BAY OF ISLANDS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4234, 10 March 1871, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Nearly everyone here has noticed, with no small degree of surprise, several attacks made upon the Defence Minister for having visited ouv old and loyal friends, the Ngapulii, of this district. Some of these attacks or charges must have been made on supposition, as they were made in Auckland, and before any of these great would-be sins could have been co-nmitted by him. For instance, Mr. Gillies would have it that the Defence Minister sent a candidate from his own office to oppose Mr. Carleton's return ; and the successful candidate for Eden would have it that the Defence Minister himself went expressly to the Bay for a like purpose. Can we wonder then that Mr. Carleton, to cover his chances of defeat, would take up the cry, ami make the most of it ? He and his opponent, Mr. McLeod, tortured us with a five hours' debate at Wainute one day, before the Defence Minister's arrival. It is true that Wi Katene, a native chief, at that meeting made allusior to Mr. Carleton's previous opposition to the Fox Ministry ; and he also referred to Mr. McLean. Mr. McLeod also alluded to Mr. McLeau, J in connection with the £12,400 which ] the Assembly had voted for these neglected out districts and other similrr j districts. But, although Mr. Carle ton has reported what was said at that meeting in such a light as most men would be likely to do when placed in the same circuimtaaces as lie was then, yet every hoi ost man who was present, and who understood what was said by natives and Europeans, knows very well that there was not one word said which ! ■would justify aiiyonc in concluding that Wi Katsue wanted Mr. McLean to prompt or inform the natives generally that Mr. Cirleton was opposed to the present Ministry. Indeed, Mr. Carleton mast have thought his late opponent (Mr. McLeod) very innocent, if he did not give him credit for having informed the natives upon these matters. But the fact is that WiKatene and the native people in this district generally do not require to be prompted by either Mr. McLeod or Mr. Carleton ; and, I may add, not by the Defence Minister himself; for they know more of the doings in the Assembly than the majority of the European population. And why should they not? Does not all legislation for them emanate from the general Parliament, and have they not many friends and relations in the Native Department who communicate, by letters and verbal messages, everything which takes place in that quarter ? But, as Mr.jCarleton has been defeated, few persons will be against giving him a wide latitude of expression, especially as it is said that he himself has given many learned reasons to justify the belief that anything is fair in politics, love, and war. The War Minister did Jiot stay long, either here or at Mangonui, and so closj did he nonage to keep his business that it was only "after his departure that Europeans were able to gather from the natives the purpoit of his business. The Ngapuhi have always had a very high opinion of Mr. McLean j and after this visit they appear to give him credit for confirming them in the belief that he is the only man who is likely to settle the Waikato difficulty, inasmuch as he is the first to consult them before entering on negotiations which may lead to a great war in the maintenance of the supremacy of the law. To consult them is a compliment whi n h is likely to be rewarded by their assistance if required. Some of them were asked if Mr. McLean had really asked them not to vote for Mr. Carleton; but they scouted the idea, as if business so important and weighty as the settlement of the Waikato difficulty, the murder of Mr. Todd, Ac, should be thought of on toe same day, or at fie same tiuie, aa a matter so trifling as the return of one or two pakehas to Wellington. Whoever may think that the War Minister came here on election business, the natives do not ; and any person who understands the natives will, I think, give them credit for rather close discernment on such matters. The facts are, yiz. : that at that time at Mangonm there was a large native meeting on land business, where 650 people were assembled, and among them many o£ the greatest chiefs in the North ; while at this place there were also a large number of chiefs and native voters assembled for the purpose of nominating their native candidates for the Assembly. It is the general opinion that the War Minister was no doubt aware of these meetings taking place at that ] time, and it is also supposed he made it a point to meet the principal chiefa on these I occasions. However, he and hia .friends in i Auckland do not seem to trouble themselves about those election cries ; and although it is but lately that anything occurring iv this I quarter has got so muoh attention from j Auckland politicians, it is to be hoped that parties living here may be allowed to offer suoh remarks on this subject as are made use of every day by natives and Europeans. \ Such remarks are : Was it the duty of the Defence Minister to have avoided coming North at that time because an election was about to take place here in a few days? Were the Waikato troubles of suc-h a light nature that he could waive negotiations in this quarter, and all for* the sake of avoiding offence to Mr. Carleton ? Was it a matter of ; no importance "to Government to take advan- j tage of time by attending those large meetings, rather than call meetings 'at a great loss of time and expense, and all for fear j Mr. Corleton or -his friends might say that the Defence Minister interfered with Mr. Carleton's election ? Were unredresaed injuries, such as the" "murder of Todd,- to be delayed for a day or, a week because some j electioneering partisan might think it not to his advantage' should the Ngaptihi be : seeu by thb Defence Minister at * given time,? Or were the chances. of jucfy measures miscarry, ing to' be incurred by delaying the! consulting of the Northern, natives? It ha% been remWked by some one in the Pres3Jthat,when Parliament m^ets,.iihe Defence Minister will be taken 1 to task' abbiSt this matter, &c. Is it any, wonder,. aftervthaVthat no notice ha* been taken of these, grave charges against the man who ha* saved the country from. a_ war of races ? '

I The best way for » man to train up a child "j in the w»y he snouU go w to te«.y«l wiA wy 1 wxastimntem<di\