THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3138, 3 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS,

We continue from yesterday our report of the deputation to the Ministers on Saturday last :—

Major Atkinson : Then I understand, Sir George, that we may assure the country settlers that they are quite right to remain on ' their- farms at present ?

The Premier : I apprehend no immediate danger — and what may happen is another question. Of course I will let them have the first information I get instantly. Nothing shall be kept back from them. I think something must be left to the settlers themselves on particular points to judge.

Major Atkinson : If you leave it to the settlers of course wcshall feel it our duty to take steps at once.

The Premier : I understood the question was whether I would warn the people to leave or not.

Major Atktnson ; The settlers want to know — is the Government prepared to protect them on their properties or is the responsibility thrown upon the out-settlers to look .to their own defence?

The Premier : I think it should not be left to them. I think, as far as possible, we shoi'l 1 take that responsibility, but if on the other hand I am asked will I tell auy man to remain on his property until I warn him to leave — that I cannot do.

Major Atkinson : There is one of two things — cither the Government must undertake the defence of the Province, or we must. We are not prepared to leave our wives and families in exposed positions, unless the Government help us. (Henr, hear.) We thiuk we have a right to ask, as peaceable subjects of Her Majesty, to have everything the law demands they have a right to ask from Government.

The Premier felt that there was no immc diatc danger. As to telling the settlers thalthey might remain on their lands until warned off — that was a rcsponsibilHy which he thought it was impossible for any Government to take. Why so ? Because sonic settler at night might hear of some circumstance having transpired which the Government di 1 notkno.vof ; or a squabble with a drunken native might create trouble.

Major Atkinson : It is the duty of the Government to protect us as peaceful subjects of Her Majesty.

The Premier : The answer to that is that the Government will protect the settlers.

Major Atkinson : I should like this quite clear, beaause as representing a district, I am perpetually applied to by settlers. I took it upon myself to recommend settlers to remain o:i their farms for the present, and I ask for a distinct declaration from the Government. Now you are here, I feel my responsibility gone altogether, and I should offer no advice, but state that you said so airl so. I want it to be distinctly understood that if the settlers do not receive an assurance from the Government they will of necessity begin to move their families from outside. We could not take upon ourselves the responsibility of their blood being upon our head. I have been telegraphed to from Hawer.x to ss;o there immediately, which I should have done had I not stopped to meet you to-day. lam anxious to hear if the Government is prepared to give a proper assurance. Colonel Whitmore said Sir George Grey hid spoken with no uncertain sound. It was the duty of settlers in case of attack or molestation by the natives to act in unity, and the list persons iv the country to allow them to lxck assistance were Sir George Grey himself. They had in this district already 2CO Armed Constabulary, a very efficient force. The settlers had not been called upon yet to undergo the privation of leaving their work. There Verc still other men in reserve in case of trouble, and the3 r had arms packed in fifties at Wellington, together with amunition, which could be sent down immediately, and be hero in twenty-four hours. There was such a thing as defence and defiance, and until the time had come he thought it was injudicious on their part to make unnecessary He hoped that Major Atkinson would not think the Government intended to shirk their duty. Major Atkinson : We simply wish for an assurance as it may necessitate action on our part. The Premier : I think that the most satisfactory thing that I have heard to-day is the "alternative placed before the Government, that if the Government do not do it themselves you will do it yourselves. As long as that spirit rcmaius in the country, I thinkthere will bs very little danger. The renl object that has brought us here is that we should know how these out-settlements arc situated, that they may be looked after. I think, in saying that, that I say all I can say at present. " That is the mind of the Government and every member of the Ministry. Mr. T. Wilson said the settlers felt that they were living in a condition of constant menace, and they wanted the question to be brought to an issue. Great uncertainty and anxiety prevailed. On all hands they were paralysed, and ruin staring them in the face. Should this .state of things continue for throe months longer, he undertook to say that it would mean ruin to them.

Colonel Trimble : I think j'ou should get a warrant for the apprehension of those persons who are maliciously on this land, and maliciously destroying the grass crop. Suppose a warrant was obtained, and we went to take these men, what force is there in the district that would justify the magistrates in putting the law into motion? The law seems to nuT perfectly clear to take these men, and adjudicate at once upon the case. — [The discussion then turned on what available force the Government had at its disposal, in case the natives defied the law.] Colonel Trimble continued : I merely mention these things which are floating in the minds of settlers. It seems to me that unless the available men in the district arc very greatly increased, the Magistrates would be very tardy in putting the law into operation, and the settlers would naturally be tardy in coming into Court to assert their claims, and .there may be this difficulty which I fear more than anything else — a man may take the law into his own hands. I confess that if I saw a man coming and doing what the Maoris have done on Mr. Courtney's land I woul 1 be very much inclined to shoot him (applause), and that might lead to difficulties. There are men who would do it. A feeling of exasperation is spreading in the district, which I am afraid you don't quite comprehend. It is with that view these gentlemen have come to you. The general impression is that the force in the district is not largo enough ; the arms in

the district are not nearly numerous enough ; aud the ammunition in Ihe district is nob nearly sufficient even fur the m\ns we have.

Colonel Whitmore : That is a very small thing about the ammunition. I have 1,500 stand of arms in Wellington, and could fall back for Sniders on the South Island. Of course if it was absolutely necessary I could send all of them. They arc packed up now, and ready to be here in twenty-four hours. The guns are packed up in fifties each with its hundred rounds of ammunition. There are over two million and a-half rounds of ammunition. If a disturbance does come we shall call upon you of course to do your share in putting it down — on those who are able-bodied and those who come under the Volunteer regulations. You have nearly the whole of the Armed Constabulary in this district, and of course wo cannot, actually take away men from the Waikato.

Colonel Trimble : I should like you to undcrstaud I regret very much the line of comment that is so frequently indulged in with regard to Te Whiti. I believe that he is very grossly misrepresented, aud I cannoL agree with the strictures generally made upon him. With regard to the alarm — personally I have shown all I can that I am not. alarmed. I have taken my wife and family right into the bush, so that we should be iv the same position as our fellow-settlers. I do not feel alarmed in that position, but I sec we may ( I rife into difficulties unless the people are satisfie I that there is something that they can depend on. The feeling has just begun, and if if once takes a certain form there will be no end to it.

Mr. Curtis (Omata) asked if in case of actual hostilities would the Government have a hulficient force here to protect the outscttlers .'

Colonel Whitmore :-Of course the Armed Constabulary would take the brunt of it. It woul 1 require to bo reinforced and there would have to be a large number taken from here.

The Premier : IE a disturbance doss take place he will bj a very clever man who will keep the settlers back inside while there is fighting going on outsi'lc.

Major Atkinson : Then we are to understand that the Government thiuk that there is no immediate danger, and that the settlers may remain as they are at present. In the meantime the Government will consult with anyone who likj.s to give information, and the Government will consider a definite policy?

Mr. W. Courtney said that if a large force was not sent immediately they did not know what the consequences might be to the country. The settlers were suffering severely and mmy of them leaving the district. If there ha I bjjn any bloo lshcd, it would have remakio 1 ou the heals of Messrs. Atkinson and Bnyly for keeping the settlers ou their lands. If Te Whiti told the Maoris to go and burn everything next morning, there would be no protection for the settler.

Mr. 11. R. Richmond said they had hitherto shown great forbearance, but he thought they had come to the point when they could forbear no longer. They had not to consider as to four or five hundred fighting men, but they had to consider the exposed state of the out-settlers in the whole country. They were forced to wait patiently and quietly, and they relied upon the Goverumeut to take extraordinary means to prevent frightful disasters.

Mr. T. Wilson : The natives do not disguise the fact that we will have to leave here very soonj There is one thing, as long as you allow the nest at Parihaka to remain in its present state there will be no peace. Every one of the natives about my place has a gnu.

Mr. Courtney said as regarded getting arms here in twenty-four hours, they had known what it was to be a week without bsiug able to communicate ; therefore it would be just as well if the arms were here as in Wellington. He referred to the hardship upon himself of these men cutting up his grass land, and then having the audacity to" ride through the town.

Colonel Whitmore proceelcd to question a number of those present regarding the outsettlements, and the meeting was transformed into a semi-privale conference.