OPINIONS OP THE PRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6149, 24 October 1881, Page 2

OPINIONS OP THE PRESS.

The recent action of tho Government respecting the turbulent Natives on the West Coast of tho North Island has been favourably commented upon in a very large majority of tho papers throughout tho Colony. The New Zealand Herald (Auckland) in a leading article on tho question, expresses tho iy opinion that the Government aro in the prem senco of the general question of vindicating the c, law, and of the special one with respect to the ln rights of the settlers. It says: —"It matters m not what may bo Te Whiti's intentions, or n- how pacific they may be. Ho is a living threat and nuisance, and it is lawful and just ; c to suppress him. It is necessary, if the power rcl of tho Europeans is not to become an object of , r derision to tho Maoris, and the laws which they impose for tho public good. Forbearance has gone the length almost of pusillanimity, and so far from being productive of any good, , has only increased the audacity of the Maori prophet, and his influence with his followers. Sooner or later tho difficulty must be faced, and the position of tho settlers renders it imperative that it bo faced now. Action is ■'c the only solution of tho dilemma, and it may le mean many evils, but those evils will be no 01 worse to-day than they would be to-morrow. '" Nothing therefore is to bo gained by delay. ! y So far, tho Government appears to have 10 acted witli commendable discretion. ..It does not seem to have been instigated by alarm, but e> to have been impelled by a set purpose, and ;1> it has done the Colony inestimable service." s Tho Western Star expresses the very common feeling of satisfaction at the action of the a Government, and says : " The notion that the >S cunning impostor, Te Whiti, is really, after 11 all, in favour of peace, and in fact is our best n friend on the AVeat Coast, is arrant nonsense. Why, everything was peacefully quiet there, and had been for ■ years, until Te Whiti went into tho prophet business, and urged his countrymen to put fences on the roads .and to plough up tiie settlers' land. Very likely he does not want an open war with us "_ But his aim is obviously to keep his country. lr men just on the verge of a rebellion." c The North Otago Times of Saturday last y says:—" In the face of all tho facts the Go--11 vornmont's action is as justifiable as it is fair. c Everyone must hope that Te Whiti will submit z to the terms which ho has brought upon him. ° self, otherwise it will be worse for him and his '' people, and worse for the Colony. .... But for the duo consideration of this contingency, and tho suitable disposal of it should it ; r arise—which wo hope it never may—wo. must '• trust to the moderation and intelligence- of the 8 Govern.ln.cnt. This, in our opinion, tho country n may well do without many, if indeed with any, = misgivings."