CONDITION OF THE NATIVES IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 560, 23 August 1862, Page 3

CONDITION OF THE NATIVES IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

SEZOXI) ARTICLE. Iv our previous notice of Mr. Rogan's report, we omitted to mentio i his opinion as to the origin of the King Movement amongst the Natives. Mr. Ilogan's ideas upon this much debated subject, are as he confesses " peculiar.'' At any rate they may be considered as original, lor he differs materially in hi 3 estimate of the causes which led to the movement, from the many others who have attempted to elucidate them. Mr. Rogan says, he had heard that some years ago, Wi Tamehana visited Auckland for the purpose of presenting a complimentary letter to the Governor, when a European, a Government Officer, told him to go .hack and have a king of his own. Mr. Rogan's own idea is, that the change of Government in New Zealand seven or eight years ago together with the gold discoveries in Australia, had much to do with the revolution which took place in the minds of the Natives towards the Government and the settlers. He argues that the high price which the Natives were then obtaining for their produce, and the subsequent depreciation of its value, bred in the minds of the Natives a suspicion of unfair treatment ; in fact, they felt aggrieved at the sudden fall in prices, and not understanding the regulating laws of supply and demand, they looked upon it as a direct fraud on the part of the European traders, Mr. Rogan mentions a curious instance of the peculiar notions that had become instilled in the minds of the Natives at this time. He says that ou one occasion during the sittings of the General Assembly, the outside of the house was beseiged by crowds of Natives, listening and wondering what the white people inside could possibly be doing, and whether they were holding a secret meeting or runanga to kill the Maories ! He remarks that at this time the Maories first adopted the term "runanga," the term " komiti " having previously been used by them in respect to deliberative meetings. He further states that he is of opinion that the restrictions placed upon the sale of arms and ammunition had the effect of stimulating them to rebel against the Government. Mr. Rogan concludes his report by offering his opinion on the question of restoring permanent tranquility to the North Island. He says that the Waikato tribes quite expected an attack upon their territory because t.iey were determined not to accept the terms offered by the Government, and they would neither give up their King, nor restore the plunder obtained at Taranaki. Mr. Rogan does not think that military operations in the Waikato would he attended with success, owing to the great natural difficulties of the country and the facilities the Natives possess of evading pursuit. He describes the Waikato as being the centre of a circle, to which the many powerful tribes on everyhand could easily rally. With regard to the Ngatiruaaui tribe, who were the first to rise, Mr. Rogan emphatically says that "Sinless " something is done to humiliate these people, " Taranaki can never be a peaceful settle- " ment." He considers the chastisement of this tribe as a comparatively easy task, and clearly shows how easily offensive operations might be conducted against them. Mr. Rogan's concluding sentence is very important, and it is surprising how, with the knowledge the Government must have possessed at the time of the exact state of affairs, that the steps advocated by their officials were not taken. It is also worthy of remark, that the results which have actually followed the incomprehensible want of action on the part of the Government, are exactly inverse to the advantages Mr. Rogan considers would have followed the punishment of the Natives round Taranak\. We give Mr. Rogan's own words, "By following up the Ngatiruanui, who it is said intend taking possession of Tatariamaka this summer, it would have the advantage of drawing away from Waikato and other districts the wild spirits whcrwould probably never return, and after a successful campaign, those who would remain at home would readily fall into the views of the Government, when the New Zealand question wpuld be settled for ever." It is true this is but the opinion of a single individual, but it must be borne in mind that 1 Mr. Rogan was an officer high in the opinion of the Government, and a person of great ex- | perience among the Natives. In fact, his , being selected as an officer to furnish the [ reports required by the Government, shows i that his reports would be considered Reliable, s and of course his opinions could but be very I valuable. s Scarcely ever did military operations excite | so much comment and so great a diversity of [ opinion as did those at Taranaki. Hastily commenced, and inadequately provided, the , earlier part of the campaign was a series of I disasters, if not disgrace, to the British arms, and 3 when after a vast expenditure, and tne supply of j immense quantities of material, the tropes were • in the most efficient state for carrying on r offeneiye operations, the 'opportunity wjw

thrown away, and the patched up y ice was concluded — the peace which has more than anything else created in the minds of the Natives overweening ideas o(" their own strength and our weakness. From Mr. Ilogan's report there may be deduced : First, that all tribes on the west coast from Tarahaki to Mokau were more or less disaffected, many of them having actually taken part in the hostilities at Taranaki. Secondly, that the Chiefs favorably disposed to the Government, Nera, amongst the number, exercise so little restraining influence upon their followers, that in [the event of war they would all take up arms against the Queen. Thirdly, that the Waikatos themselves were determined to adhere to their king, and to refuse restitution of the Taranaki plunder, and prepared to abide by the issue; and fourthly, that the Kaipara Natives were strongly loyal. As evincing the loyal disposition of the latter natives, a report is given of a speech by achief of the Ngatiwhatua residing at Kiapara, delivered at the Native Conference at Kohimarama. "Mr. McLean, my Pakeha friends, and chiefs of this Conference ! The Bay ot Islands was the first land settled on by the Pakehas. This was the land first supplied with fire-arms and gunpowder. The Ngapuhi, that is to say, Ilongi Hika, then commenced his work of slaughter. He attacked Waikato, and mine was the last tribe slaughtered by them. The Pakeha had not then arrived here. Do not suppose the Pakeha3 crept in stealthily. No. Mr. White was the first Pakeha that attached himself to me; nfter him Captain Symonds arrived. We addressed him thus : " Will you not consent to become our friend?" lie "answered, " Yes !" After this, Governor Ilobson was driven out ef tbe Bay of Islands : I took hold of him and said, " Will you not become a father to us, that we may be your children ?" He then said " Yes 1" That Governor died ; after him, came Governor Fitzroy ; he went away; after him came Governor Grey; he also left again Then came this Governor, Governor lirowne. Now, chiefs of the runanga you will see that the Pakehas have become parents to me. lam a child of theirs. Witness the years that are past in wliich we have dwelt together. lam lik? a child who clings to its parent. lam a real child and these are my real parents. The Pakehas did not come here of their own accord, they were invited to come. Listen, all of you ! I shall not be separated from the bosom of my parent. My relations are gone to the grave* but they live again. These are they ; these are my sisters, these Pakeha ladies sitting here (pointing to the ladies visiting the Conference.) I have one word to say about Taranaki. Should a child cry or be troublesome, the parent's rod will be applied, and not till he has ceased his naughtiness will the punishment cease. My speech is ended." In our next article we sh-iil treat of the report of Mr. 11. Turton on the important districts of the Thames and the Bay of Plenty.