THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 744, 16 December 1869, Page 3

THE NATIVE POLICY OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, December 2.) The Government is determined to leave nothing undone to propitiate the natives. They believe in taking the tide at. its flood, and sailing on to peace, and we hope their efforts rnav be crowned with abundant success. Yet we do not quite believe in their way of doing it. Our friend of the Wellington Post,—the very Mark Tapley of politics, who evidently considers knuckling under to the natives as a very desirable if not a positively pleasant process, — fancied that we had been indulging in a jeremiad over Mr M'Lean's mission to the Waikato, and indited a lengthy article to say so, but he was laboring under a complete misapprehension. We certainly thought the Defence Minister had made a mistake, and we have seen no reason to alter that opinion in the slightest degree; at the same time we had no doubt that Mr M'Lean was doing what be conceived to be right, and so far from being gloomy over it, we were rather disposed to be jolly than otherwise.

In much the same way, we cannot see the wisdom of Mr Fox just now rushing in hot baste to meet the up river Wanganui natives, and kootooing and tenaquing to any number of them. They are jubilant as well befits them. White men in similar circumstances would wait a long while before anything of the kind happened to them. Not only so. According to information, the overtures for arms and ammunition made by Topia at Pipiriki have been promptly responded to, and the Premier took with him a large quantity of these munitions of war on Saturday last. Here is the solid pudding as well as the empty prai.e. This fresh supply is sought ostensibly for the capturing of Te Jlooti, although the fact is, that had there been the least desire to capture this savage any time during last month, it might have been done. Are we not assured that he is hiding with a few followers, without fjod, and short of ammunition? Our allies are many and well provided; where he retreats they could surely follow; and all the talk of not being able to find him is so much moonshine. They cannot find him because they do not wish to do so. Yet, the story affords thorn a protoxt for seeking

more arms and ammunition, and they get them. It is just worth .mentioning besides that Topia and Pehi-—father and son were our enemies in the Waitara and have ever since refused to give in their allegiance. Why let suspects play with edged tools ? Why give arms to men who, if not foes now, at least, have been so in time past and may bo so again when it suits their purpose ? There is much talk of arms and ammunition being illegally imported into the country, and much indignation is naturally and most properly expressed when a European is found selling such things to natives, but we daresay it would be found on examination that most of the weapons used against us have been supplied as in this case.

(Wangauui Herald.) Topia wants arms to fight Te Kooti with. He thinks that the Pakeha ought to think that the spear is not sufficient against so an opponent. We thank Topia for his deep expressions of loyalty, and do think the spear is not sufficient. Topia has misjudged us altogether. Parris is very blind, and Booth, like the bat, can only see in the dark, but it is very well known that there are some, a great many, good rifles in the possession of Topia and his party. The Waitotara natives have not yet given up their arms, and as they are living under the wing of Topia, they can supply him if he is short of them. If the Government committed the unpardonable error of their predecessors in supplying doubtful natives with arms, they deserve the severest censure * Te Kooti would be a most desirable acquisition, and the Government might offer Topia an inducement in a sum of money —say £IOOO for him, dead or alive—and the good and safe principle of no work no pay would be adhered to. It is rather suspicious when we find the first demand of Topia, following upon overtures for peace, to be for rifles. Experience has taught the Government wisdom, and we are confident that native demands and the advice of Maori doc tors will be carefully considered befure any rash promises are made.

* Those arras were supplied at the recommendation of the present Native Minister. The " unpardonable error " of the late Government consisted in placing so much confidence in that gentleman's judgment—Ed. 11. B. T.