THE PRESENT CRISIS.-PEACE OF WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1096, 13 May 1863, Page 2

THE PRESENT CRISIS.-PEACE OF WAR.

(BY NA WHAKAARO.) Now,when the North Island seems about to be plunged into a bloody and protracted war, can anything be done to avert this dreadful calamity? If it once should commence, it will not be a war like the last; it has now approached day by day to what will be a war of races, entailing extermination on the one side, and years of comparative poverty, and much misery on the other. Let us for a moment glance at the main features of the question at issue. There are two leading acts of the Maori to be noticed. Ist. The Taranaki Land League ; 2nd. The election of a King at Ngaruawahia. These two acts were the result of Thompson's attempt to obtain " law and order " among the Maori. Glance now at the opposite side of the question, and to the one act of honest, upright Colonel Gore Browne, the act for which he has been blamed and belied by unthinking or interested parties, viz., the declaration made by him —that every man, native or European, shall have a right to dispose of his own property, as he may see fit, and that no coercion shall be allowed to be used by one native to another, and guaranteeing protection to any native who may wish to dispose of land, such being his own property; and let us remember that it was in endeavoring to carry out this thoroughly just and English law, which was of course opposed to the spirit of Thompson's two acts (viz., the Land League and King making), that the blow was struck at Taranaki, which resulted in the last native war. It is not my present intention to enter into the merits or demerits of that struggle, the thing to be considered now is, shall we with open eyes, as colonists of New Zealand, permit our brother settlers in the north to be harassed and worn out by a second (but more fearful) edition of the same blood-stained page of history; or shall we not rather lift up our voices in remonstrance ere it be too late. It is our bounden duty to do so, and as the policy of the past has proved altogether ineffectual to improve or settle our relations with our Maori neighbors, let a more noble, manly, and generous policy be adopted; let us deal with them as men, not as fools or children. We can afford to be generous ; let us not, as in the past, treat them as unruly boys, by seeking to punish them in an undignified manner, but let us lay down a certain fair line of policy—make them a fair and manly offer, which, if they refuse, the blame of the refusal will lay with themselves alone, and our hands as civilized men and christians (in event of such a refusal) will be free from blood guiltiness. The past policy was not calculated to encourage the Maori, and never has produced one single iota of good to Maori or Pakeha; on the contrary, mistrust and suspicion have filled the Maori mind with ideas altogether derogatory to us as British colonists. My present object is to offer the Maori a new set of arrangements, beneficial to both Pakeha and Maori, giving them (the Maori) as the largest land-owners and fellow settlers in New Zealand, a voice in the management of their own affairs, a thing to be desired, but which has never yet been carried out in the bold, liberal, and generous spirit so requisite to attract the attention and meet the views of the Maori. I will now lay down before my readers a scheme of policy, the result of many years personal study of Maori character and usages, and calculated, as I think, to allay the irritation between the races, | and rapidly improve the condition and prospects of S both Maori and Pakeha. I would only add that unless their rights and claims are recognised, and some scheme adopted on the following plan, the future of New Zealand will be one long career of bloodshed and misery. If some of these propositions seem startling at first sight, recollect they have been well thought of in all their bearings. I ask my readers then to think over them carefully before condemning hastily. I would then propose : —

1. That as the Maori mind has been directed towards a King for the avowed purpose of maintaining "law and order," permit their so called " King" to retain his position as head representative of the Maori by the title of "Prince," shewing them that as the late Prince Consort held the highest rank in Great Britain, so would Matataera under the title of "Pirinihi," or Prince, be the highest in New Zealand. 2. That on their agreeing to this, and consenting to acknowledge our Queen also, the Government should support him in his position as Maori Prince, by allowing him a voice in the affairs of New Zealand, which, as Prince of an intelligent people, he has a right to demand; and for that purpose let him have twelve chief advisers chosen from the twelve principle divisions of the island, that these, and a private secretary with an executive of three, should form the Prince's Council or Head Runanga or Court of Appeal. 3. That in each of these principle divisions a Pakeha adviser should be chosen from such district or division by the natives themselves, as a proper person to advise with on affairs concerning both races, and that in all disputes between Pakeha and Maori these twelve Pakeha officials shall take their places in the Prince's Court of Appeal at Ngaruawahia for the furthering of law and justice.

4. That for the further advancement of both races, and to prevent all disputes, a Pakeha shall be chosen also by the Maori of each province, to represent them in the Provincial Council of each province, and in all matters betwixt Pakeha and Maori within the ordinary jurisdiction of the Provincial Council; and in all matters concerning native affairs the Maori representative shall have a voice, and shall communicate with, and consult the Pakeha official of the Prince's Court of Appeal, that they together may advance the interests of their Maori constituents, and work as colleagues. 5. That a Maori " General Assembly " be held at Ngaruawahia, consisting of the Prince and his Executive, the twelve principal chiefs and their twelve Pakeha advisers, and the Prince's secretary, at certain stated periods, for listening to the reports of the two Pakeha officials representing the Maori name in each province, and to this assembly the two head chiefs of each province shall accompany their representatives to consult on matteis relative to the well being of both races. 6. That, after due consultation, these matters concerning cases of Pakeha and Maori conjointly, on which the Council of Ngaruawahia are not fully agreed, shall be brought before the General Assembly of Auckland on the day set apart for the deliberation of native affairs, and should no definite conclusion be arrived at on such matter of moment, the highest Court of Appeal to be the Governor and Executive, in conjunction with the Prince and his Executive—this appeal to be made only in matters of the greatest moment concerning the vital interests of both races. 7. In order to maintain general good feeling, all assessors, wardens, and policemen appointed by the Governor, and now in office, shall still retain office, Prince Potatau agreeing thereto, he having liberty to appoint a certain number to be named by him, chosen by each tribe, and approved of by his Executive. 8. The police, whether chosen already by the Governor, or to be appointed hereafter by the Governor or the Prince, shall be duly enrolled, dressed in a cheap but showey uniform, and each policeman shall .receive a number with a distinguishing mark or letter, signifying the particular district he belongs to. 9. For the better construction of, and working out of order and justice, a body of laws shall be constructed by the Court of Ngaruawahia, and the Assembly in Auckland shall amend and approve them. 10. That the law of utu (as better suiting Maori usages) shall be revived in a modified form to assist in the construction of these laws, to apply chiefly to cases of theft and personal violence. 11. Murder, rape, arson, and treason to be considered capital crimes as in English law. 12. That in all cases of sentence when death is awarded, and the criminal so sentenced is a Maori, Prince Potatau and his Executive to be present at the trial, and the Prince to have a voice in the matter previous to the passing of such sentence; this to apply only to cases where the victim has been a Pakeha and the murderer a Maori. 13. That when sentence of death has been passed and recorded against a Pakeha for the tnurder of a Maori,an appeal to the Prince be allowed the condemned, that the Prince may learn to exercise his prerogative and temper justice with mercy, and thus gradually, in

process of time, soften the law of utu in the Maori mind as regards blood for blood.

14. All crimes of Pakeha v. Maori, or Maori v. Pakeha, shall be tried by Supreme Court, Prince Potatou, as his people's head representative, having a place on the bench, and being allowed a voice in the matter on any point in the evidence, when appealed to by the prisoner. 15. All minor offences of Maori v. Maori to be tried by their own runanga courts and court of appeal at Ngaruawahia; and in minor offences where a Pakeha is concerned, the case shall be tried in full runanga, that is before the Maori judge of the district and his Pakeha adviser, with the full runanga of that iwi or hapu in the district where the offence has been committed ; always allowing appeal to a higher court. 16. That Pakeha and Maori police, whether the Government police or the Native karere, shall have free access to any part of New Zealand in pursuit of offenders of either race, and all Pakeha police shall be protected and assisted in the search after offenders ; and in each district (of the 12) one head police officer shall be stationed, whose duty shall be to see that the warrant given to the policeman is signed by the Chief, or representative of that district (i.e., one of the twelve members of the Prince's Court), and any violation of this protection shall be punished by the Prince's Court. The said warrant to bear the countersign or signature of the Pakeha magistrate issuing such warrant.

17. That in all cases in which the Prince and his advisers shall issue a warrant for the apprehension of a serious offender, the same shall be sent to the Pakeha magistrate of the district, and his signature or countersign shall be attached thereto, in every case in which the offender is a Pakeha.

18. That on the Prince's accepting the overtures of the Governor, his authority as head representative of the Maori race shall be supported, and for that purpose a house shall be built for him at Ngaruawahia, in some situation chosen by himself, or at the township already surveyed in 1857 (it was intended for a city, laid out in acre allotments, with good streets at right angles); let his residence then be built there to carry out the Maori idea, —that the house shall have near it a large runanga hall, to be called the Maori House of Assembly.

19. Also, that a large tract of land be set aside for cultivation in the European style, and superintended by an intelligent Pakeha farmer, for the encouragement of the Natives in agricultural pursuits, to be called the Prince's Farm; and young men desirous of learning shall thus have an opportunity of acquiring agricultural knowledge.

20. That for the present no industrial schools shall be attempted, as they are looked on with suspicion by the Maori, save and except the abovementioned agricultural school (if it can be called such) at Ngaruawahia,

21. That a residence be provided for the Prince in Auckland, suited to his rank as the Maori representative, suitably and neatly but plainly furnished, with sleeping accommodation for himself and advisers, say twenty persons in all, when they proceed to Auckland to attend the court or General Assembly, the object being to teach them to respect themselves, and leave off old Maori habits of living. 22. That a uniform be allowed him (at his own desire), as a distinctive acknowledgment of his rank, to be worn by him when sitting in English courts, and at his own option at other times. This, as a Chief and Prince of his race, he is entitled to, and Maoris generally like show of a proper sort, and can appreciate it.

23. That immediate steps be taken (as soon as convenient), at the request or with the consent of the Maori themselves, to arrange a proper system of education. Adult education in the English language to be vigorously followed up. 24. That a revival of religion among the Maori be encouraged. But that all clergymen, of any sect whatever, be discouraged and hindered from interfering in political affairs, and shall have no voice in any matters connected with the Maori, save in matters religious or ecclesiastical. 25. That no pakeha magistrate shall be located on Maori land, save with the voice and consent of the Maori. 26. That no native offender shall be apprehended on the warrant of a pakeha magistrate only, without the same is countersigned by one of the 12 Maori judges of court, or the chief of the district. 27. That any of the 12 pakeha advisers of the Prince's Court shall be empowered to sign and issue a warrant for the apprehension of either pakeha or Maori offenders, the warrant being duly countersigned by the chief of the district, or by the district judge of the Maori (Prince's) Court, i. e., one of the 12 advisers (Maori.) 28. That steps be taken for a general reconnaissance and trigonometrical survey of the whole North Island, and the principal tribes and their pahs be marked carefully, and maps prepared of the same. 29. That all lands shall be open to sale by the Maori, save and except certain large reserves to be made for the Maori and their heirs for ever, which cannot be bought or sold. 30. But that these lands so reserved may be leased under certain laws and restrictions (to be treated of hereafter.) 31. That free and direct purchase and leasing of land be encouraged, and that every Maori shall have a right to dispose of his own land as he may see fit.

32. That in all cases wherein a Pakeha may have been negotiating with a Maori for the purchase or lease of land, he shall thereafter write to the Prince's secretary, who will then appoint an official to proceed with him to the spot, accompanied by the District Pakeha (one of the 12); that on the land being seen and surveyed, that officer shall, on matters being explained and arranged, notify the same to the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner; and the deed of leasa or sale must be countersigned by the Prince or one of his Executive, before the transaction becomes legal. Too much care cannot be taken in land purchasing and leasing. 33. That on the conclusion of a bargain for the purchase of any land, one-third of the purchase money be paid down, and the other two-thirds at intervals of a year—of course, duly attested as above. 34. In order to guide all parties, a fixed scale of charges, for rental, leas?, or purchase, be arranged at a general assembly of Pakeha and Maori officials as soon as possible, according to the different descriptions and quality of the land. 35. That any hapu or tribe wishing to rent their lands, shall report the same to the Pakeha officer of the district and his Maori colleague; and they shall take immediate steps to bring the same before the Prince's Court; and after it is approved of by that body, it shall be offered to public competition at the fixed scale of charges agreed on. Provided that no private person has been negotiating with the tribe or hapu who is willing to pay the fixed rates. At least a month's notice to be given bsfore day of sale. 36. But no land shall be leased on any pretence whatever, or bargained for, or purchased without strict compliance with every form prescribed by law. 37. Offenders against these laws to be punished by fine ,as according to the reorganised law of utu. 38. All purchasers or leasers of land shall pay te Government a certain fixed annual per centagc on leases, and a fixed per centaje on the purchasemoney, in event of purchase extending over the allotted time allowed for payment of native lands. 39. That after the surveys of the island, steps shall be taken i.i the General Assembly and Maori Assembly to lay out lines of road—main trunk roads through the island to the different settlements being first attempted. The direct overland road from Wellington to Napier, and thence to Auckland, being the main trunk road of the island. 40. That natives be employed in constructing roads, either by contract or daily wage. 41. A court for the recovery of Maori debts be appointed as the Government may see fit, Prince Matataera having a voice in the matter. I would advise that he be appointed chief assessor of the debt court, and sit on all cases in full council, and that a fixed per centage be paid into court for the defrayment of expenses (as no lawyers are employed). 42. No Government magistrates, interpreters, or officials of any kind to be appointed to any office or sent to any Maori district, without especial permission, or at request of the Prince. This is to prevent the jealous feeling with which natives regard the past and present policy. 43. That protection to travellers be guaranteed,

and a fixed rate of charges for ferries and crossin be arranged, in distinct terms, for man, horse c or bullock, and sheep, and so much for every p horse load, —and that the rate and scale of char - be affixed to boards on both sides of the rivers^ 3 crossing places. ( ' r 44. That on the ratification of the above, and t} settlement of the Waitara question by the Govern 10 and Executive, and the Prince and his both parties calling witnesses at their pleasure i*'. mutual consent, a general assembly shall be ||~m at Auckland to pass laws and arrange matters in', amicable manner. <in 45. That then and there all who have killed one shall be summoned to answer for this crimf and their arrest effected ; and that everv sn ? offender be tried in full court (Pakeha and Maori °' 46. Parties or individuals who have stolen J " 0 retained Pakeha property shall be compelled J account for possession of the same, and be judged by the remodelled law of utu in full court. b 47. All these matters being agreed to by thp Maori, immediate steps shall be taken for the r turning of the troops to England: but, before their removal, every man capable of bearing armought to volunteer, and in order to to do this openlv and without arousing the jealousy of the Maori mind, a local militia of Maori shall be raised t< consist of companies; parties of these Maori to act as soldiers in different parts of the Maori kingdom, if wanted, but more especially in garrison This may seem a bold idea, but it must be remembered that the nearer the Maori assimilate to our soldiers in habits of discipline and order, and the closer they are brought in contact, the more likelv they will be at once to own our superiority, and in the event of a mutiny, be sooner put down.' ; 48. That different local corps of volunteers be at once started for all the young men of New Zealand in the several towns and settlements, and by rewards, uniforms, &c., an impetus be given to this movement. It only requires to be shown to the public of New Zealand that they will not be humbugged in any way, and the lists of every proposed corps in New Zealand would be filled to overflowing Show the settlers of New Zealand that they are actually required to do this for self-defence, and not for a mere piece of sport or show, and mark the result. The nation fully prepared for war is the surest of peace. 49. That a certain rate of pay be given to the militia or Maori troops ; that they shall live in barracks, and be clad in a showy uniform—something like the Turcos or Zouaves, with a red blanket for a covering by night on their knapsack. 50. That the restrictions on powder and caps (i.e. ammunition) be removed; and that arms be also allowed to be sold under the same laws as they are sold to the Pakehas. This act alone will remove all doubt and suspicion from the Maori mind. Winshould we keep powder from them if they are on friendly terms with us ? We need not be afraid of them: only we must add to the restriction imposed on the Pakeha, that the Maori order for his supply of ammunition, besides being signed by the Pakeha magistrate, must be countersigned by the Prince or one of his executive. This, of course, not to be done hastily, nor until even/thing regarding Waitara and other questions is finally settled. Concerning education, wrecks, revenue, and mails, I will treat in my next, as well as suggest improvements that might be made in many things. I can only trust that my plan may be adopted, or some other better policy proposed in its stead before long.