The Taranaki Herald.

Taranaki Herald, Volume X, Issue 470, 3 August 1861, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald.

NEW PLYMOUTH, AUGUST 3, 1861.

It is satisfactory to find from public and private advices received by the May mail from London that the Governor's native policy continues to receive the support of the Colonial Office. That truth would ultimately triumph was never a question ; but that the systematic attempts of the pro-native party to misrepresent the Governor should never for a moment have lessened the confidence of the Home Government in His Excellency's judgment and prudence is matter for sincere congratulation. The discussion in the House of Commons on the insurrection shows the folly of the natives, or their advocates looking for sympathy in their illegal combinations, and the Times, in an excellent article we copy elsewhere, reflects the views of the British public on the subject in language not to be mistaken. These facts cannot be too generally circulated amongst the natives during the time now permitted for negotiation. To spare them —and ourselves be it added — the calamities of war, the government is sincerely anxious to secure peace for the colony without further contention, but a struggle can only be averted by the good sense of

the natives themselves. The accession of the men to power who made it their business to assail the policy referred to is undoubtedly an untoward event, though it cannot seriously mislead the natives into the belief that their relation to the government is in any way altered by it. Imperial questions are in imperial keeping, and except as gratifying evidence of the right feeling of the colony, it is immaterial for the issue what party occupies the ministerial seats. The natives have to treat with the Governor direct, the clerico-political alliance cannot influence the course of events. The colonists must suffer the reproach of tolerating a change of men at so critical a juncture. The papers on the native insurrection presented to the Imperial parliament in March contain what may be termed the government " case," and a stronger one for its interference could not arise. The past and present condition of the native population — the relation of our government to it from the commencement, is reviewed with great ability by the Governor in a despatch to the Duke of Newcastle of the 4th Dec. 1860. At the end of twenty years we find the natives, notwithstanding the peculiar privileges they enjoy, banded together for the subversion of the British rule, and disloyal men amongst ourselves excusing the movement. Some may think, as we do, that this is no time for such statements — that they cannot be made with due regard to the peace of thp. colony. Ample opportunity for discussing the native question has already been afforded, and the fullest advantage taken of the opportunity. Judging from the scanty information obtainable of the intentions of the natives, it is questionable if they are now accessible to reason, but rather than that the insurrection should be fanned by further meddling, we should prefer to see the whole of the north island placed under martial law and the work of pacification entrusted to the one man who is competent to deal with it. The Governor and his late ministers, actuated by a desire for the amelioration of the natives, which is fully recognised by the Home Government, have been reproached by Mr Fox and his allies as aiming at the extermination of the race, and if an appeal to arms should become necessary, the guilt will rest with those who have rendered the natives deaf to a peaceable solution of the questions at issue.

Land Sale. — Mr Gledhill disposed of some town land on Friday, the 2nd inst., at auction, as follows. The remaining portion of town allotment No. 889, having a frontage of 52 feet 5 inches, adjoining the Iron Store in Devon street, realised £6 10s. per foot frontage. The quarteracre town allotments Nos. 609, 610, in Young street, were divided into 8 lots, four selling at £18 each, one at £17, two at £15, and one at £11, realising a total of £130, or £65 per allotment.

Some original matter intended for the present issue is unavoidably postponed.