The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1884. THE MAORI TROUBLE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 64, 12 February 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1884. THE MAORI TROUBLE.

Maori affairs—in keeping with political matters—assume very different phases i at one time all seems bright and prosperous, and just as the advocates of the peace policy are congratulating themselves that everything is going on smoothly a breeze springs up, when all their treasured hopes are, as it were, scattered to the winds. The success attendant on Mr. Bryce’s management of Native affairs was for a long time a subject for much congratulation, and there is no doubt that had it not been for the interference of unscrupulous Pakehas — those disgraces to humanity who stir up strife to accomplish, if possible, their own selfish ends—the Native difficulties would very soon have been settled satisfactorily. The fact, however remains that trouble has again been brewing, and, although there is no probability of a disastrous Maori war breaking out, some care will have to be observed in the management of Native affairs. It will not be contended, we think, that Mr. Bryce has any desire to impose even on the “ Ringites” who have given so much trouble, and. we deem it a pity that he should have adopted a rather effeminate part in stopping the small “ pension” granted some time since to Rewi by the Government. Indeed, we cannot but think that the Native Minister has acted prematurely and illegally in this matter — that he should have left the question for the consideration of the House, and, no doubt, the Opposition will not permit that action of his—which easts a blot on his otherwise brilliant proceedings— to pass unnoticed. The brave old fighting chief Rewi has repeatedly been wrongfully designated as an “ untutored savage,” and of late described by some journals as “ being in his dotagebut those charges have been made by members of the Fourth Estate who know not the character of the man, and would, probably, think differently were they for a time in his company. Rewi—actuated by a feeling that all men should have fortheir native country—only wishes to secure the land of hie people against the grasping inclinations of the Pakeha, and we have his assurance—which is, we take it, far more reliable than the oaths of some white hangers-on to pahs—that he has no objection to the opening up of the country by means of railways There is no questioning the fact that Rewi, as well as other powerful and intelligent Native chiefs, have been brought in contact with "bright specimens of manhood in the form of Pakeha-Maoris, and the confidence they placed in the word and honor of the Britisher has been somewhat dispelled by the cheating, loafing, and lying propensities of the European serpents that drag out a degraded existence in the Maori pahs. But there is a class, of superior mould to the pah loafer, that does greater injury, and that is the set that such men as Mcßeth represents. He, it appears, has gained some influence over the Ringites ; but it may be only of a temporary character. The Maori chiefs have certainly a perfect right to contend, lawfully, for the protection of their landed interests, and they only display their manhood, intelligence, and patriotic feeling by callingin question any act of the Government that may appear to them to be of a suspicious character. By the Treaty of Waitangi, which was an agreement entered into between Governor Hobson and over 500 of the principal chiefs in the northern part of the North Island, the British Government obtained a protectorate over that part of New Zealand, which was afterwards extended to the whole of the Colony, and, in order to show the terms on which the arrangement was made we give the following “ Treaty ” in full

HN«I,ISH VERSION, Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, re, garding with her royal favor the Native chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and anxious to protect their just rights and property, and to secure to them the enjoyment of peace and good order, has deemed it necessary, in consequence of the great number of Her Majesty’s subjects who have already settled in New Zealand, and the rapid extension of emigration both from Europe and Australia which is still in progress, to constitute and appoint a functionary properly authorised to treat with the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty’s sovereign authority over the whole or any part of those islands. Her Majesty, therefore, being desirous to establish a settled form of civil government, with a view to avert the evil consequences which must result from the absence of the necessary laws and institutions alike to the Native population and to her subjects, has been graciously pleased to empower and authorise me, William Hobson, a Captain in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, Consol, and Lieutenant=Governor of such parts of New Zealand as may be, or hereafter shall be, ceded to Her Majesty, to invite the confederated and independent chiefs of New Zealand to concur in the following articles and conditions Article the First,— The chiefs of the confederation of the united tribes of New Zealand, and the separate and independent chiefs who have not become members of the confederation, cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England, absolutely and without reservation, all the rights and powers of sovereignty which the said confederation or individual chiefs, respectively, exercise or possess, or may be supposed to exercise or possess, over their respective territories, as the sole sove> reigns thereof. Article the Second, — Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession ; but the chiefs of the united tribes and the individual chiefs yield to Her Majesty the exclusive right of pre-emption over such lands as the proprietors thereof may be disposed to alienate, at such prices as may be agreed upon between the respective proprietors and persons appointed by Her Majesty to treat with them in that behalf.

Article the Thirds—ln consideration thereof, Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to the Natives of New Zealand her royal protection, and imparts to them all the rights and privileges of British subjects,—W. Hobson, Lieutenant-Governor. Done at Waitangi this sth day of February, in the year of Our Lord 1840. Now, it will be seen by the foregoing that an anxiety to “ protect the .Natives’ just rights and property, and to secure to them the enjoyment ot peace and good order,” was distinctly expressed, and further, that “ Her Majesty confirms and guarantees to the chief's and tribes of New Zealand, and to the respective families and individuals thereof, the full, exclusive, and undisturbed possession of their lands and estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess, so long as it is their wish and desire to retain the same in their possession.” Then a provision is made for tbo alienation of Native lands —“ at such prices as maybe agreed upon between the respective proprietors and the persons appointed by Her Majesty to treat with them in that behalf.” Of course it is highly necessary that the country should be opened up, and Rewi and other influential chiefs fully comprehend the advantages to be gained by the adoption of that course ; but, stimulated, no doubt, as we previously remarked, by Pakeha-Maoris of the lowest type, they are inclined to believe that the main object of the Government is to take from them their laud, without giving any consideration for it. Would it not be wise, then, for the Government to continue the adoption of conciliatory measures—to let the Natives understand that their just rights will be legally protected ? We should think that the most consistent arrangement to enter into Would be for the Government to adopt a sort of protectorate over Native lands—to make provision for the leasing of certain portions of Maori property, after setting aside sufficient for the use of the rightful owners, and securing a strict payment of rent for the runs, or agricultural and pastoral sections, as the case may be. It must be very evident to persons conversant with Maori customs that if all the Maori lands—or even a large portion of them—-were alienated, the purchasemoney would be soon squandered by many improvident Natives, the result being the springing up of a host of dependents on thrifty members of tribes, as well as burthens on the country. We hope that the future policy of the Government in its en deavorsto open up the country will be the adoption of conciliatory measures—so far as is consistent with law and order, and that Rewi and other intelligent chiefs will unite in seeking to secure a fair settlement of the long-contested land question.