AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 459, 18 May 1861, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

[From the Southern Cross, May 14.] No one, we believe, ever expected great results

from negotiations with the natives south of Taranaki, and events are every day occurring clearly proving that if the peace of New Zealand is to be restored, natives late in arms against the Government, who are unwilling to accept most indulgent and merciful terms, must be dealt with according to their deserts. The Ngatiruanuis are apparently anxious for more bloodshed and plunder. They have turned back the Wanganui mail, threatened to destroy the next one sent down, and refused to allow Europeans or European stock to pass through their district. Under these circumstances, the future of the Province of Taranaki is gloomy in the extreme. The settlers are naturally nnwilling to invest time, labour, and capital in a country open, at any moment, to a Southern raid ; and, though many of their families have already returned from Nelson, we fear greatly, that if the present state of things, continues long, they will have only gained the privilege of companionship in misfortune by their return home. New Plymouth must remain a mere military position till peace is established on some secure and permanent basis ; and no such peace will be the result of negotiations or fighting at Taranaki. This has been long patent to everybody acquainted with the natives. We have ourselves often urged it, and pointed to the Waikato as the centre of opposition to British rule, and a perusal of late Southern files must convince everybody that it is so. Day by day it becomes more and more evident that the King has adherents far and wide. A movement which, if wisely directed in its infancy, might have been powerful for good, has become powerful for evil. The Southern rebels are desirous to range themselves under the King flag, for the purpose of securing Waikato allies : and an alliance, offensive and defensive, appears to have been made, in consequence, between the tribes to the North and South of New Plymouth. The King flag is a convenient rallying point. Tribal distinctions and old tribal jealousies are forgotten in a league against the Pakeha. Ngatiruanui murderers and plunderers are to be received into the band of " United Maories," and their evil deeds are to be forgotten in consideration of their joining it. The terms offered by Government have been refused, because Southern natives feel, that in promising allegiance to the King, they have secured to themselves protection against the Queen); they feel that they are backed up in Waikato, and that a blow struck at them to the South would be the signal for a counter-blow by their allies in the North. Under these circumstances negotiations become useless, and hesitation and procrastination can only serve to strengthen the hands of those in arms against us. Taianaki is ruined for the time being, and our troops have been wisely withdrawn from a position where they could only have spent the winter in mounting guard over ruins. Confidence can never be restored till the King flag has ceased to wave in New Zealand ; and till 'that time arrives Taranaki will be no place for European .settlers. As we write, troops are pouring into the country : with what object nobody knows. Auckland, it appears, is to be their head-quarters ; but we anticipate no fight in the streets of Auckland, ncr yet in the vicinity of Otahuhu, where a force is being concentrated. Is it intended to make a mere demonstration of physical force, or is it intended to strike a blow ? Natives must be asking the question as well as Europeans. Government seems to be throwing down the gauntlet, but not till all other means of settling the present difficulty have been tried. Our present attitude in reference to the natives can only mean this — unless New Zealand i 3 being made use of merely for ulterior Imperial purposes in the Southern Seas — namely, that the British Government is determined to see no rival flag on New Zealand soil.