The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1046, 10 March 1880, Page 2

The Poverty Bay Herald AND East Coast News Letter.

■ PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (TwBDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880. Xhßi Wanganui Chronicle takes a very \ sensible view in the matter concerning the dismissal from the Government . . .service of Major Kemp. Everyone, • ' W tKink, must regret that a man with his excellent antecedents should " ' flb suddenly have thought it right to .defy the law and to ignore the inf .structions of those in whose service [he was engaged. Major Kemp's >JX"ksgfi&jb eepbainly did not include that of making w,ar or threatening to make ,-* on, Europeans or Maoris. ' lfne ifftd been wronged, he should / bare, been satisfied by an appeal to 1 Ope or other Courts of the Colony, ,! Which, was accessible to him as to all , i , others ; and we have yet to learn that the Judges of the land cannot be trusted to administer justice in any '' ' cause which may be brought before them. Major Kemp's reputation for loyalty was at stake, and it was , ;-. thought a severe remonstrance might bring him to his senses, but the blood and traditions of his race were too , strong. for him. He had a quarrel, and could not brook interference, even from those to whom he owed allegiance. He therefore persisted in his turbulent conduct, 'perhaps under the impression fcbafc ihe Government would not, afte* all, proceed to extremities with a man of his importance, who bad in past times risked his life freely in maintaining the Queen's authority, He may pertiips have been to some extent ' ; inlluiSnced by the sinister counsels of ■ a disloyal clique, who care for Kemp aa lif4hv|ur for the dirt under their feet, but would be well pleased to ' £ive trouble to the Government, and especially to the Native Minister, j.;. By ; this time we fancy he rriuat be awakening to a bitter sense of his . : 4uty. He found that he had to deal with men of a very different stamp to Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan. iThere is no holding back, and no hesitation. The remonstrance was #nt, and oh proof that it was disregarded, the threat which accompanied it was put in force. Tho Ministry

advised his Excellency' 1 to. discontinue Kemp's pay, and di»paiss him from the service of th^ colony. The Governor acted on that advice, and the rebellious chief has lost the reward of his former services, is immeasurably lowered in the estimation of his countrymen, and stands in actual peril of a criminal prosecution. If we regret Kemp's conduct, our feelings are of a very different stamp when weighing the action of the Government. There cannot be the slightest doubt that the manner in in which they have dealt with Kemp will tell powerfully with a large section of the Maoris. The total absence of anything in the shape of fear, the fairness displayed in sending a remonstrance, and the prompt punishment when milder measures failed to have any effect, are precisely the points which are calculated to impress the Native mind. The longer the present men remain in office, the more clearly they prove themselves capable of governing. A few years of such rule, and we believe the spectre of Maori rebellion would be effectually laid. It is not very easy to say what will be the next phase of |the Murimotu disturbance. Ths Government have striven, and hitherto successfully, to prevent an actual collision between the hostile tribes, and we incline to the opinion that this blow which has lighted on Kemp will have a wider effect than may be at first sight visible. We shall not be in the least surprised to learn that some amicable arrangement has been come to; but, if this is not to be, and the peace of the country is disturbed by actual conflict, we are satisfied that these masterful Natives will live to rue the day that they bid defiance to the law. The Native Minister has given clear evidence that he is " strong " in the best sense of the word when applied to a public man, and we may rest assured that when the time comes he will make his strength felt in a very disagreeable manner by those who attempt to settle their little differences with the rifle and tomahawk.