THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5680, 13 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

(FBB PEE 33 AGENCY.) Gisbokne, Thursday. No native meeting has yet been held by the Ngatiporou or other tribes here to consider the question of going to Waimatc. Wi Pere convened a meeting of the Poverty Bay natives, but owing to the bad weather the meeting did not take place. The Europeans in this district state openly that the fighting strength of the Ngatiporou tribe, which has been put down at a thousand men, is altogether wrong, and that the Government are over-rating the assistance to be expected from this quarter. The Maoris here, while perfectly loyal to the Queen, show no desire to fight against their countrymen on the West Coast. Another thing is that the Ngatiporou tribe dread a raid being made upon their settlements by Te Kooti in the event of their going to Waimate. It is well known here that Te Kooti's new religion has for the past twelve months gained a large number of converts hereabouts. There is no occasion for alarm here, but the Government need not expect over three hundred natives, unless on the moot extravagant terms, such as a high rate of pay, a grant of laud, and the best needle guns. Pates, Thursday. The number of Volunteers sworn-in at Carlyle up to yesterday was 134, which, with 70 cavalry men, make a total of over 200. The settlers at Kakarameaand Manutahi, and other places are also organising for mutual protection, The Volunteering spirit is now thoroughly aroused, and arming and drilling are being rapidly proceeded with. There is a stern determination among the settlers to defend themselves and their homes. It is felt that, as all this anxiety and expense have been occasioned through the aggressive acts instigated by Te Whiti, advantage should be taken by the Government of the Volunteer movement t» finally settle the native difficulty on this coast, as if the Government give way to the now frightened natives, and the Volunteering spirit is allowed to die out, there will be great difficulty in reviving it. The feeling is that Hiroki should he demanded and obtained, or failing that, that Te Whiti, who has been the cause of the trouble, ■ should be secured, and the Parihaka den of murderers and discontents scattered. There is no necessity for hurried action, but the Government should let it be unmistakably known that it is prepared to carry out-jts alleged intentions. If Volunteers are wanted for this purpose, numbers will be forthcoming, as it is strongly felt that there can be no material guarantee for the peace of this coast until Parihaka is rooted out and the plains occupied. The principle that the land should pay the cost should be strictly enforced. The suspension of farming operations, consequent on the present state of insecurity, has already thrown numbers of working men out of employment, and the loss to settlers, with no crops to reap at harvest, will be very great.