THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 386, 5 July 1879, Page 23

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. SIK, —Writing just three weeks ago I expressed au opinion that “ decided actiou,” in the shape of au immediate display of force, should take the place of “ undecided talk” in reference to the native difficulty on the Waimate Plains. At that time I believe such views were considered rash and dangerous. I think, however, that events have since proved that, as is often the case in actual warfare and in the state of things immediately preceding it, boldness is the truest prudence. I feel convinced that had the Government armed and organised the settlers, and placed a force iu the disturbed district at once, the natives would not have resorted to acts of aggression which have tried the patience of the settlers almost beyond endurance. It is to the admirable courage and wise forbearance of the settlers themselves, and not to the Government, that the thanks of the country will be due if war is averted. They threw away the most splendid opportunity that ever presented itself for settling the native questiou for ever when they paltered with Te Whiti about the surrender of the murderer Hiroki. Men with the hearts of Englishmen and the brains of statesmen would have tried the question of peace oxwar upon such an issue as this, instead of waiting till Te Whiti could base his cause upon one involving considerations affecting land, on which he could count upon the sympathy of his race, and might hope for some division of opinion among ourselves. As it is, a Government which seems to recognise its own inability to govern, has waited for its initiative from the settlers of Taranaki, and now, when at last u. has begun tardily and imperfectly to do its duty, arming the settlers with imperfect weapons, and perhaps sending them up some of that antiquated ammunition which it bought at double the market pi-ice to oblige an Auckland friend—such tension exists that at any moment the bonds of peace may snap asunder. Contrary to the unanimous opinion of Maori experts, I do not even now consider war inevitable, but the mei'est accident may cause it, and the chances of such au accident occurring are greatly increased by the determination shown by Sir George Grey to pose as the “blameless knight” of New Zealand history. It would be amusing, were the situation not so serious, to imagine that astute old gentleman calmly reading the telegram of the Hawera settlers “offering the ultimatum of the Government or us taking action,” and carefully refraining from giving any advice till action had been taken, and then “ wiring to Major Brown advising the very course which had been previously adopted.” This beautiful coincidence as charmed the settlers that in the innocence of their hearts they “ forwarded him a vote of thanks, and asked for immediate reinforcements and Sniders.” I quote from the telegrams published in the Wanganui Herald, and if I do Sir George Grey an injustice, I can only regret that dates, his own character, and his telegram to Major Brown warrant the inference. I am not sure that the vote of thanks was altogether due to bucolic simplicity, for to a charge of “ greenness” made by a friend of mine, one of the settlei’s remarked that “they thought if they did not flatter Sir George he might prevent their getting arms.” Butter is one of the products of the country, and the transaction may have been purely commercial. In these times, however, to have a Premier with an unlimited capacity for “ butter,” is a soui’ce of more serious political danger than appears at first sight. The egotism which induces a man to do anything to gain the applause of the mob is also apt to assume the form of that moral cowardice which, fears censure above all things. To act from a high sense of duty, to feel that power and responsibility go together, is impossible to a man with whom personal power and personal reputation hold the first place. To such a man it seems the height of wisdom to make himself safe, and so to act as to gain credit for the success caused by the efforts of others, and avoid the discredit of failure. Hence the “ sweetness and light” of Sir George Grey’s telegram. Cut up into sentences it would make an admirable series of texts for copy-books in our State schools. Moral, mild, and meaningless it must have been singularly ii-ritating. to its recipient. It will save the Premier some trouble if on the next occasion on which his advice is asked for iu similar circumstances, he will content himself with copying that given by one Dogberry to the watch :—This is your charge ; you shall comprehend all vagrom men ; you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince’s name.

Sec. Watch : How if a will not stand ? Dogberry : Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go ; and presently call the rest of the watch together and thank Heaven you are rid of a knave. If we cannot have sense, let us at least have. Shakspere, and let the Colonial Treasurer balance bis accounts out of the proceeds of the unsold Waimate Plains, and out of the undeserved decrement of the West Coast lands.— I am, &c., Economist. Wanganui, June 20. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —If the floor of a powder-mill were strewn with matches, one might walk through it without causing an explosion ; but it would be more prudent to sweep up the matches first. Now in the anal ago us case of the native difficulty in Taranaki this is just what the present Government will not do. They go shuffling about in the list slippers of diplomacy and hope that no accident will happen ; but for all Ministers care the matches may remain where they are, or at best be picked up by any

hobnailed farmer who pleases. It is quite possible that the manager of the radii, Te Whiti, anrl all his men, are anxious that no explosion should occur, at auy rate till they are safely oft" the premises, still accidents will happen even in better regulated families than that of the Maori prophet. In plain English, the conduct of the Government in leaving so much to chance is a gross neglect of duty. They ought not to leave ordinary settlers te perforin one of the primary functions of Government, the maintenance of law and order, but should perform it themselves. If the natives ai-e legally justified in ploughing up people’s lawns and paddocks, let this be proclaimed as the last new development of colonial liberalism iu search of the “ unearned increment,” if not let the law be enforced by the proper authorities ; and if fighting there must be, let us fight for such a simple and primitive right as this, namely, that the man who has grassed his own land has a right to the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of his own labors. That is really a. more important matter to the people of this couutry thau it is that Sir George Grey should be able to say that the peace which he had “at last” restored had lasted his time, and that even if he bad laid: the ti-ain his successor had fired It. That liis successor will eooix take bis place is every day more certain. Indeed, the only chance the pi*eseut Ministry lias of continuing in office is, that they have got the colony into such a slough of despond that it will be difficult to induce any set cf men to undertake the task of dragging it out. At the same time, if a capable Ministry can be induced to take the place ot the present set- cf imbeciles—uow that Mr. Stout has resigned the expression is not too strong, judging them by their acts—the Opposition, must remember when the House meets, that the lowest organisations are often the most tenacious of life. In the animal world this tenacity depends mainly upon the power of adaptation, aud in this power the present Ministry cannot be surpassed. Mr. Ballauce seems to think, as 1 gather from articles in his own paper, and other sources, that the political environment already renders it expedient to eonskter Sir George Grey an useless organ, and Air. Sheehan an offensive one. and so in the pursuit of his great principle, the “ survival or the fittest,” and iu his own opinion he himself is always the fittest, he may cast botli off. Healso holies that in this same environment a graduated land tax will flourish like a greer. bay tree. According to his own paper, and his own article I fancy, this great principle is tc» unite the “ Liberal party” into a band of brothei-s or robbers, I forget which, and to Air. Ballauce it is all one so long as union is secured. As Colonial Treasurer, Air. Ballauce might, one would think, jump at an income tax ; but as a man, perhaps he had rather not. As it is, poor Mr. Ballauce will meet the House much in the condition of au unfortunate school boy unable to do his sum. It won't add upright, and two and three will insist upon being five and not seven. It is unfortunate, but then, a Treasurer who throws away a huudreii thousand of Customs duty, aud destroys the land revenue iu order to get at large land owners, and hopes to put all straight by a sole of confiscated lands, cannot expect to eat his cake and have it. —I am ; &c., , Economist. Wanganui, Ju.Q\27.