should come there to judge Hiroki, because the offence had been committed upon hia (Te Whiti'*) land. Fmally, in a speech of half an hour* duration, he seensed Mr Sheehan of stealing the Maori land, and stigmatised him as a thief. The Native Minister retired quietly, and treated this tirade with contempt. Having thus ins—ted the Minister apparently with impunity, and having the unpunished outrage of Tukukino still before his eyes as an example worthy of imitation, Te Whiti bailed with asticfaction any opportunity of endearing himself to hi* followers by a bold and daring assertion of hia rights. He therefore quietly but authoritatively carted off the iurveyo—, their men, baggage, and instrume-ts from tho Waimate Plains, and has thus politely signified his intention of "sticking to" the land, and of protecting as allies those who warn off trespassers by murdering them in cold blood. It is only fair to state that previous to the meeting it was efflcaU- aotified to Xc Whiti. that if tha

murderer appeared openly on ths scene stall the Native Minister would decli-e to treat with Te WhitL

It is ths simultaneous existence- of trouble and disturbance on both sides of the island which forces upon us the conviction that a very great amount of tact and good generalship wfil be wquired to localise the dieturbancs and to steer us through the native difficulty, which has been dormant for a while, bnt is now more active and threatening than for many years part. It i* with einoere re ■ grot that thi. admission is made ; none but a mean mind could rejoice in the evil which has befallen the country, or would exult because the result has verified the opinions often expressed that the Native difficulty was only scotched, and not killed. Many a report founded on good authority has been suppressed by n. for fear that if it were published it might nourish hopes half dead in the breatfo of the di.affscted, and fan the •mouldering fires of discontent in the breasts of the King Native.. The Ministry must decide what course .hall be adopted. An exact knowledge and a careful consideration of all the surrounding circumstances sire required before any wise decision can be arrived at, and that rashness be not our general is the only hope we venture to express. A burning desire to wipe out the memory of the insulting word, and deeds of a savage chief puffed with self-conceit might plunge the colony into a war which may yet be avoided, if the hopeless nsture of the resistance they offer can but be made dear to the rebellious Native*. They are outnumbered and overmatched, and begin to see it. Savage nations have ever looked upon forbearance as a sign of weakness, kindness as a tribute of respect to their authority, gifts as but bribes for good behaviour, and too much palaver as an effort to cajole and humbug them. The King Maoris have once more proved that they are no exception to the general rule. How far the well-known familiarity of the Native Minister with the Maoris may have bred contempt it is i—possible to ray. Judged by results, the Native policy of the Ministry has been a failure, a mistake, and a disappointment.