LOOMING TROUBLE IN THE NORTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 851, 21 March 1868, Page 1

LOOMING TROUBLE IN THE NORTH.

(From the Daitt Times, Mar^h 81.) Founded upon information that ha 3 already appeared in our columns detailing the uneasiness that is said to prevail amongst the Native tribes in the neighborhood of Opotiki, the Canterbury Presa has had an article on what is termed in that journal "The Coming War." Unpleasant as those rumors are, and even admitting that collisions may take place between the Natives and the Colonial forces, there is nothing in the intelligence to justify the idea that war on an extensive scale is to be apprehended at present Yet it cannot he said that our relations wi+h the Natives are satisfactory. Though defeated m the last war, their hostility subsided more through their own disinclination to carry it further, than from any decided reverses that rendered their re-

from the contest necessary;. Tliat wlrolesome lesson" that their white -neighbors. tfre more than their . xnat&h in the| 'fields has: therefore; yet to 3>e learnt by i.tne majority of ?fche 3*atives^-Itr seems to have suited rthe^purpose'of' the montfnVto tender -their allegiance to Her $$jeaty ; Jbut "the security for the maintenance; 6| jpeace involved in that act, is of .the slen-* vlerest kind. Even in the mind' of a European there are so many fcelSersratio'ns connected with the duty of sfilegiance, that it is looked upon as only at quasi crime to rise in rebellion against the constituted authorities ; and it would

1)6 stn insult to our civilisation to imagine -that the Maoris adopt a highsr moral standard,' in that respect, than ourselves. 2SV> one ought to count, therefore, upon "their maintaining peaceful relations for a longer period than suits their passions or their interest. When their passions are roused, or some imaginary interest suggests sufficient motive, a renewal of disturbances may be fairly calculated upon. But this is only part of the danger that threatens to disturb the peace of the Colony. It would be unfair to the Natives to maintain that all the incentives to war lie on their side. It is quite as likely that provocation may proceed from our own people as from them. It is not necessary even to assume that it may arise from one of those <collisions between the Colonists and the Natives, that are inevitable in their with each other. There is a class amongst us, and not a small one, "whose interest is war ; who see in it the •way to distinction, and to whom inaction is inglorious. So long as a Defence Force is retained, so long will the members of it look forward to opportunity to prove that they are not maintained for mere parade »nd show, but that they are a necessity to "the Colony. The officei'S seek that distinction which leads to promotion ; the ■men that which- leads to command. There is nothing strange in this. It is as necessary to an efficient force, J as the spirit i3 c to ~ the body. No army could ever be roused to the enthusiasm that makes each soldier a hero =were this esprit de corps wanting. But Trhile essential to success in war, this longing for action requires tempering with prudence in a Colony situated in relation to a Native race as New Zealand is. It has long been pointed out by the ■most far-seeing statesmen that the standing armies of Europe are standing provocatives to war. Our little Colonial force, located where there is no European Settler, is in like manner a standing menace to the Natives. But this is not all. It is at the outposts that the utmost caution, conciliation, and good-will should "be exhibited. With the tirmness and decision of the soldier, there should be waited the calmness of judgment and selfcommand of the conservator of pease. Bat unfortunately, it is just at those very outposts where the partial disturbances «re occurring. ThSy are too far from the centre of Government to be under the immediate control of the Civil power, and !>&ing p\irely military stations, any little ■disturbance is treated at once in military fashion. So far as the reports to hand are concerned, the most alarmIng portion of them is the instruction to Major Yon Tempsky to raise " two ad- ** ditional Companies of the Constabulary '* Force, for service chiefly on the E.ist w Coa3t." This may be only a precautionary measure ; but it is one that does not argue well for the continuance peace. There is, as yet, no reason to apprehend war on an extensive .scale, but it cannot be concealed that this 'would be the necessary result of any re--rerses the Colonial forces might meet vith. Unvarying victory can scarcely t c -even hoped for, but a single defeat would 3>e equivalent to an extension of war. Thus far, we have looked upon the disturbances in the North as they affect the North Island. There is yet another -question to be considered, and that is — Who will have to pay the cost of suppressing them ? It is plain that they are liable to renewal, on the one side or the other, and especially since the General Assembly have steadily refused to localise the cost of repression. The revenue returns, and all the accounts we have of the financial condition of the North Island, suggest that the inhabitants cannot pay for their own defence, and it is plain it must <;ome upon the Middle Island. Again may the populations of Canterbury, Westland, and Ofcago be called xipon to pay for the defence of the Northern ■settlers, and thi3 time without the •plea that it is through the decision of the Representatives of the Southern Provinces that hostilities are "recommenced. That plea disposed of, the questions of finance and government that have been allowed to slumber will -once more come to the surface, and, denuded of all those considerations of policy with which they have hitherto Jbeen commingled, they will stand a chance of being discussed on their merits, and pushed to a solution.