THE MONTHLY SUMMARY OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY NEXT, MAY 13. The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1865.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1397, 9 May 1865, Page 4

THE MONTHLY SUMMARY OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY NEXT, MAY 13. The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1865.

A proclamation against the Pai Marire or Hau Hau fanatics was published in the Gazette of the 29th April, and appeared in our paper of last Saturday. It has been directed, of course, particularly against those fanatics who took part in the massacre of the Rev. Carl Yolkner; but its terras are so general as to include all acts of barbarism whatever committed under the pretext of superstition. It may be worth notice that the proclamation is somewhat late in appearing. But its tardiness is due to accidental circumstances, and cannot therefore be imputed to any want of readiness on the part of the Government to denounce the horrible practices which culminated in the Opotiki murder. The ill-fated Mr. Yolkner's martyrdom occurred at some distance from Auckland. When the news arrived at the latter place, it had to travel to Wellington. In the Q-overnor's absence, we may presume that Ministers would await his Excellency's expression of opinion. When the course to be taken was determined on, the draft proclamation would, have to be sent to Auckland for his Excellence's approval and signature. Supposing that no delay occurred there, the signed proclamation must be returned to Wellington, and there sealed and recorded before publication. Finally, the Gazette containing the proclamation must make a trip to Auckland and the East Coast before reaching the spot where the necessity for it originated. It is possible that the people of Auckland would charge this delay to the removal of the Seat of Government. But it is in reality due to the absence of the Governor from the capital, which in this case occasioned at least one-half of the delay; and the other half might occur in any case, since the Pai Marire outrages are as likely, or more so, to take place near Wellington as near Auckland. As to the proclamation itself, its meaning is as cleat- as words can make it. The practices of the sect ot fanatics are declared to be subversive of all order and morality, and their cannibalism and other revolting acts repugnant to all humanity. Her Majesty's explicit orders not to tolerate such customs under the pretext of religious or superstitious belief, are mentioned. And therefore, the proclamation goes on to say, the Governor " will resist and suppress by force of arms, if necessary, and by every other means in his power, fanatical doctrines, rites, and practices of the aforesaid character, and will cause to be punished all persons, whereever they may be apprehended, who may be convicted of investigating or participating in such atrocities and crimes." All well-disposed persons, native as well as European, are called upon to assist to the best of their ability. It will be seen that the proclamation is directed against the creed itself, as well as its barbarous rites. We rather doubt the advisability of a crusade against mere superstition. The Hau Hau fanaticism, so far as it is a system of religion or a form of belief at all, will be rather strengthened than injured by being attacked, like all such sentiments. It is the savage practices, forming the ostensible results of the religion, with which only the State has to do. We do not undervalue the moral effect of. this proclamation. It may have a wholesome effect on the minds of the less blood-thirsty Maoris to find that a difference is made between those who fight and those who murder. But if the punishment of the latter is • really desired, we should like to see another proclamation, setting a price upon the heads i of the murderers at Opotiki, and offering a , reward for the exposure or prevention of : any such plots in future. There are well- | disposed natives enough to carry out a sysI tem of punishment by these means. [ A Parliamentary paper relating to New s Zealand affairs was laid before the House of Commons, shortly after the meeting of Par- ; liament. Wehave received a copy by the 1 late mail, and are able, accordingly, to present our readers with some rather late infor- ! mation of the Colonial Office views of the colony's affairs. The dispatches from New ! Zealaild only come down to the date of the ■ 7th November, just before thelast session of the ' Assembly. They contain, therefore, nothing r novel,excepttothose who think Parliamentary papers useful chiefly for recording points in ! dispute between two persons. The disf patches from Downing street range from ■ the sth August, 1864, to 26th January, ; 1865. Of these, the most important, up to ! and including one of the 26th September, ■ have already been made public. We begin, t therefore, with No. 12, written on the 23rd 1 of October, and give to-day four of the most f interesting, down to the latest date. There ' are some others which we may be able to f give on a future day, but they are of inferior interest. It is scarcely necessary to draw : attention to the points touched upon by Mr. Cardwell, as the dispatches will be read by all who feel the slightest interest in the subject. But it will be seen with some satisfaction that the policy of permitting the troops ' to leave the colony will be acquiesced in by the Home authorities, who, however, scarcely can have expected so immediate a response to their demand as in fact they received. L The tone of Mr. Cardwell's letter proves the soundness of the present colonial policy. He says distinctly —" It never was intended a to place the direction of native affairs in the • hands of the colonial administration, in any . auch sense as to give them the control of her Majesty's forces, either directly or indirectly." It was this want of control, i rather than the burden of expense, which . made the thinking men of the colony anxious - to get rid of an. army which was not only useless but a hindrance. It is, nevertheless, hard on the colony that the. Secretary of

State should neithercarryout his predecessor s « course of action to its logical consequences l nor make any allowance for those who suffer ; under the breach of syllogism. The third t dispatch on our list, it will be seen, expresses, along with an ample condemnation of the j Whitaker Ministry, ano less severe rebuke , for his Excellency, though it is conveyed m j fewer words. Sir George bad a Proclamation J of Peace to make to the natives. But he ' deferred making it till it helped htm to get ( rid of his advisers. Mr. Cardwell does not , approve of postponing peace for any such i reason. Indeed, his object appears to be to consider, if he can, that peace is already made, j and that he is at liberty to rejoice in the , termination of the war, which will relieve i him of burdensome responsibilities and enable j him to bring home the troops. The last dispatch closes with the announcement that Sir D. Cameron is to have instructions to , arrange for the return to England of a por- 1 tion of his force; and the latest news by the ' present mail announces that this order has . | really been given.