THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 173, 6 August 1869, Page 3

THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

Speaking on this subject the Taranaki Herald says: — An Auckland contemporary suggests that arrangements might be made with plantation holders in some of the South Sea Islands, by which Maori prisoners sentenced to transportation could be handed over to their custody for a definite period. This would do. Or, as labor is wanted in Queensland for the sugar-cane culture, we could do a cheap lot for ten years to the owners of estates there. As it has been decided over and over again that Maoris areßritish subjects and are amenable to our laws, and as these Maoris have been in rebellion, and committed murders, not to speak of other atrocities, let them be treated as British subjects. Lot them be tried as others taken in revolt have been tried, and punished as others have been punished for the self-same crime. If they are sentenced to death, let the criminals be blown from the cannon's mouth, as we did the rebels in India. This punishment would be new to the Maoris, and probably Bend more terror into their hearts than hanging. Those who were sentenced to penal servitude should be made to work in irons if they are to be employed in this island, and their labor used in making roads. As it would be better that they should not remain in the North Island ". while the Maoris are still in rebellion, we -would suggest that they be transported to the south, the colony paying for them ; the South Island would thus reap the benefit of their work, and we should be relieved ■of their presence.