The Waikato Native Question.

Southland Times, Issue 4494, 5 December 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Native Question.

[By Telegraph. J Wellington, 4th Dee. The following is Mr Bryce's letter to Whanui, "Auckland. " To friend Whanui, greeting : This is a letter from- me to you, which you will do well to regard as one of great importance. I address you because of Tawhaio's word, tbat the decision bad gone from him to you. My first word is in regard to Tawhaio and my recent visit to Alexandra and Whatiwhatihoe. Now Tawhaio was willing- to accept the liberal ternis I offered him, but it was you, yourself, speaking for the Ngatimaniopoto, wlio prevented hiin doing so, and whatever tha consequences may be, you will have to bear tbem. Enough: That is past. There is another matter : That the ha^d of tlie law is suspended over criminals in yotir district. .Now, last session of Parliament an Act was passed which enabled the Goverment to issue a proclamation of pardon to tbe offenders, but how can this proclamation be is&ued while Tawhaio claims a sovereignty; sotting himself outside of the Queen's law, and you support him in it. If the hand of the law descends on the culprits, who will they have to blame but you? Enough of that. When you spoke at Whatiwhatihoe you seemed to desire to go back to the discussion of old Maori causes of trouble between the two races in the Waikato. lam ready to enter upon that if you really desire it, hut remember that the Nt^atimanipotos were as deep in trouble as the Waikatos, and if so, how will you justify that the same punishment should not have fallen upon them as upon the Waikatos? I will not begin the discussion. It is for you to .say whether these tribes are lo be dragged hack from the darkness where they are now hidden. There also i.s another thing for you to look at. You havo closed that part of the country in which you resile against travellers, but this cannot long remain so. Thero are three reasons why it should Ue opened hy roads, and railways, any one of which is sufficiently strong. First *. All the rest of New Zealand is opon to the public hy roads and railways, and your conduct in keeping this part of the countiy closed is a sign of enmily to the colony. If indeed you and your people were enemies of the Government and the colony, it might he right. If we were to continue friends, as we are now, what reason can you give ? For it, is one strong reason and that is that Government owns largo blocks of land near Mokau, and it is unreasonable to suppose that they will consent to be denied access to their own lands The third reason is lhat ihe construction of such public works will greatly enhance the value of everybody's land through which they pass, as well as benefit others ; both Maoris and Europeans. These reasons are strong, and should convince you that you are taking a cours° injurious aliko to others and yourselves. Now these are all[iiiatts rs of importance: do you reflect on them. I am willing still to assist you all in making proper arrangements. The question now is whether you desire to confer with iue on such a purpose. If you do, well, we can meet at some place I will appoint and discuss the things which concern us all. If you do not desire to make prop 'i* arrangements, still you will remember that 1 have made the offer to meet you. and that I desire to make arrangements beneficial to all alike. It is my wish that you will communicate the contents of this my* letter to the people, so that they may know with whom the fault lies if trouble hereafter come upon us. — From your friend, (Signed) '* John- Bhyce."