Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 54, 13 June 1846, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New-Zealamler. Sir, — The present state of affairs in New .Zealand is one that demands the anxious thoughts or the settler, as well as of the general philanthropist. These frequent changes of Governors, each adopting a different line of policy, threatens to be a source ot great danger in our present critical position j e>

pecially, as we seem to be altogether unprovided now with any person of weight, whose experience, knowledge, and independence would serve to act as a check on the rashness or ignorance of those gentlemen who undertake to govern us with only general principles and official instructions for their guidance. The knowledge of the past should serve to direct us in the future. The proceedings at Port Nicholson, of which an account was given in your late papers, -seem to have been characterized by two remarkable blunders, for which it is difficult to assign a reason. Ist. How was it that aggressive movements were made on a people known to be so vindictive, while so many settlers were so much exposed to mischief? 2nd. One cannot but feel surprised at the high and exasperating carriage of the Governor in refusing to entertain the question of compensation, which the Natives proposed, for their crops. Surely, with such a people, and under such circumstances, the safest error would have been on the side of treaty and forbearauce. A N.itive, when he considers himself wronged, will do almost anything to seek satisfaction, Still one cannot throw much blame on his Excellency. In him we seem to have a man that combines, in a large measure, the qualities of a good Governor; and, in this matter, he can scarcely be considered to have been his own master. All who have at heart the prosperity of this colony* mu9t have observed with solicitude the impatience of'iMjftivfe provocation, and the desire for hostile measures, which up. to the late outbreaks had characterized most of our publications, particularly those of the southward. His Excellency has, also no doubt, come prepared to .fu&ther the views of the New Zealaud Company; — a company all-powerful at home,— who were established for gelting land, and by whom land must be got on atiy terms. Their bad and hasty purchases have now no other remedy, except the all-satisfactory power of force. A bad title they endeavoured to patch up with bullying. Their attempt failed, and fail<«d"hiost disastrously. They then importuned the Government to take up the quarrel. The Government haye 1 done so ; and now dark, indeed, are the prospects that open before the settlers of Wellington. Auckland is now enjoying a large measure of peace and security. The question is 41 ,' hbw long will it be permitted to enjoy it ? Our position throughout the whole Island is anything but satisfactory. Trie Native sufters his wrougs, and resents them in his own way: the settler is altogether indisposed to yield any of those rights and privileges he enjoyed in his own native land *, and without making any concession to prejudices and ignorance, seems to consider that the aboriginal inhabitant must at once be forced into hi? system ; while he will express, also, vast surprise and disgust if the other thinks of euforcing against him any of tho^e customs in which, he has growu up, and by which all his notions are modelled. The grand object of our government should be, to discover some general principles of colonial policy' by which our customs may be accommodated to those ot the Native; and by which we may be saved the dangers sure to result to ourselves from hostile collision with them. The settler has great interests at stake— the native feels, comparatively, little or any amount of injury inflicted upon him^,short of taking his life, The native has his own ideas of justice, and will be guided by them. It will take a long time to persuade him that ours are the best, and ate the ouly ones now to be recognized in the country. I would urge, therefore, a survey of the different colonial regulations of the different parts of our colonial empire. 2nd. That we also carefully study the native, customs autl character as far as we may be brought into contact with them. 3rd. That we concentrate our settlements, and thus expose the smallest possible number of weak points. 4th. Let timely steps be taken to preveut the evils which threaten from hasty and partial purchases of laud. sth. Let us adopt the principle (which I rejoice to see you advocate) of acting on the defensive, instead uf offensive. 6. In all our dealings with. them let ns remember, that it is our highest duty, and our highest interest, to exercise the gift of forbearance. I would not, however, urge biind <or timid concession, neither would 1 approve of those attempts at conciliation which inexperienced people make, but which generally have an opposite effect. No forbearance, concession, or conciliation can be judicious that is not in accordance with native habits, notions, and real wants. 1 It will be long before a native wil) really feel our i power. He will be infinitely more benefited if both our Government, aud ourselves individually, make him see and feel that we are his superiors in the most noble characteristics of the civilized man, as well of veal power, — condescension, benevolence, and forgiveness. And this leads me, lastly, to observe, that we ought to shew them that ive have their inteterests at heart. They regard us as a set of greedy land -buyers, solely intent on self-aggrandizement; and what have we to convince them to the contrary? Are they not too often abused, cheated, and insulted ? What has this Government (which demands so much /from them} given as an equivalent for the concessions they make? Who represents their interests in the Government ? Has the Government made any provision for their instruction, or do itheir sick and wounded meet in us any of those kind sympathies which they are led to expect .from onr superior wealth and influence? Have we not, instead of advaiicing, actually retrograded, from the principles on which 'we fouuded our colony ? We began with talking about a reserve for the benefit of the aborigines : the subject seems now to have been consigned to total silence and neglect. Is it not plain, then, that the Government, while it claims everything gives nothing : aud we need not feel surprised if hereafter we find, as we are feeling now to our cost, that this people, if unreclaimed and uncivilized, will be a thoru and a scourge in the side of ourselves and our children. I remain, sir, i Your's, &c. I CASSANDRA.