Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5420, 10 August 1878, Page 2

A kew Jays since, in noticing the fact reported by our Thames contemporary that the Honorable Hoani Nahe, the Maori colleague of the Premier, was opposing the Government claim to Te Aroha Block then before the Native Lancia Court, we promised to reprint tho letter in which Mr. Nairn's defence was contained and which was ,not to be found, in our exchanges then to hand. We discovered the letter in question, under the signature of a native named Keihana Poto, in tho Thames lirentng Star of the nijt., and, notwithstanding it's length, have transferred it to our columns to-day, Mr. Naim’s parliamentary education is progressing ; with natural imitative aptitude ho adapts the Ministerial rule, that "other things bdug equal ws'U help uujr

friends,” to the local conditions of the Thames. If lie extend the rule occasionally so ns to smooth over an accidental inequality, such as that wtiioh is shown to exist in the Taranaki advertising contract, he can plead a high example and take his stand upon his merits as the saviour of the country. “ Who is it," asks Mr. Keihana “ that set up Sir George Grey as head of the Government ? And who was it that set up Mr. Sheehau as Native Minister 2 It was Hoani Nahe !” Let ut therefore be thankful and hope that he will not think it necessary at once to pull down that which lie has built up. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan, in his loyal defence of his colleague, is reported to have said :—” The fact was that in reference to the Aroha Block Mr. Nahe had given every assistance to the Government, and in consequence of his action the matter had been brought before the Native Lauds Court. Of 64,000 acres judgment in favor of the Government as to 55,000 acres had been given, J hnd the Government had large interests in the remainder. The charge that his colleague had opposed the Government was without foundation ; he had merely protected his own personal rights against the claims of other natives, and he (Mr. Sheehan) had yet to learn that a person joining the Government did so to the prejudice of his private estate.” Mr. Nahe, examined before the Court, admitted that he had no claim to the land at To Aroha and no “ personal rights ” in it. He was moved to obstruct the Government claim, as Mr. Reihana tells us, by the inscrutable “ workings of a chieftain’s heart, which are not generally understood by the masses of the people.” It is fortunate for the interests o£ the public that the Judges of the Native Lands Court are not subject to be moved by such impulses. The Government claim was sustained by the Native Lauds Court in opposition to Mr. Nahe, and an award of 7500 acres as a reserve, —subject to a debt to the Grown of £2OOO, money received by them from the Government agent, was made to the Naratirnhiri. Whilst we are grateful to Mr. Nahe for the present Government, it is impossible not to feel that lie has made a little blunder, and that neither Mr. Sheehau nor Mr. Keihana Poto has improved his position by their attempted defence.

In a recent issue we expressed a hope that the Government would not neglect the opportunity (to which their attention was called by the Hon. Mr. Fox) of securing, if possible, a visit from the Japanese Commissioners who are now in New South Wales with the object of opening up a trade in wool between the two countries, and we quoted from a private letter relative to the peculiar adaptability of New Zealand wool for manufacture into clothing suitable for the millions of China and Japan. Since then a communication has been received by the Chamber of Commerce from Mr. Monokton Synnot, of Melbourne, requesting, in the name of the Japanese Royal Commissioners, that samples of New Zealand wool may be sent to him to the extent of a few pounds weight, as it is considered that the coarser New Zealand wools are more suitable to Japanese requirements—viz., the manufacture of army clothing—than fine Australian merino wools. The Japanese Commissioners have chartered a vessel to take sheep and wool to Japan, having arranged through the Oriental Bank fur their purchase. Mr. Synnot suggests that this is a good opportunity for sending New Zealand woollen yarns to the commissioners, who promise to do everything possible to encourage the introduction of Australian and New Zealand wool amongst their countrymen. The own correspondent of the Press Agency at Hiojo Kobe, Japan, writes ; “The telegraph lines are being extended in all directions, and native traffic is considerable. Many stations are forwarding 400 to 500 native messages daily. The main lines consist of tour wires, 920 miles ; two wires, 700 miles ; branch lines, 2500 miles; and above 1200 miles are in course of construction.” It seems therefore that the old prejudice against innovations is rapidly dying out in Japan, and that the time is most favorable for Australia and New Zealand obtaining a new and almost unlimited market for their staple product. We trust the Government, will not lose sight of the matter, but that everything will be done to induce the Commissioners to visit the colony, and to afford them every facility whilst they are here ; and it other engagements prevent them coming to New Zealand, that at all events every care will be taken to place them in full possession of samples and all authentic information respecting our wool. If once a wool trade can be fairly established between these colonies and China and Japan, the great prosperity which has hitherto been attained here by wool-growing, in which all classes have more or less participated, would no doubt be greatly increased, and there appears absolutely no limit to its extension. The value and importance of the question indeed can hardly be over estimated.