THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2156, 1 April 1879, Page 2

THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

(communicated. ) That the position taken up by the Maoriea in the matter of the land dispute in Taranaki is not generally known, is apparent from the writings of the press. That the natives should have any consideration at all in the matter, seems, never to enter into the minds of writers. The Maoris are quite aware that the Waimate Plains are inoluded in the confiscation, which was proclaimed after the close of the war, 1862-4. Their idea of confiscation, however, is, that it is of no force unless attended by occupation and settlement. Now, since that war, and during and since the close of the raid of Tito Kowaru in 1868-9 (the result of which they maintain was not adverse to them), they hire been left in undisturbed possession of the whole territory. One attempt certainly was made (in 1869) to survey the land, when, as in the present oase, the surveyors were moved off, and their tents burned down. What followed was the usual rigorous policy of the Native Office, which had its due effect upon the native mind. The Commissioner for the district was instructed to meet the Natives and assure them that itwasnotthe intention of the Government to take the land for nothing — that they would be compensated fur it. The rate of compensation, they were informed, would be perhaps half-a-crown per acre. The proffered ktndnesi was disdainfully rejected. Nothing resulted from this negotiation, jsave an impression upon the minds of the natives that the land was admittedly theirs. Moreover, the fact that the Government have since been purchasing confiscated lands from the natives of the settled districts, south of the Waimate boundary confirmed that impression. As is known, an Armed Constabulary camp has long been established at Waihi, near to the Waingongoro River ; the boundary of what have all along been termed the "settled" and "unsettled" districts. The camp boasts of a high tower, commanding an extensive view of the confiscated plains beyond, whence can be detected any hostile movements on the part of the natives. As the King Country to its inhabitants, so has this country long been to the hapua living upon it — an exclusively terra Maori. They wish to maintain it intact, preferring

that, to disposing of, or leasing any portion of ir. It is common to denounce, sweepingly, the natives on every occasion of disturbauce, and to call upon the strong arm of power to crush them. No motives other than the offspring of savagery are ever credited them. But there is a nobility of motive among many of them. There are those whom a pride of race with the regard for its permanency and a watchfulness of outward contaminating influences leads them to prefer isolation as the only refuge from speedy extinction. They show aversion to the so-called civilising influence of European settlement among them. They despairingly see that in I those wayside institutions which rise with i lie settlement of the pakeha the "survival of the fittest " is terribly illustrated by their own race. They would fain prolong its existence by a primitive life, which is the only one which would favor it. They would rather enjoy from afar a reflected ray of the glory of civilisation with its attendants, and profit by what moral warmth it contains, than that the full blaze of it should overcome them on the threshhold of their dwellings. The philanthropist might see in this desire a prosper for the race and a field for his benevolence, and on the land question the Attorney-General might, with h»s Mill and Spencer, spend a few weeks humanely in indoctrinating Parihaka with the long exploded views of land tenure. Te Whiti, as is known, is the great harrier to the influence of the Native Office among the Waimate Natives. But for him, there would be no great difficulty in attaining the object in view, by means of compromise. Tito Kowarii is solaced for his abstention from active interference by the faithful discharge by the Government, of his grog and blanket bills. He is shrewd and sensible, and impressionable, but ho is careful not to influence his people to his -view of the inevitable. Te Whiti occupies a very high position and influence among his hapu and beyond it. He knows this, and is tearful of any loss of it The man has a marked individuality. He is a wonderful speaker. His orations, however, are to a great extent unintelligible, even to those who are constantly around him. He is totally inaccessible to reason. When worsted, he (after the manner of the cuttle fish) ejects a great quantity of Old Testament mud, (which has been his only spiritual and intellectual food for many years), and disappears. Mr Sheehan should have known Te Wbifci's character, and ahoaid not have committed the mistake of going to Parihaka. In any case he should not have demanded the surrender of Hiroki without a force at some distance from the seine, to compel it. A war of words with Te Whiti mnst always be unfruitful. Te Whiti cannot afford to lose his prestige. It is to him his life. But for the Minister's threat of upholding the law in Hiroki's case, it is doubtful that the removal of the surveyors from the plains would have taken place — at any rate so soon. Mr Sheehan's too frequent peregrinations among the natives are not favorable to his influence. Veneration and awe are best inspired among a rude people by seclusion. Eastern potentates know this, and so should Native Ministers. Had he capable officials (which he has not) he would, with his generous and straightforward aims, administer his department better from headquarters. Tt will bo seen that the Minister has a h;ird talk before him— to overcome Te Whiti without injuring his prestige, to overcome the desire of the natives that their loved Waimate should be theirs alone, and to demonstrate to them, without force, that their long possession of these lands did not avert the con6scation that was a necessity of Native policy — or to land a sufficient force on Gape Egmont to overawe them.