THE NATIVE CRISIS.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 543, 23 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE CRISIS.

Native matters at length have fairly come to a crisis. Emboldened by the impunity which hitherto has attended their trespass upon the lands ot the European settlers, tbe Maoris on Saturday went farther, and began ploughing up the property of Mr. Livingston© at Hawera On this, the settlers — after informing tbe Government of their intention, and receiving a cautiously worded reply from Sir George Grey, implying a qualified sanction — coolly removed the intruders, and carted them with their ploughs, &c , over the Waiugongoro River. This is just what the Government ought to have done at first, and should have taken care to be in a position to do before taking any steps wbJch might lead to hostilities. Fortunately now— although late in the day— the Government has a strong force of Armed Constabulary on the spot, while the settlers have come forward nobly, forming powerful bodies of volunteers. It is evident that they feel — and the Government also— that the time has come for putting a stop once and for all to the lawless proceedings which have caused so much loss and uneasiness in this colony, and damaged the public credit so seriously outside. Ever since this last native difficulty first arose we have urged strongly on the Government the necessity of adopting this course, and we are very glad to find that that tbe settlers bave brought matters to a crisis by taking tbe matter into their own hands, and doing now what the Government ought to bave done at first. The firm stand at last happily taken must be resolutely maintained. The settlers must be strongly supported in their courageous and determined action, and the Maoris taught a lesson which will ensure the colony against any future repetition of the discreditable events of the last month or two. Now is the favorable moment, and the golden opportunity must be seized resolutely and vigorously.