MR. McBETH AND THE KINGITES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6937, 11 February 1884, Page 6

MR. McBETH AND THE KINGITES.

TO TH3 EDITOR. ■ Sir, —A large portion of the New Zealand Press still continues to charge me with opposing the settlement of the native question, and I notice that you have .lately published a telegraphed quotation from the Otago Daily Time's reiterating the same charge. I have already stated that I believe myself to be acting in the interests of both races, but as this appears to be still imperfectly understood,- I will again, if yon will allow me, make use of vonr journal to put the matter in the light in which I view it, and the light in which I hope it will be eventually viewecl by the European people of New Zealand. The admitted object of the New Zealand Government its to . obtain the opening of 'native lands and the consent of the Maoris ;to the Auckland-Wellington railway. And ,to; this .end armed ■. forces :of r constabulary are maintained; all,,.over the: North/ Island at an enormous : cost, Wahanni and. a?: few' other Maoris,... most .of:. whom are not important; . are'.-induced to sign an application for the survey of the King Country , iby, misrepresentation and by annual ;i payments to individual?, and an... attempt is made to intimidate ftewi, whose name has apparently been, attached .to an application without bis knowledge,: by withdrawing his" pension. - The result of this policy is that: the .'natives are everywhere opposing.' the Government; Trig stations.are destroyed at Waikato; shots fared over the heads of surveyors on the and l Tawhiao has to exert his authority to prevent bloodshed at Kawhia, etc; It is true that we hear a good l deal, about: progress that'has been-made by the IN ati.ve. Minister, but who, can point out any advance that has been, made other than that represented >by the application signed, by a few members of a ■single tribe and repudiated by its cnief ? On. the other hand; the Maoris offer to grant the , Government all that it asks in return for local government and control of their own lands. And the question 1 would ask is,, shall we continue in this dishonourable-policy,-ofbribery and intimidation, or by accept.ng; the reasonable terms offered .by the Maoris obtain all that we dcsiro. without cost,?:; Some of the papers, I am glad to notice, begin to see the reasonableness of the olfer ,of the. Maoris,, and. :the Lyttelton Times ,of , February 2nd, after advising the Native. Minister to make up his mind to believe that my statement of the position,,is the correct one, goes on to say ■>—" He" (the, Native;, Minister) "knows how his surveyors have been treated;, and...hefknows :what the real, character of-the natives, are. The'tribes are:. Btanding together,- and may be conciliated: once and for ever. That, is the summary, of the position." I hope that the' above .will; have r-he effect of. correcting: ths. idea that I am acting entirely in,.the interests of one people, and against those of the other ■; for the interests of both are one and the same.— I am. Sc., J. R. Moßeth. Auckland.