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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 974, 1 September 1868, Page 3

Colonel Haultain's Peoclamation. — Previous to leaving Wanganui, the hon. the Defence Minister caused the following to be published in the English and Maori languages, for circulation throughout the Patea districts :— " The Government are aware that the atrocities which have been committed recently in the Patea District, tend to create distrust and suspicion of the ISTgatiruanui tribes in general, which, if indulged in and shown unfairly, must certainly produce general hostility. Their efforts to prevent the spread of the disturbances can only be successful by cordial co-operation on the part of the European population at large. They appeal confidently, therefore, not only for that courage in difficulty which is common to our nation, but for forbearance and self-restraint in all dealings with that part of the Maori population which has not declared for rebellion. The position of those natives is one of difficulty and temptation, and any injustice or harshness of act or language by Europeans,' must tend to drive them in that direction to which sympathies of race and circumstances already incline some of them, although they are honorably withheld by horror, for the crimes of the miscreants of Ngutu-o-to-manu." —T. M. Haultain. Wanganui, August 18, 1868. The Panama Mail Company is rivalling the Peninsular and Oriental in punctuality, and putting to shame those who have persistently decried it, and who were loud in their declaration that it "never could be of any postal value to Victoria. It is now admitted that with a better adjustment of the times of arrival and departure, it would afford not exactly a fortnightly service, but an alternate one of great value. The European news, by the m,ail just arrived is not of much importance, but that from "California and the west coast of Soiith America is of great commercial value, and the outgoing mail really afforded an excellent opportunity for corresponding not only with those parts but with England. It has ever been the practice of the sham free-trade party to refuse fair play to the Panama Company, and to insist on its rival the P. and O. Company having secured to it the monopoly of a fortnightly contract. It is clearly the duty of a community to recognise every service that affords increased means of communication, and, much as we are in favor of the Cape route, we would willingly accord to the Panama Company support to the extent to which the route is found available. The sinister infiuenco of a party has hitherto prevented justice being done to the other colonies at whose sole expense the Panama line is maintained, and this has led to the adoption of a policy of reprisals carried to such an absurd extreme that Victorian newspapers are chargeable with a postage rate varying from two to ten shillings, while on the other hand merchants who object to the line bping recognised do not scruple to send parcels of letters to Sydney to be there posted for transmission by it. The sooner this ridiculous warfare is ended the better, especially as there is a prospect of the line becoming the most expeditious of all. WJien the great Atlantic and Pacific Eailway across North America is finished, and it is in rapid progress, the mails from Melbourne to London will be Carried in about forty days. The calculations vary from thirty-nine to forty-four. There is room for all the competing lines, and no favor should be' shown to either. Victoria should be able to take the whole responsibility of the Cape route.—Mel"bourne Leader,