THE NATIVE QUESTION.

Southland Times, Volume 3, Issue 102, 17 October 1863, Page 3

THE NATIVE QUESTION.

(From the DaVy fiimes, October 5.) The opinion is expressed by some oi the Colonial journals, tlrat the fii>t decisive blow inflicted by General Cameron on the Waika'os will be the signal for a reactionary movement by the clerical and philo-Maori parties in favor of the Native race. It seems to be doubled whether defeat will brin<j about the submission of the insurgent tribes, and it is considered that an effort will be made to accomplish a compromise by which the direful effects of coutinued war may be averted from the Xatives. Ir. is supposed that after the po.ver of the Government has made itself felt in one or two decisive actions, the willingness to make an arrangement will be free from the construction being placed on peaceful overtures which the Natives have ascribed to former truces. If something of the kind b ■ not done, we are told, the war will drag on to an indefinite period, and terminate only in the subjugation by force of ar.ns of every tribe in the island — the confiscation of every acre of Native land, and, in shorty the virtual blotting out of the aboriginal population. There is murh in these arguments which recoinmanis them to the humane instincts of the colonists, — and they will no doubt find exponents and adherents in England. (Similar principles have actuated the line of conduct which for many years characterised the administration of Native Government in New Zealand. Uare for the Natives, anxious protection of their real or supposed rights and privileges, and fear of outraging their prejudices and national ideas, have for many years formed the key to the policy of the Government. In the history of no previous colony where there was a large Native population, can be found in the policy of the dominant power so much considera tion for the aboriginal race, The most favorable opportunities have^ since the foundation of the colony, been afforded for the operations of Missionary entemrise. Possessing no serious preconceived religious prejudices— -no deep-rooted idolatry — the Maoris eagerly embraced the doctrines of Christianity, and nominally at least- the religion of the Missionaries has become the only creed of the whole Native population. What more could have been done to establish lasting peace and union between the two races ? And yet what is the position now ? We are not going to attempt to trace step by step the circumstances which have brought about the present struggle. It is easy to ascribe to one or two leading questions the direct cause of the existing troubles, but we must go further back for the real element of destruction. It is not this or that dispute which has destroyed the peaceful relations i)f the European and Native rpces, although they have perhaps given a form to the silent and unsuspected antagonism that has • for years been growiug in the Native mind. The fact is, the wfiole scheme of Native Government was from the first a mistake— -an experiment based upon the most hurrane and righteous principles, but nevertheless a mistake as applied to the peculiar circumstances <f the Maori people. Abstractedly no Government is so secure as that of a nation whose people obey its laws more from a feeling of inborn respect for them than from a fear of their penalties. But a people does not reach this position except through centuries of moral and political education. The natural essence of authority is power,— "be, it moral, intellectual or "physical. As applied to the English people, all these elements af power have for ages been working aut that respect for and obedience to ;he laws which has become an instinct with Englishmen. The laws erflbodj' ;he labors of the best and wisest of the nation, and the exigencies of time have jreated their own requirements. To apply to a race of savages the noral as separated from the physical ilement of authority was a noble experiment. But it was an experiment >f which we are now reaping the fruits Llapidly as the Maories seized the tenet. )f Christianity, and. remarkable as was he aptitude they betrayed for certain principles of law, they had for ages re:ognised but one principle of authority

themselves^the,^ power ol mijjht. " -There i t s ho doubt that at the ifirst outset of' the English: col.onization of New Zealand the natives had ( a vague idea of the superior might of the Euio"•peans.,, There are many circumstances connected with the early' history of the colony to prove that this, feeling of respect existed. - Had the obligations of the treaty of Waitangi been rigidly enforced .from the' first-— had the jfirst outrage on the laws which the natives themselves professed to recognise been sternly puaished, there would probably never have been any serious ' disputes between the two races. .*3ut,this was not done; the authority of -the, law was seldom or at best^-very ' ineffectually!ex"ertedy~"an"d .theT'consequence was a |dis--belie£l'jb'£L its -power and contempt | for the Gjvefnmenipffbhi which thatilaw? • emanated. * s TI/is ? process of disbeliefjhas L'beenpg;oing on (for .years, every now jand :then'~EQaking- its existence felt, -and with rib'attempt tq > check its' operation; Occasionally sparks would fly up from the lurkipg embers of distrust 'arid disaffection—^onlyto be carefully, covered up! by concessions and conciliations. Thejfire -remained spreading silently a'nd steadily under its covering, -^until' something;-^ the Waitara dispute for example- — sjuddenly kicked off the surface and admittinglair to the glowing mass, its burst forth into flame. "This smouldering antagonism has now again blazed forth, and this time embracing wider limits than before. At the last war the Government consented itself, as ■on previous occasions, with covering it up. This time every ember must be extinguished. The power of the 7iatives must be thoroughly and completely destroyed. We are not called on to destroy, the natives themselves to effect this result. One or two crushing defeats oh the Waikato will not do this, although they would prepare the way. The power of • the natives must be aitacked in datail. Looking to thtdesired end — the . iirm establishment o< the power of the Government — even obstacle in" the way must be removed. First place the heel of authority on the insurgent tribei— "-environ them witl. military settlements — intersect thei) territories with roads, and at least render them harmless, aud then will b< the time to consider plans for thei) welfare. The treaty of Waitangi has been often quoted for and against the Natives Et is, doubtless, an imperfect treaty on which to base the government of. the Natives. Virtually it has been broken over and over again. Theoretically, the Natives are regarded as British subjects, practically they have been treated less as subjects than as allies. The whole scheme uf Native governhas been an anomaly. The futun policy of the Government must be based on a clearly defined foundation. We must start fairly with the asuump tion that every native of the colony ;L<de facto a subject of her Majesty. Undoubtedly we shall have to accommodate the administration of Native government to the peculiar circumstances and character of the Maories. but one principle must pervade th< government of both Natives and Euro-peans—^-obedience. Once establish the paramount influence oflcjgitimate authorit} r , and the details of government become easy : ; but unless that is accomplished, the work of legislation will b< constantly interrupted;, Whilst advocating the most vigorous measures against the insurgent tribes, we are not of those who would desire t< - see the Maories blottecl out from th« face of the eartru The Maoris are nn doubtedly a fine race, endowed witl many rare and valuable qualities. Judi cious treatment and enlightened government might have raised them to a position unequalled in the history of modern colonisation, but the very peculiarity of their character has prover the greatest obstacle to the success o the policy which has been brought t( bear on them* If the race is to bt spared —^if the remnant of the one* populous tribes of New Zealand is to be preserved — -if we would desire to set created from it aJasting^monument oi the elevating -^and jh v irnaanising influ ences of civilisation, the-strong hand ol power must not be witli held ■ until the authority of the law, common alikt to Europeans and natives, is firmly established and universally recognised When that is done, it will be time to give play to that spirit of conciliation which may then be safely exercised. The first principles of law established, the details of Government can be easil) . adapted to the peculiar character and ideas of the Natives. Then may we, with some show of reason, admit tht^ •Maori race to a voice in,the Legislature, of the colony, and the enthusiasticdream of' Mr Fitzgerald may to' some, extent be realised. *