THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3140, 5 June 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY.

The following telegrams between Mr. Kelly and the Government, in reference to the occupation of Mr. Courtney's farm, at Tapuac, by the native agents of Te Whiti, are published for general information. The telegram signed by Mr. Kelly, dated the 28th, in reply to the telegrams of Sir G. Grey, was not sent, owing to a misunderstanding explained by Mr. King at the meeting of Magistrates on Saturday. But as it appears to have expressed the views of the public, it was, with a slight alteration, adopted by the Justices, as an expression of their opinion on the present position of affairs :—: —

New Plymouth, May 26, 1879. To the Hon. Sir George Grey, Premier ;

and Hon. J. Sheehan, Native Minister.

Information has been received from an undoubted source, Messrs. Carrington and Shand, that a party of natives, under the leadership of Tukino and Walker, have commenced ploughing on Mr. Courtney's land at Tapuae. They are acting under instructions of Te Whiti, and it is unquestionably the first seizure of occupied confiscated land, to be followed by the occupation of Mr. Wm. Bayly's farm at Stony River, and other occupied confiscated land at the Waitara, and other places in the district. The question is one of the most serious character possible, involving the very safety of this district, and one that ought to* be dealt with promptly by the Government. It seems to us that an important crisis is at hand, and that the Government should be prepared to meet a great emergency, or disastrous results may follow. T. Kelly, On behalf of the Committee.

New Plymouth, May 26, 1879. To the Hon. Sir G. Grey, Premier, and the Hon. J. Sheehan, Native Minister, Wellington. On further consideration, the gentlemen who met this morning are of opinion that the presence of the Native Minister, or some other Minister, is indispensably necessary for the existing emergency. Reply anxiously looked forward to, to this and former telegram. T. Kelly, For the Committee.

Wellington, May 27, 1879. To T. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., New Plymouth. I am much obliged to you for your telegram, and for the information which you have sent me. I have telegraphed to the owner of the land now being ploughed up by natives, to say that the Government will bring the usual civil action for trespass on his behalf, and bear him harmless of all costs. He has most wisely placed himself in the hands of the Government. You will, I know, feel with me that too much prudence and circumspection cannot be exhibited in this matter. We are in such a position of strength that if the necessity arises the whole case can be firmly and conclusively dealt with. Yet it is of the utmost importance not hurriedly to embark in undertakings regarding a matter upon which we are imperfectly informed, I have telegraphed toParris to ascertain what the alleged intention of the natives is. Sheehan has recovered : I will telegraph to him asking him, if he can, to go to New Plymouth at once, and will take all other such steps as may appear necessary. Pray communicate with me from time to time. Always give your opinion upon the actual state of the matter, and what in your opinion is the best thing to be done ; so that I may have information before me on which to form as complete a judgment as possible.

G. Grey.

Wellington, May 27, 1879. T. Kelly, Esq., M.H.K., New Plymouth. Your suggestion about a Minister lias pressed s upon my mind, and the state of affairs at Taranaki is such, that although I think better of them than I did, I have conversed fully upon them with the Governor, aud I find that his anxiety to do all the good he can is such that he will, if well enough I believe, visit Taranaki on this occasion. I shall make it a point of duty to go with him, so that I may have an opportunity of conversing with the leading men of Taranaki on the state of affairs there, and thus have confidence that any steps taken may be likely to produce really beneficial results. Directly our plans are settled I will telegraph more fully to you.

G. Grey.

Wellington, May 28, 1879. T. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., New Plymouth.

I found to-day that the Governor is obliged to attend a banquet this evening, and cannot, therefore, proceed to New Plymouth this day. In the meantime it is necessary to send the Hinemoa there with a detachment of police to reinforce the block-house at Okato. She will sail for that purpose this evening. On her return here the Governor proposes to proceed to New Plymouth without delay — that is on Friday evening. I shall avail myself of that opportunity of getting to New Plymouth. G. Grey.

New Plymouth, May 28, 1879. To the Hon. Sir G. Grey, Premier, Wellington.

We are glad to learn that the Government is satisfied that it is in such a state of preparedness that it feels itself strong enough to deal with any contingency that may arise out of what appears to us a very threatening aspect of affairs. There as in this district, however, no sufficient appearance of such strength or preparedness either to allay the anxious feelings of the settlers or to duly impress the minds of the natives. We are of opinion that mi exhibition of the power the Government can wield on any emergency by strengthening the district by armed men would do more to make the natives act as peaceable subjects ! han any civil action in a court of law is likely to do. A feeling of uneasiness and distrust is spreading amongst the settlers, and a disposition is arising to use force in removing any natives who may venture in other districts to occupy land as has been done at Tapuae. They feel that the process of a civil suit, however right and proper as between lawabiding subjects to settle a matter of disputed title, is not a right and proper procedure for a Government to take dealing with quasi rebel natives, who by force dispossess peaceable subjects of land held under Crown grant. They are persuaded that if the unlawful acts of these misguided individuals are not dealt with promptly by the Government, tthcy will so spread as sooner or later to result in actual collision between the races. They consider that such a calamity may be avoided by at once arresting these men, having previously made such a disposition of their forces as to

render any subsequent attempt at rescue hopeless. These are the opinions of the people of this district briefly expressed, and in which we generally concur. We, however, recognize the fact that the Government is responsible for the maintenance of peace and order. We have, therefore, no wish to appear to dictate what action the Government should take in this emergency, but hope that, as a matter of precaution, the district be at once strengthened by an accession of the Armed Constabulary Force.

Thomas Kelly, For the Committee.