THE GOVERNMENT versus LOYAL NATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1111, 6 June 1867, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT versus LOYAL NATIVES.

To the Editor of tho New Zealand Herald. Sir,—We have frequently had occasion to complain that our conduct towards the Maori races was misunderstood and misrepresented in the old counntry. The colony has unquestionably suffered considerable loss through tho publication of false charges against it, and as a rulo, colonists at home aro powerloas to refute Buch charges. Henco it should bo tho duty of thoBU -who control tho colonial press to be cautious about publishing mischievous charges, until themselves satisfied of their truth. The worst charges levelled against us in England havo beon " founded " on somothing written in tho colony. Such being tho case, it was with regret I saw in tho Southern Cross latoly, a letter, originallr published in tho Ilatcke's Hay Herald, from a person named Wylie, in which our Government is distinctly charged with tho most gross injustice towards tho " loyal" Maoris ; and that charge is reprinted also in the Cross's monthly summary. With the particulars of that chargo "no one but an official" is oompotont to deal, it may bo true, in which cato tho colonists of Now Zealand ought to hido their heads in Bliaino, and tho Government by whose orders it is dono ought to bo impeachod. Exeter Hall would also bo justified for tho worst it has said of us. But, sir, I am not prepared to admit tho truth of tho charge without somo further evidence. It is too important a chargo to bo accepted off-hand. It implies conduct too disgraceful, not only to our rulers, but to tho poople who allow such conduct, and submit to euch rulers, to bo decidcd without hearing both sides. The district in question (East Coaßt south of East Cape) is part of the Provinco of Auck-. land, although actually under tlio control of officials connocted with Ahuriri (Hawko's Bay). It is no duty of mine to defend thoso officials, but I venture to hopo that they could disprove tho charge; if not, thoy ought to bo punishod along with the Government undor which they act. If they havo really tried to cheat tho loyal Maoris, who havo fought under our side, out of tbo best of their land, as II r. Wylie writes, then wo must admit that wo aro collectively a set of mean scoundrels ; hut Buch charges ought not to bo published unless founded on fact, and supported by indisputable evidence,—l am, &c., Electoe. Juno 3, 1867.