COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5497, 30 June 1879, Page 6

COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sra, —Tho object of Te Whiti to force the Government to strike the first blow is now so apparent thatitisuselesa to try and deceive ourselves and others longer by false idea?, that the Maoris are merely trying the legality of their claims to tho confiscated lands. From tho meeting at Waikato to the present moment every deception has boen tried. The production of those wretched firearmß; the apparent desire to obtain powder, when they are so well provided with both, is nothing but a well-laid schemo to lull the pakoha into a false security. Fortunately, wo have now Colonel VVhitmoro to direct affairs, whose knowledge of Maori tactics, and prompt action, is proverbial. As a commander, he has not his equal in New Zealand. Of a wonderful iron constitution, he can endure privations such m most men would sink under; and this was tho fault, if such it can be called, that his men complained of—that he expected them to do the same. When asked by tho former Government during the la3t war to take command of the colonial forces, admitting at the same time they had no claim on his services, ho, before accepting it, referred tho offer to two or three old officers of Ker Majesty's service, who advised his taking it under certain conditions ; one of which was that he should have full powers to deal with tho canteens and camp-followers, as the force was in a most disorganised state, and required strict measures to bring it back again into discipline; Colonel McDonnell, like many others, being a good officer under a superior, but never possessed the decision and judgment necessary for a commanding officer. Colonel Whitmore is now, by his position, his' own dictator, and, should his services be again required; from my knowledge of his energy and daring, if the conduct of the operations be left to him, the Maori difficulty will soon be'a thing of the*

[■p;aßt, and the credit of the colony, so far 'from being injured, will rise higher than ever. —I am, &c, V* v - A CoMinfesioNED Offices.