FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15711, 11 September 1914, Page 9

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

governing the natives. AN INEFFECTIVE POLICY. (From the HERALD of September 12, 1864.) | There is this striking contrast between tbo British and the Colonial Governments in the matter of their differences on the subject of native affairs, that, whilst the former are practically Without a policy or any definite principles to guide them, the latter have propounded a straightforward, intelligible system of government, adapted to the peculiar circurn-st-ancoa of thft colony, both present and prospective—Downing Street officials, in all matters relative to the factious New Zealanders, from the first days of the colony, havo invariably shown themselves to bo men of on« idea. " Let the colonists have patience ,and let the Maoris have fresh gifts," was the stereotyped reply to every new representation of native outrage that reached them from this country; and when this excellent exhortation and most disinterested advice have been again administered for the nonce, and with the accustomed quotes of redtape embellishment becoming the occasion, Downing Street has apparently reached the utmost bounds of its administrative powers.