The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1879.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 667, 3 April 1879, Page 2

The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1879.

The Waimate difficulty has assumed a serious aspect. If the Government allows the matter to " slide," it will at once show its weakness in not being able to deal with the Maories, excepting only upon such terms as they may dictate. If Government resists their demands, this may — pro bably will mean bloodshed and slaughter on both sides. Of the twe evils it is hard to decide which is the least. If the Maories discover the; are to have their own way as respects the confiscated lands of the Waimate plains, then will the Natives of the Waikato country and parts of the North Island be likely to follow suit, and the whole Native difficulty will be resuscitated in all its formei hideousness. A slight advantage gained by the Maories, or concessions made by the Government, except upon very cogent grounds, will so inflate many of the Native tribes with theii own power, that there will be no present seeing when the end will be reached. Disaffection among the Natives is infectious, and what has been done by one tribe is speedily communicated to other tribes throughout the North Island. To temporise will be dangerous and impolitic in the highest degree. To resort to force oi arms will be what we must all shuddei to think of. So, then, we hold that it should not be within the power ol the Premier or Native Minister to decide within the walls of theii Cabinet, whether there shall be peace or war. It is a question which Bhould be decided by the country, through their representatives in Parliament assembled. It then becomes the duty of Ministers to call Parliament together and place all matters concerning Native and European interests fairly before the members. The question is so grave a one, and so fraught with responsibility, that no set of Ministers should come to a decision of themselves. While there are men going through the country, tampering with the native mind, and putting it off its balance, leading them to get back large areas which they have alienated, the danger to the country is intensified. In the midst of a general commercial depression, which is not likely to terminate in a day or week, a fresh Maori difficulty would be the means of throwing us back, possibly for years. We know the feeling of the Maori when the question of land is in dispute. In most other matters he is open to negotiation. He can, at least, be sugared and floured ; but no amount of one or the other will soothe or mollify him when confiscated territory is in dispute. There are but tw^ ways of deciding the dispute of the Waimate Plains. Either we must insist upon holding them ; or we must give them up. Now, this is not a thing to be left to a young Native Minister, or to a crotchety Premier, venerable by age, but one now so lacking in judgment, so infirm of temper, and so impossible of persuasion. It is necessary that Parliament should decide the question at issue. If there is to be fighting it should be effective ; short, and decisive, if possible. If it is to be peace, and we earnestly hope it will be so, then the best bargain must be made which the Maories ..will admit. The Waimate tribes have let the Native Minister

understand that they have learned fine words butter no parsnips, and that all the eloquent utterances of Sir George Grey or Mr. Sheehan carry no weight or influence with them, especially after the feeding and feasting have been disposed of.