TOWN EDITION Evening Post. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1881. MR. BRYCE AND THE NATVEPOLICY.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 84, 7 October 1881, Page 2

TOWN EDITION Evening Post. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1881. MR. BRYCE AND THE NATVEPOLICY.

• It is curious to note how easily a large number of people are imposed on by a fancied similarity. A measure has only to be called "Free" something-or-other, to attract an extensive degree of support, based solely on the word " free," although it may in reality be a piece of most tyrannical oppression. Toward the close of the French Revolution, tho people bitterly bewailed their loss of "liberty," when they were no longer "free to kill whom they pleased." The same tendency to mental confusion may now be observed to p-evail widely in regard to the latest phase of the Native Difficulty It may be heard, said, and seen written on all sides, " If the Government had carried out Mr Brycb s policy at the time, the Native Difficulty would have been all over, and now they would have to do so after all." We quoted yesterday some remarks made by a contemporary relative to the alleged offer to Mr. Bryce of a seat in the Cabinet. The same journal which gave currency to that report, after assuming that it meant the adoption, of Mr. Bryce's pelicy, added the followiag com-ment.—-"To ask Mr. Bkyce to take the responsibility of that policy in circumstances so very different from those when ho proposed to strike hard and fast, is putting Mr. Bryce in a position which his common-sense saved him from accepting. Ihe Ministry are in a difficulty of their own making, and. Mr. Bbtce is master of the situation." Now, these remarks show a total misconception of the real question at issue, and that misconception is so common that it is worth while to clear away some of the mista. In the first place, it teems to be forgotten that when Mr. Bktce proposed to znnroh on Parihaka and against Te Whiti, the latter was under invitation to meet the Governor and discuss his grievanc s, that invitation having been sent admittedly with Mr. Bbtcb's express concurrence. In the letter convejiug that invitation Te Whiti was explicitly recognised as a loyal subject, and as having rendered valuable service in keeping the peace. His action

in fencing and planting on tke territory which he claimed was simply a method of peaceful protest such aa that which is frequently adopted by Europeans to te3t a question of disputed title Ho positively and solemnly commanded hia followers not to resist the law, under no circumstance to strike or return a blow, but to go quietly into captivity when their fpneing operations were interfered with by the Constabulary? Much of this so-called " fencing" coneiafgjL merely in placing email boughs of trewF across the road, with appropriate form and ceremony. Te Whiti further took care to send thus into captivity all the more turbulent and bellicose spirits in his following, and all who could not be trusted to obey implicitly his commands to keep the peace. We asked at the time, and we ask now — What possible justification was there f :>r a ! military attack on a man acting in this way? Even if we admitted, for the Bake of argument, that this course wonld have " settled the Native Difficulty," we cannot recognise the lawfulness of "doing evil that good may come " It would have " settled the native difficulty" to adopt the same method as that pursued in regard to the "rabbit difficulty," namely, to poison off the natives, but we scarcely imagine that anyone will be found to advocate such a plan, however easy and effective. But it can readily be demonstrated that the adoption of Mr. Brtce's plan would not have settled the difficulty ; nay, that, on the contrary, it would have aggravated it. What could have been done with Te Whiti had he been arrested? What could have been done with the 400 native prisoners? They must all have been liberated some day, and then their release wonld have been the signal for a renewal of all the trouble m a worse form. It was urged that Te Whiti'b influence would thus have been destroyed. It i 3 much more likely that it wonld have been immensely enhanced by his gwem'-martyrdom. Even were it otherwise, that would only mean that we had destroyed the sole influence which had hitherto preserved the peace for üb. The situation at the present time is totally different. AJI the prisoners have been released. The .Royal Commission has been many months engaged in dealing with, and so far as possible, settling all equitable native grievances. A large proportion of the land hiß been sold. Settlement has proceeded steadily and rapidly. New and important interests have grown up. Ample provision has been made for the natives in the shape of reserves, and no just ground of complaint left them. At this very juncture r l x Whiti takes a distinctly new departure. We utterly disregard the sensational misrepresentation of his September speech which created such a "scare "for a time. But it is quite certain that he issued positive orders to his followers to enter illegally on Crown lands, to obstruct settlement, to fence in land to which it had been decided they have no claim, to go down in suoh large numbers that only a very strong force of Constabulary could grapple with them in a mere unarmed struggle, and if interfered with to resist, if struck to return the blow, it their blood was Bhed to shed blood in return, if fired at to fire back again. Here is altogether a new departure. Te Whiti now appears in quite a fresh character. Instead of restricting his protests to harmless and peaceful formalities and prohibiting all resistance to the law, he directly orders forcible obstruction, determined resistance, and violence if this is used on the other side. 'I E Whiti, in short, stands- forth no longer as the peacepreserver, but as the inciter to Slesal actions, and to armed resistance to the law if it ia sought to be resolutely enforced. This is the new phaee of native affairs, and when the Government make a definite repressive movement it will not be at all of the same kind as that advocated by Mr. Br^ce, or under circumstances at all similar. The Constabularly will remove the fencing as before. If the Maoris oppose, they will be arrested. If they resist sufficient i'orce will be used to overpower them at all costs and hazards, and Te Whiti, having distinctly incited the lawless proseedings, will be held responsible, and will be treated accordingly, whatever this may iuvolve. Having once sanctioned and incited lawless resistance to authority, he has at last placed himself outside the pale, and will have to take the oonsequence3, which will probably be his personal imprisonment, and the final breaking up of the Parihaka settlement, now thab'has become a nest of rebellion. Such, we anticipate, will be found to be the policy resolved upon in regard to the present phase of the native difficulty, and, it so, it has owe entire approval.

One hundred men of tho Armed Constabulary, under command of Sub-Inspector Coloman, leave for Opunake this afternoon by the s.s. Hinemoa. A first meeting of creditors in the estate of Thomas Scholes, of Bideford, Wairarapa, was convened for 2 o'clock this afternoon. The debtor's liabilities amount to 13s lOd, being composed of the following iteaa : — Turnbull, Smith & Co., 12s lOd ; W. & G. Turnbull & Co., ,£l9 Is; — Caselberg (storekeeper, Masterton), <£9 ; — M'Carthy (do), .£4. The assets amount to .£95, of which the sum of £4fi represents the estimated value of book debts, .£ls the stock-in-trade, and .£4O household furniture, &c. The meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. The Building Regulations Committee have not yet finished their report, the consideration of which has been deferred to the next meeting of the Council. They have, however, unanimously recommended that "No. 1 Building District be altered so as to exclude town sections 199-201, and part of 203, lying to the westward of Herbert-street, and the whole of that portion of the district lying to the eastward of Cuba-street extension, with the exception of the Market Ha 1 Eeserve, such excluded portions to become part of No. 2 District." The Council last night resolved to authorise the Surveyor to give permission to persons to buila in the excluded portion of No. 1 District under the regulations applicable to No. 2 District. At a meeting of the Ladies' Land League, held last evening, it was announced that a sum of £VSO had been collected, which is to be forwarded to Miss Parnell by the outgoing mail, together with the following address : — " Dear Mis 3 Farnell— From this far off land we greet you with affectionate regard. We have changed our skiea but not our nature, which bears towards you our loving sympathy in the heroic work you have undertaken on behalf of the suff -ring women and children of Ireland. A nation's wrongs may be righted by the intellectual efforts of its people— as happily the present wrongs of Ire'and have been partly, if not wholly righted by the great intellectual efforts of Ireland's patriots in and out of Parliament ; but the sufferings of women and children iorm a silent woe, which is borne with patient resignation until some God-sent messenger brings hope, consolation and relief. We recognise that through your philanthropic effoits a welcome ray of sunshine has been brought into many an Irish cabin h->me where all was gljom and desolation. By your exertions the homeles* have been sheltered, the sick have been tended, and the hungry have been fed. Dis tauce has not di named our perception of the divine character of your work, nor has it lessened our appreciation of your services in the cause of humanity, of your womanly courage, and of the broad spirit of charity that has marked all your appeals on behalf of our Buffering sisterhood. Our fervent prayer is that for your great services in this hjuv of trial and tribulation, God may grant you an everlasting and eternal reward, and with sincere wishes for your happiness for your future welfare in this world, we remain, faithfully and affectionately." (Here follow signatures.) The annual general meeting of the Star Boating Club was held at the Pier Potel last night. The large room in which it took placo was crowded to excess, and several members could not get in the doors. Mr. H. D. Bell occupied the chair. The report (which has already been published in the Post) was considered very satisfactory. Fifteen new members were elected The following office bearera were re-elected for the ensuing season : President, fcir William Fitzherbert ; Captain, Mr. C. A. Knapp ; Deputy-Captain, Air. L. C Koskruge; Secretary, Mr. li. C. Batkin ; Mr. C. O. H. Smith was elected Treasnrer, and Messrs. M. Chapman, K-. Govett, N. liarraud and G. Wright Committee-men. Messrs. O. Wakefield, and Johnson Thomson wore appointed Auditors. A good deal of di cussion took place on the proposal of Sir E. O. Gibbe* to change the name of the club to the Wellmglington Boating Club, but the motion was eventually negatived. It was decided to open the season on Satnrday week, the 15th iustact, with a procession of boats. The meeting discussed the sketch of a scheme far a sculling championship, and this will be sent to the several rowing clubs in the colony for their consideration. The alteration of some rules having been discussed, the meeting closed at 11.15 p.m. The Key. J. Lloyd Keating requests us to state that he took no publij part in the services at St. Paul's, inaugurating the present session of Synod, his name being inadvertently printed instead of that of the Rev. Mr. Western, who has lately come to this diocese from Sydney, and who read the seoond Lesson on the occasion referred to. A " captain's parade " of the Wellington Guards took place last evening, and was numerously attended. Accompanied by their exc silent band, the Guards marched through the streets of Thorndon, and were followed by a large crowd. The Excelsior Lodge of Druids will celebrate its second anniversary at the Eechabite Hall, Manners-street, this evening, when a tea, entertainment, and dance will take place. We publish in another column the programme of an attractive entertainment to be given in aid of St, Mark's School Building Fund this evening.

Towards the conclusion o£ the City Council last night, Councillor Logan asked to move without notice that a committee be appointed to wait on the Minister of Justice to ask, in regard to the proposed Central Prison at Mount Cook, whether it was intends to discharge prisoners in Wellington at the expiry of their sentences, and also whether a different site could not be chosen — whether, in fact, an exchange could not be made with the Corporation. Councillor 1 hompson eaid he had Been a gaol in Victoria which was an ornament to the town. Councillor Greenfield thought this was a matter which required consideration. He pointed out that a good deal of labour would be required in connection with the prison. Councillor M'Kenzie said he would like to Bee Mount Cook laid out as a reserve, aa an ornament to the town. He suggested that the Government might be induced to exchange it for another site belonging to the Corporation. With regard to the prison, he thought no harm would be done, providing the prisoners, on being discharged, were sent back to the towns from which they came. After some further discussion, the motion lapsed for want of a quorum, Conncillor Logan Btating that he would bring the matter forward at the next meeting. The Naval Brigade will fire at the Polhill Gully range to-morrow, for a handsome silver oup presented by the Brigade surgeon, Dr. Diver, to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, afc ranges 200. 300, and 500 yards ; five shots at each distance. A temporary transfer of the publican's license held by Sir J. D. Fraser, of the Lower Hutt, has been granted to Captain Edwin Stafford. " Travel 1 er" writes to us a,-* follows, under date of the 6th instant:— "ln my letter on Free Trade, which appeared in your columns last night, in the third line ' further opponents ' should be ' further correspondents ' ; ' JjO.OOO.OCO Equare imles ' should be ' 90,000 square miles.' " The Band of Hope held a very successful meeting at the Weslevan Chapel, Taita, last i Tuesday evening. Not only were there a large number of juveniles present, but also a good proportion of the parents and guardians. Wo also learn that the adult temperance society is making progress. The Star of Wellington Lodge held its weekly session last evening at the \thenseum, which was largely attended. The roll of membership was further increased. A pic-nic is to be held on the Prince of Wales' Birth Day, and the lodges within the jurisdiction are to take part. The teachers and scholars of Wesley Church Sunday School will celebrate their 38th anniversary next Sunday. On the following Tuesday a tea and public meeting will be held in connection with this anniversary. One great attraction in the whole of these services will be the singing of special hymns by the choir and 30) scholars, who have been carefully trained by Mr. W. R. Waters. A bazaar, as advertised, is to be held in the early part of November next. It is with considerable pleasure that we accede to a request to receive subscriptions on behalf of the Doran family, who, by the recent death of their breadwinner, the late Mr. John Doran, ponndkeeper, have been plunged into destitute circumstances. The deceased had belonged to the local police force for a period of 19 years, and was a victim of the retrenchment scheme about a year ago, when he received the appointment he held at the time of his death. He always bore an excellent character. It is now proposed to raise a fund to enable Mrs. Doran, who is left with six children, to open a shop in a small way, and towards this fund several pounds have already been subscribed. The subscription-list lies at the office of the Evening Post, and all sums received will bo acknowledged in these columns. The following donations have been collected up to the present : — W. H. Levin, M.H.R., £Z 3s ; X Stafford, £2 2s ; Blundell Bros., £1 Is : W. Whittem, £1 Is ; S. Brown, £1 Is ; T. Turnbnll, 10s 6d ; Geo. Dixon, 10s ; W. Waters, 10s ; A. J. M'Tavish, 10s ; J. M'Dowell, 10s; D.D.H., ss; Friend, ss ; C. Hendry, ss ; J. E. Hayes, 5s ; Thompson, Shannon & Co., .£3 3g. At a meeting of the Wellington Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society, held last night, a paper was read by Mr. M'Kay on the subject of "Seed-growing as a local industry." Cabbages, cut flowers, &c, were exhibited by Messrs. Ball, Cooper, and Phillips, who received votes of thanks. "Les Cloches de Cornpville" attracted another good house at the Theatre Royal last night. Ihe performance evoked the usual share of applause. The opera will be repeated to-night for the last time but one. Messrs. M'Dowell Brothers announce in our advertising columns the purchase of the stock-in-trade of a large wholesale warehouse, consisting of the clothing, shirt, and man's hosiery departments, the purchase being made at a heavy discount. They also sent out with our yesterday's issue a catalogue of goods which they have now on sale on their new cash system at much lower rates than usual. No doubt this will be a great attraction to intending purchasers of drapery and clothing. Mr. J. B. Hamilton, cash draper, Cnbastreet, calls the attention of all in want of good useful drapery, &c. , to read his new price list on next page. It will bB seen from our advertising columns that on Friday, the 21st inst., a number of valuable properties in the estatj of E. W. Mills, will be submitted for positive pale by Messrs. T. h ennedy Macdouald and Co. The properties include the valnable Lion Foundry and machinery, and the large store iv Featherston-street, now occupied by Messrs. E. W. Mills & Co. Full particulars are given in anothar column. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will sell tomorrow, fruit, produce, horses, traps, &c. Messr3. W. M'Lean & Co. will sell tomorrow, furniture, crockery, jewellery, &c. Messrs Francis Sidey & Co. will sell tomorrow, furniture, &c. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, produce, &c. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, merchandise, furniture, horse, &c. Dr. Warner's Patent Flexible Hip Corset. — This corset is made to fit the figure in every particular, not as in the case in the ordinary makes, in wiich the body ia inconvenienced by the disproportionate and unelastio shape which creases at the hips, to the great discomfort of the wearer. It has been highly approved of by many eminent physicians. Being constructed after the analogy of the human form, it is warranted not to break over the hips- The bones in it passing, like the ribs, around the body secure a perfect fi ting corset, so comfortable that a lady can lie down with ease, so flexible that it yields readily to every movement, and yet so firm that it gives great support to the sides. A choice selection of the above in white, black, and grey have just been received, and are now on view at James Smith's, Te Aro House. — fADVT.I