The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5678, 11 June 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1879.

In another column will be Sound a copy of a telegraphic correspondence which passed between Sir Geor<3.e Guey and Mr. Kelly, the member for New Plymouth, at the close of last month, and which was published in the “ Taranaki Herald ” on the sth June. The correspondence is interesting, in that it shows th.e position originally taken up by the Government when they first received the n ews that

the natives had entered upon Mr. Courtney’s land. Sir George Grey on the 26th telegraphed to Mr. Kelly:—“I have “ telegraphed to the owner of the land “ now being ploughed up by the natives, “ to aay that the Government will bring “ the usual civil action for trespass on “ his behalf, and bear him harmless of “ all costs. He has most wisely placed “ himself in the hands of the Govern- “ ment. Yon will, I know, feel with me “ that too much prudence and oircum- “ spection cannot be exhibited in this “ matter. We are in such a position of “ strength that if the necessity arises the “ whole case can be firmly and conolu- “ sively dealt with.” And on the following day the Premier promised by wire, that both he and the Governor would if possible make a point of visiting the district. This answer was naturally altogether insufficient and unsatisfactory to settlers whoso homes were being invaded, and who were momentarily expecting that a horde of blood-thirsty natives would invade the settlement. Consequently on the 28th, Mr. Kelly again despatched a message to the Premier, with which wo believe almost every settler in New Zealand will sympathise, and the contents of which in our opinion were amply justified by the fads of the case. Briefly stated, Mr. Kelly replied,—first that there was no appearance of sufficient force in the district either to allay the uneasiness or to impress the natives ; secondly, that a strong reinforcement would do more to make the natives act as peaceable subjects than any civil action at law ; and lastly that a civil suit was, in the opinion of settlers, “ not “ a right and proper procedure for a “ Government to take when dealing with “ quasi rebel natives, who by force dis- “ possess peaceable subjects of land held “ underCrowngrant.” No written response was given to this telegram, as by some misunderstanding at the telegraph office, it was never sent to the Premier. The next important step was the adoption of this final resolution by the justices on the following Saturday, and on the Monday this letter, with an unimportant alteration, was brought before the Premier as a resolution of the justices of the peace, by an influential deputation which waited upon him. Want of space alone precludes us from extracting the report of the proceedings in full from the “ Taranaki Herald ” of the sth. Sir G. Grey’s utterances are most curious, and present a remarkable instance of the proverbial impossibility of eliciting a plain answer to a direct question from his lips. After the deputation had been introduced and the resolution had been read the Mayor stated that the residents in the district thought that they ought to be provided with arms. The Premier replied that the Defence Minister had arranged that volunteers might enrol themselves. Major Atkinson replied that many were prepared to do so, but wanted to know under what conditions of service. The Premier said yn effect, —That is a very difficult matter, the Government want time to consider it. The Mayor then proceeded to state that all the out-settlers were afraid of being murdered, and hoped the Government “ would take steps to prevent any slaughter.” The Premier thought it “ a pity that the settlers had not put this in writing.” Major Atkinson asked : ‘‘ Do you doubt the cause ?” The Premier replied : *‘l do not doubt it “in my own mind.” After some further fencing the Premier said “ I do not doubt “my duty at all, or the facts. They “should be explicitly stated, and we “ should have some testimony.” The deputationists then offered to call a public meeting at once. Sir G. Grey thought that it was matter rather for the conservators of the peace to undertake. It was customary in England for justices to send such notices to the Home Secretary. The justices should make a presentation. He believed “ the “ Government were aware of the distur- “ bances, but they' wanted something to “go upon.” The Premier next proceeded to explain his object in coming to Taranaki. He said:—“ I came to consult “ with the leading men of the country “ to understand what can be done for “ your permanent welfare, and not to “ take any instantaneous action with re- “ gard to any ploughing that may be going “ on.” After some further unsatisfactory talk, the Premier promised to send arms. He would accept the services of Volunteers to defend their homes. The report concludes as follows ; ;

Major Atkinson said the deputation wished particularly to know what the- present Ministry would do? When could he give them a definite answer to that question ? The {Premier would have to see his colleagues, and it would take some days to do that. Things would be done as rapidly as possible. Major Atkinson : The impression we received on Saturday was that yon woqld give some assurance before .you left. Are we to have no declaration of what steps the Government intend to take ? The Premier : I cannot attempt to answer so speedily. .. I cannot make a general statement, and hot go into details. I think I have given every assurance X can, and I say unhesitatingly that if our acts meet with dissatisfaction it is unjustifiable. lam perfectly certain there will not be disapproval long, but it is better that there should be some than that I should take a wrong step. The question was put to me would I promise that a force should be sent here. X answer that such a force as the Government think necessary to provide they will provide. Mr. Carrington thought an assurance of that kind was satisfactory. They must give some credit to the head of the Government.

Mr. Courtney could say unhesitatingly that on Saturday the deputation left with the assurance or impression that the Premier would make them a definite promise that day (Monday). For the Government now to say that it would take some days to consider, was not what the settlers wanted. They could not stand this suspense, and would have to take it into their own hands, if the Government did not interfere. The Premier : So that there can be no misunderstanding on the subject, I may state that I will not be bullied. I have had threatening telegrams sent me—telegrams containing most improper things ; ani, while I am determined to do everything in my power for the settlement, I will do nothing wrong. However wrong the language used to me, it shall not prevent .me from doing right., I have spoken explicitly, and nothing will move ■ me from trying to do what is right, with caution and prudence. Mr. King; The future may take care of itself, but the present is imperative. The Premier ; We don’t neglect the present. There shall be no delay whatever in taking every step that is necessary for the security of the settlement. The deputation returned thanks and withdrew.

This closing outburst of injured innocence bn the part of the Premier would be amusing if it were not for the seriousness of the issues at stake. Sir G. Grey first refused to informtho settlers who proposed to take arms how long they would have to serve. He next wanted official

evidence of the danger of war. He then declared that he only came to consult, not to take any active measures for defence or even to resolve upon any, and finally he absolutely declined to say whether the Government would send one man, one hundred, or a thousand men to protect the settlers, whose lives and property were well known to be in imminent danger. Since this meeting took place there has been much done towards fortifying the district, and pending some preparation for war we have refrained from criticism. In the face of a national danger, we were silent in order to avoid embarrassing the Government. Now that the most immediate danger has passed away, it may be worth while to review the action of the Government.

Under a very severe pressure of public opinion, the most crying wants of the settlers have been attended to. With how much unwillingness let the above extracts from the reports of the deputation testify. The folly of supposing that a civil actien for trespass would meet the case could hardly be better illustrated than by a telegram from Taranaki in our yesterday’s issue which stated that the Maoris had seized the hay on Mr. Courtney’s farm. Whatever may bo the outcome of these disturbances, settlers will have but little cause to bo grateful to the Government for the spirit which has been displayed towards them in this matter. At the last moment the required measures of defence have been grudgingly accorded to the district, simply, we believe, because the Ministry found that public opinion in the district was growing too strong for them to control. The settlers deserve great credit for the way in which they have behaved. They have been firm and temperate, willing to help themselves and to tender valuable advice to the Government at a serious crisis, and have throughout preserved a modest and respectful tone. The treatment they received was in our opinion discourteous, uncordial, and thoroughly unsatisfactory, because of the want of confidence betrayed by the Premier, who deliberately withheld all information from the anxious settlers. They have been snubbed to the full extent of Sir George Grey’s wellknown powers in that line. They will, we are sure, appreciate the compliment, and remember their reception. It is doubtless very impolitic now-a-days to include a leading member of the Opposition in the ranks of a deputation to the great Pro-consul.