Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume VII, Issue 478, 27 January 1852, Page 3

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE 'SOUTHERN CROSS.' Sir, — A letter from the Rer. Mr. Buddie, ad* drened to the London 'Watchman,' dated Bth April, appears reprinted in the ' New Zealander' of Saturday last, upon which (if you can apare me a corner in your paper) I should like to make a fe# observations. The object of Mr. Buddie's letter to the 'Watchman* is plain enough, viz., to warn the conductors of that paper, (the organ of the Wetleyan body in London,) against giving currency to Maori letters or statements concerning the Aborigines, which may appear in the public prints of this colony (unless authenticated in some other form), and to make known to the conductors of the 'Watchman' that SirGeo. Grey has been a particularly kind friend to the Wesleyan body here. And that he (Mr. Buddie.) "should greatly regret even the appearance of censure in any Wesleyan publication on one who for many public reasons has a claim on our gratitude." I hare said Mr. Buddie's object is plain enough, and perhaps legitimate enough so far as the 'Watchman' and those interested therein are concerned, but 1' do think it was the act of a very willing but indiscreet friend to republiih that Letter here, as it is calculated to raise diicussions no way favourable to the parties sought to be benefitted. That Mr. Buddie should do what he can, in London as well as in Auckland, to support Sir George Grey, because he has been "invafiably found ready to help" the Wesleyan body here, is natural enough, i But Mr. Buddie does a grievous wrong to others .when he carries his praise so far as to say that "Sir < George Grey has ever provod himself a friend of the , Aborigines, and a supporter of Christian Missions." The fact is otherwise, and Mr. Buddie cannot be ignorant that it is so. Instead of being the "friend and supporter of Christian Missions," Mr. Buddie must well know that Governor Grey has proved himself the bitterest enemy that the Church Mission ever had. Has he not tried, almost from the first moment of his arrival, to villify and traduce the members of that Mission, by leading their Society to believe that their Missionaries here bad been the came of the war, and of the shedding of much blood and treasure, and that the greatest disturbances and calamities were to be apprehended from them end their land claims. Nay, has he not carried his systematic deception so far as to border upon conspiracy to ruin the hsad of that Mission, the Venerable Archdeacon Henry Williams— a man, I hesitate not to affirm, whose labours have been more effectual amongst the New Zealanders than those of any other Mission* ary : and that he has possessed, and still does possess, more influence over thess Natives than any other individual — and this I say from no particular interest in that gentleman, (indeed I never so much as exchanged words with him.) but from the general testimony of those who do know him, and are every way qualified to express an opinion. Does Governor Grey then prove himself the "supporter of Christian Missions," when he conspires against and procures the Archdeacon's dismissal from his Society by means of false statements and imputations ? Has the Church Missionary Society not admitted the deception thus practiced on them by rescinding their arbitrary resolution of dismissal, upon the trnth being made known to them ? There is not a man in New Zealand but mast be well awarof the deep, perhaps irreparable injury which Gover* nor Grey has caused the Church Mission here, — perhaps Missionary Bodies generally, — and it is therefore not correct in Mr. Buddie to try, so far, to blind the British public through the columns of the 'Watchman/ notwithstanding ail the favours which the Wesleyan Body have received from him here. The real fact is, that Governor Grey, when he began to undermine and destroy the Church Mission, knew well enough that it would not do to make enemies of the Wesleyan body also. He accordingly courted and showered favours upon them in proportion to the injury which he did to the others.- On the other hand, they have been grateful to him in return, and have asiisted him with all their influence, backing him up ts far as possible through the 'NewZealander' here, as Mr. Buddie tries to do through the 'Watchman' in London. Mr. Buddie may rest assured that the connexion between the body to which he belongsfand Governor Grey, may be well enough, if left clone in the quiej solitude in which it has hitherto remained : but'it will not do to parade it before the public so as to induce the belief that the Governor's assistance to the Wesleyans is even disinterested, far less that it should be received as evidence of his being a supporter of Christian Missions in general. After the exposures of your correspondent 'Metoikos,' it will be no easy task to whitewash Governor Grey. His best friends will now withdraw his name from public discussion as much as possible. So much for Mr. Buddie's letter as far as it bears upon Governor Grey and the Missionary Bodies. But I also find great objections to the observations contained in it relative to the Native Jabez Bunting. It was with some difficulty that I could find the Letter which had been copied into the 'Watchman,' as Mr. Buddie states it to have first appeared here in the 'New Zealand Guardian,' which upon inquiry learn to have been the secondary title of the 'Southern Cross/ In the Number of the 19th of April, 1850, I find from the reports of the Resident Magistrate's Court, that the case was simply this: — Jabez Bunting had sold some land to the Government for which for years he had only obtained promises as payment. His patience being exhausted, he attempted to bring the matter before the Resident Magistrate's Court, but it was thrown out upon a point of form, to the great mortification and disappointment of the Chief. He wrote a Letter to the Editor of your paper, requesting that the circumstances should be laid before the public. The Letter was inserted accordingly, with somecauitic remarks on the impolicy and humiliating position of the Government in thus declining to pay the Native in quettion. . Mr. Buddie very ingeniously throws dust in the 'Watchman's' eyes, by insinuating that Jabez had "allowed himself to be influenced by those who are opposed to the Governor's general policy ;" but I have every reason to believe from what I actually know of that letter, as well as from its internal evidence, that it was wijtten entirety of his own accord,

and expresses bis own sentiments in his awn words. Bat whether it does to or not, Mr. Buddie should first have been. prepared to deny, the factsnaentioned in that letter— us well ti the. hardship and injustice complained of— before he could hire been justified in attempting to m»ke the 'Watchman' discredit the whole sffnir as he hat done. It is well known that there have existed, not only sgainst Governor Grey's. government, bat a!io against former Governments, complaints in not duty and promptly paying the' Natives- according -to promise and arrangement. Bat instead of seeking to mend this, system by public remarks upon its impolicy, Mr. Buddie directs tbe attention of the. 'Watchman' from the question by remarking upon the great difficulty In finding out at onoe all the native owners- when a sale of > land' is made — leaving, the impression that such' a reason existed on the occasion referred, to ; and not a mere disinclination to_pay a just debt, which had lain over for utart. I have every reason to think that Jabez was in the instance referred' to, | most unfairly treated, and that he deserved .the prcI tection and assistance of the press, imtead of having his grievances consigned to. oblivion, and* disre* gard, which Mr. Buddie evidently inculcates 1 the propriety, of doing. With, your Editorial remarks, upon, the. Jabez, Banting case I' have nothing to doj and, make no observation. Bat on that chief's letteri inserted- in your paper stating his case, and complaining of the treatment he had experienced from the Government; and before the Magistrate's, Court, I-do think it most } fair and legitimate, both in regard, to the, remarks contained in it, and equally so the publishiug \{ in the. paper, es he had done. Jabez Bunting was at one time regarded as the leading native chief amongst the Wesleyan converts. I have heard that he is, not now: on the best of- terms | with that body ; occasioned it ia further rumonred, because the chief expected more assistance from' his friends than they found it their interest to fgive to him in obtaining his land, rights from the government. But even so, I cannot see that Mr. Buddie was 1 justified in seeking to prevent that chief from bringing his complaints, in his own way, before the public here, through the local press; or through tbe same medium before the people of England. And', if the facts of tbe case he aa he stated, then I may, admit the prudenee of the Weileyan organ keeping, sifence on tbe subject lest perchance their Patron Grey should be implicated ; though I aannot- but think that prudence in such a case, ceases to he a virtue, when, for mere self interest, it would thus ttifte the complaints of the helpless: New Zealander. Such sympathy is ill calculated to add to any Missionary influence when it becomes knownamongst the tribes, I have used the important " if" advisedly ; because while I believe the truth of the chief's statements myself, and that he had every reason to complain of the conduct of the government towards him, in the instance referred to. still I have not at present the means of atturing myself thereof, and cheerfully give Mr. Buddie, in the meantime, the benefit of that doubt. Your'a, &c, JUSTITIA. January 26th, 1852.