NATIVE MATTERS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3118, 15 July 1867, Page 4

NATIVE MATTERS.

To the Editor of th« Daily Southern Cross. Sib, — As the Land League and King movement were the principal and main policy the rebel natives adopted in order to resist if possible the successful advancement of European interests in this island, we are compelled to give these principles careful consideration. There can be little doubt that many of the native tribes thought they would be benefited by combining together and electing a King to govern them, instead of Deing under a foreign yoke ; and, although Governor Browne was recalled and a friend of the Maoris'st-nt here as Governor, yet this friend oE theirs— Sir G. Grey— could not prevail upon the King natives to renounce their King' or one of the principles of Kingism, neither would they consent for the " Waitara dispute " to be settled by arbitration. Strange conduct for a peaceably - inclined people. I must digress a little. I think it is admitted that, at the time the British Government took possession of these islands, the different tribes (inhabiting) were living in dread of each other— the natural effect patt unjust and ferocious internecine wars had upon their semi-barbarous deposition. But when our Government became established this dread of each other must have vanished — the influence it really assumed amongst them— the weak looking to us to protect them from any aggressions of the strong. The different tribes soon became so closely connected by religion, civilisation, and wealth, that they were enabled to legislate together for any purpose. Thus we see them advancing, through our instrumentality, from • being a • disconnected «et of tribes, to at least being enabled to to work together in unison for the establishment of a distinct nationality, the result of which is apparent to us this veiy day, viz., bloodshed, rapine, and violence. Then if we take into consideration the benevolent manner in which Government treated these very Maoris, we must Bay their subsequent conduct was base ingratitude. Did not Government cause to be erected for them flour mills in over abundance, give them ploughs and implements more than they needed, (and pay men to teach them trades. Everything, you may tay, that could be thought of to benefit them, was lavishly bestowed upon them by Government — the Waft ato tribes coming in for the largest share. Yet we find that these very tribes — tribes that have benefited by us to such an extent — the first to set on foot a Land League and King movement, with the avowed object of preventing any Maori selling his land to any European; for if this League was established (as many suppose) for the purpose merely of preventing Government from robbing them of their land, they would have fixed the price of land, to be disposed of under the King's jurisdiction, at £1 per acre, or something reasonable. But no ; they establish a League for purposes aforestated, viz , to prevent the Europeans ever getting numerically more in number in this island than they were— a great effort, although abortive, to rule this, their native soil. a Now, that these were the principal reasons for their establishing a Land League and electing a King, anyone acquainted with the circumstances must admit— not from any •'injustice" they received from Government. Fox Bay», " The Land League and the King, movement they both originated about 1848." I suppose some are aware that the Maoris erected Cus-tom-homes, and toll-gates, and charged exorbitant rates to any one passing through their territory ; but I do not know that they are better off now, in a pecuniary point of view. They obtained arms and ammunition by Bubttrfuge, averring that they had not the same privileges as British subjects, and refused to lease the Coromandel goldfield* till the restrictions should be removed from the purchase and sale of arms and ammunition, &o. Government weakly yielded ; and we see the result. How soon were bloodshed, misery, and mourning visited on many a European's home and Maori kainga ! The Maoris, conscious of their strength, armed and equipped, anxiously waited an opportunity to quarrel with and exterminate us. But a bright star arose, and many tribe*, conscious of the justice and integrity with which they were treated, fought for us. The town of Wanganui was saved, by "friendlies," from being laid in ashes by infuriated fanatics. And the conduob of other friendly tribes was noble and heroic. As an instance, I might mention that of Morgan (East Cape), and I imagine that it would be gross alander to say now that these friendlies were fighting in an unjust cause, and thereby morally guilty of murdering part of a noble and devoted section of their race. It is a libel on thoEe of our Volunteers and colonial foroes, many of whom laid down their lives on our behalf. It is a libel on the colonists to endeavour to prove that they sent representatives to Parliament to endeavour to crush a noble, patriotic, and intelligent race, fighting for liberty, which would be the case if our Government treated the Maoris repeatedly with injustice. In my opinion the Maoris (particularly the rebels) were treated too leniently. W. Thompson, when hostilities commenced with the Waikatos, could pen the following (I oite from Fox) : — "I have consented," he writes on 26th July, "to attack the whole of the town. I shall spare neither unarmed people nor property. If they prove the strongest, well and good. If the Maoris prove the strongest, this is how it will be : the unarmed people will not be left." Taking this letter into consideration a person is almost (constrained to ask, Were not the leaders of the Waikato rebellion morally and legally guilty of murdering unarmed settlers, and were they, not liable to be tried andjcondemned when caught, for such ? But Government mercifully forgave them. lam satisfied ; and if people did not unfairlyjand unnecessarily cry "Injustice!" this much would not have been heard from me, as I believe it would be better if the natives and whites would let the dead Part bury its dead.— • I am, Ac, FORBST. Auckland, July 10, 1867.