Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 28, 13 December 1845, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Ntw-Zealander, Sir,— Much has of late been said and written, with a view to bring under especial notice, the Al'originalProtectiondepartment, tothe end that the same might be abolished. Now, believing as I do, that a great deal of the present evil existing in the colony has been brought about by the past unnecesssary intei ference of the Protectors, between the Natives and Whites, I am induced to offer for public consideration the following observations upon the working of the office in New Zealand. I am not one of those who would desire to see the original occupieis of this or any other country, deprived of their legitimate right to iheir possessions ; nor the produce of their industry wrested from them for nought, by the hands of covetous, and avariciousinen ; no — God forbid : but while I would scrupulously maintain a righteous course of equity towaids my sable neighbour — I would also be most anxious that justice and fairness should be observed in relation to my own couutrymen. Now the system of Aboriginal protection was, no doubt, called for by the treatment which the natives of other countries had received at the hands of civilized intruders; and the praiseworthy efforts of the .tiumane, benevolent, and philanthropic individuals of England, who exerted themselves for the preservation of barbarous men, from the cruelties of evil disposed Europeans — will never be forgotten. Still, this principle of protection has been, in the warmth of their zeal, extended beyond the limits of discretion, and, in the instance of New Zealand, has been rnos>t giossly mis-applied. New South Wales, South, and Western Australia, afforded ample fields for the operations of the Aboriginal Protection So ciety's labours— There it became the duty of their Agents, in addition to seeing that no brutality was exercised towards the natives with impunity, to induce them, with much solicitude, to «>nga£e in industrial pursuits, and educational improvement, facilities for which were placed within their reach. Settlements were established for the Vdrious tribes, where they might assemble and participate in comforti to which they had ever been strangers, from their {disposition to wandering and indolence. At each of those settlements resided a Protector — prepared to impart all necessary teaching as well as to prescribe medical aid in case of their sickness. And by such a course as this the agents of the Protection Society be-

came the planters of civilization, which is now progressing, among a race of tribes who were foliar sunk in human barbarism. The New Zealaaders, however, are widely different. When Protectors were appointed over them they had become "sufficiently alive to tbeir own interests " not to allow themselves to be trampled upon or insulted with impunity } they had lived residences— and cultivations surrounding them j they had acquired religious and other education from the Missionaries, who had indeed been successful in improving their minds, and in few instances did they require the aid of a Protector to make calculations of payment to be received for the sale of their lands. But, nevertheless, Protectors were appointed, and that very circumstance led the acute New Zealander to believe that England was distrustful of her own sons. Suspicion was thereby engendered — and the settlers who before were considered benefactors and friends, sank now in the estimation of the Natives— who were taught to esteem them as far from honest men. Misunderstanding arose between the two races, which the Protectors endeavoured not to soothe — but rather by their inteference, assuming the character of Lawyers pleading a cause, who endeavour at all hazards, to make out a good case for their clients, conttibuted to the perpetuation of animosity in the minds of flip Native towaids the white man — which has broke violently forth, and now emends against the Government itself. And such have been the benefits conferred upon New Zealand by the Protectorate system. Far be it from me to ague that the Natives of these islands should not, with ourselves, be justly represented in the Government of the Colony. Their interests have claims as well as ours. But in making laws for the two races, let not our Governois forget, as they seem to have hitherto done, that their own countrymen have a right to Britain's ■protection against the savage laws and depraved customs of the Maories. And when our property or persons are assailed-— instead of, as heretofore, Protectively talking of modes of " native payment " for supposed or alleged injuries done to " tabu's," and such absurdities, let the grievances be decided by the laws of civil men — the Native properly represented in the Court of Law, — and in such cases and in all other negociations and arrangements, where Government intefcrenrce is requisite — let trustworthy, impartial interpreters be employed^who will tell " the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the trnth"— without favour or affection. And here I would remark, that none would be more fitting for such office, than several of those gentlemen who now hold the office of Sub-Protectors. They have hitherto done the drudgery of that department, and were they alone responsible to the Government for the impartial fulfilment of their duties — their conduct would be different fi om that which has been urged upon them, by their present infatuated Chief. I most firmly believe that had the Native Protectors when called, upon to interfere between the two races, conducted themselves towards both with impartiality, and truth the lamentable state of things which now exist would have been averted. Had they not blackened their own countrymen, who, in theorderof Providence, became resident here, and held them up to the •• mind's eye " of the Native as beings in general of worthless character, many of the settlers would be undisturbedly in possession of their now lost homes : and had they remembered that the Native disposition as well as that of other mm, is " prone to evil " — the suffering Colonists should not have heard them so often assert,inthe very face of the white man's calamity — as in the case of the Wangari refugeees — "You must have been the aggre&sors — we will not believe that Natives, unprovoked, would act as you state." 1 will conclude these remarks by quoting an extract from instructions forwarded by the Secretary of the Wesle> an Missionary Society, to the Missionaries of that body in New Zealand, at the time when Captain liobson was sent to treat for the sovereignty of the islands: and had such course as is there directed been pursued by the Protectors, they might have contributed to cement the interests of both races in bonds of mutual advancement, and earned for themselves that good will and esteem from Native and Colonist, of which they are now so justly deprived " Whenever it becomes your duty to defend the Natives under your care against aggressions, let it be by an appeal to law. We trust, that in your advocacy of the cause of the Natives, you will act with judgment and Christian temper, and, with the steady maintenance of the rights of the Aborigines, will eveidisplay towards the Colonists so much, of the spirit of kindness and such a readiness to promote their welfare to the utmost of your ability, as will convince them that our opposition as a Society to their plans of Colonization, has really resulted from principle, and not from any personal or party consideration whatever."— Appendix No. 2£, to Mimutes of Ev. before Select Com. on New Zealand. I remain, bir, your's, &c, EURONESIA. Dec. 9th, 1845.