CONDITION OF THE NATIVES IS THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 217, 30 August 1862, Page 4

CONDITION OF THE NATIVES IS THE NORTH ISLAND.

Fovhth Article. Mr. Drmnmond Hay, in his report of the Ihinies District, takes a rather more favorable view of affairs then Mr. Turton, but he agrees with him in regard to the King movement, and the dissatisfied state of the Native mind. He considers that, with a few exceptions, the tnhes on the Thames are well affected towards the Government, but have a great want of confidence iv it and in European* generally. This suspicion, Mr. Hay considers, is attributable to the impression that the Europeans seek to establish their prosperity on the downfall or extinction of the Native race. The influence «f the AVaikatos extends over the tribes in this district, and Mr. Hay is of opinion that in case of an attnek upon Waikato, they would join the insurgents. They are also adherents to the King movement.

1-•.lowing Mr. Hay's report is one from Mr. James Preece, a gentleman, who premises nw report by stating that his notes and sugge tons "are grounded on observations made by me during my residence of thirty-two years. From my acquaintance with Native aflaire m general, 1 am convinced that a thorough change must take place before peace cau be established." Mr. Preece makes s very sweeping charge against the Natives south of Auckland. He say?, "In fact lam convinced that the whole ofthe Native population, south of Auckland, may be said to be in such an excited condition at this critical period, that should hostilities be renewed {.here »^ but little hope that any will reniaio*

JSfr. Preece proceeds to give the reasons why the Government has lost the confidence of the Natives.

But to be able to have a clear view, and thoroughly comprehend the reasons why the Government has lost the confidence of the Natives, it will be needful to hear their ow, statement on that subject: tfhieh I will en ieavour to give in a condensed form, in the hope that it may give some Ifeht ou the subject. Iheysav that at the time when the sovereignty of these islands was ceded to the British Crown several white men, ami amongst them some Americans, who srave all the opposition they could to the treaty being signed, endeavoured to poison the minds of the Natives against the Government, in which they were but too sutfasstul. They told them that the EnalMi Government would constantly oppress and ill-treat em and m the cud make slaves of them and tak. their land; and that a* lontj as the British ih- remained m these islands their mana was "gone"! Whenever anything Mok place in which the Native thought themselves to be a^rieved, these men woufd SS ™.ret^"4 say "There, thnt is the causa \vl IT tr:^ llle > and saiJ that America would Th^ a aJvice helPea to brin R °n the Bay war tteHnl ft f rr^ mOre I^° "O'thing else to foster a eelmg of dislike m the Native mind against tha (government, and make them construe every real o imaginary neglect into a desire on tne plrtof the

It would appear that in regard to the cause* which led to the formation ol the Land Leasue amongst the Natives, European influence >»ad something to do with it. Whether the <tateraenta of the Natives are to be relied on or not, it is certain that more than grave suspicion attached at one time to certain persons Jn a high position, who perhaps, taking a mistaken view of the relations between the Maories and tha