A TARANAKI VIEW OF THE WAR.

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 2

A TARANAKI VIEW OF THE WAR.

The following is extracted from a private letter written by a Taranaki settler. The language. is very 3trong ; bufcit is written immediately after the receipt of the intelligence of the frightful massacre at Poverty Bay::—:-. -. .V... . . p'J'j " Hew Plymouth, 18th Npv^, 1868. "With regard to the continued native disturbance, I believe it is a well-kid scheme ,to involve the Government in an immense expenditure. With regard to the so-called " fi-iendjies," they do, and will continue to support the rebels, I have no doubt. How else can the rebels obtain supplies of provisions, am* munition, &c. ? I- know that William Sing, of Waitara celebrity, can get everything that he 'requires through the friendly natives of this district. The friendlies at the seat of war get a good moiety of the expenditure going oni and so do the rebels in a treasonable way, by plunder and murder, and by connivance of the neutrals. I infer from all this, that the natives will continue, for many years to come, the present system of warfare, because it does not risk many' natives in. actual fight, or to be destroyed at one time. At the same time, the rebels are well aware it does'not lessen our expenses to guard the country, and to force them to action. They will, therefore, fight and retreat (and only yield inch by inch), I feel almost Certain in a straight line from Wanganui to the Waitara; and when the rebels reach our district, I have an idea the war will be general. ':V " Of course, if the rebel? can carry on this game the sooner we are all away from New Zealand the better for us; and so to surrender the country back to them again. You will ask me, what are we to do? I consider there is only one way to remedy the deplorable state of affairs. It is, TO take UK immensrSACRIFICE OF NATIVE LIFE ATONE STEOKE; beginning in the disaffected districts, arid to slaughter, indiscriminately, rebels and deceitful friendliest About two . months since, I should have advocated head-money. The time for that, however, is past. It is too late now I believe. The ; different; tribes are: fraternising and organising for a definite purpose with the Hauhaus (who are iking natives). I am sure greater troubles are to come, unless the rebels and all that are disaffeoted in the Patea district are destroyed before the plantations and crops are perfected anil housed. " There is a tremendous responsibility resting on the present Government, .They will ruin the prospects of this country for a life-time to come. They ought to hare baeo. expelled th,«jri«aJ9 long sgQ,'*