THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22741, 29 November 1935, Page 3

THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1864.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

If the (Sovernor's notorious proclamation was the last card his Excellency had to play, nothing is more certain than that it will prove ineffectual towards winning the game. . . . With a few exceptions utterly unworthy of notice, and of no value as indications of native feeling, the proclamation has everywhere been treated with contempt. We must look beyond the Proclamation itself for the reasons of its non-success. The terms are liberal to a fault, aud are far removed from the conditions demanded by wie Ministry. Between the Governor's proposals and the policy of the Ministry the difference is immensely in favor of the Natives, and yet in spite of this they will not listen to them. The plain fact is Sir George Grey has thoroughly lost the confidence of the Natives. They do not believe him —they neither credit his promises nor respect his policy. The Maori has sufficient strength of character to be able to respect it in others. He can hate and yet respect the same individual. But he has a supreme contempt for weakness and inconsistency, and never forgets broken promises. Sir George Grey, with all his knowledge of the Native character, has succeeded only in securing the suspicion and contempt of the race. . . . . . . New Zealand can no more than Great Britain afford to go* to war for an idea, and we maintain that all the Assembly is called upon to do is to exact such conditions from the Natives as will afford reasonable security to the Colony. It must insist on roads, if it give up every acre of conquered territory not required for them. Railways, it is said, have finally conquered India; and roads, with their contingent advantages, will do the same for this Colony.

The " Southern Cross * states that William Thompson, the rebel chief, has embraced the superstitious creed of the "Pai Marire" fanatics. If this statement is correct, it would prove that this superstition is making great progress amongst the natives, for William Thompson has all along been a great pet of the missionaries and regarded as one of the most intelligent converts to Christianity. To-morrow, being St. Andrew's Day, the banks and the solicitors' offices will be closed. The Vauxhall, proprietary announces various attractions at the Gardens, including a resumption of the recent Tilting Match, admission being free.