THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, OCT. 31, 1881.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIV, Issue 4058, 31 October 1881, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, OCT. 31, 1881.

The departure of ouv citizen soldiery for (lio Waimate Plains disaffected district naturally causes an inquiry into the circumstances wliioh render such a course necessary. ' 1 Thero aro those who condomn the aotion of the Government ns precipitate, if not bloodthirsty, but such persons do'not stop to inquire the cause. It should be borne in tuind that the land in dispute is already confiscated territory, having legally fallen into the hands of tho, Government of tho colony, fully fifteen years ago, through the fiorce re: bellion of its owners. It is truo that

at tho timo of such confiscation tho natives were told that a sufficient area should be reserved for them, as an inducement to live peaceably for tho future, and as ft reward for tho loyalty of the few who professed to have taken . no part in tho rebellion of their countrymen against European power and authority. Those who be. haved themselves well for tho futuro, were at that ,time promised a reward in tho shape of reserves to be alloted to tliem out of the lands so confiscated, but- these promises were " not fulfilled. A few years later and • the whole lands were left in the ocou> pation of tho natives, Government - taking np stops to fulfil their 'promises, to apportion tho lands, or to settle tho same with Europeans. A state of ferment was kopt lip by the natives and Ministers remained passive for sptji& years. It was. in 1878 that tho late administration sought > to take ? • possession of tho lands, and to turn thela satno to profitable account,. At this • .time a surveyor was shot' and his party turned back, with the result that Government sent a number of men to the spot to arrest the murderer and vindicate the law, but they only took useless prisoners. The natives wore indignant that after bo long enjoying undisputed ' possession they should be troubled with tho purveyors. It might have been more judicious to inform them that their qlaims would be; fully recognised, and. jlands set apart,. 8 because that was no doubt intended, . .. but no steps were taken to pacify the . occupiers, or to allocate their lands, •i| hence tho indignation. and outrage' r . which followed. Iho natives fenced inl' ; r portions of land as a means <of assert- . ing their rights, but until somo arrango- . ment was made their- conduct, of course, only laid them opon to prosecution) Arrests and prosecutions followed/and imprisonment- during -.Her,- Majesty's pleasure on^ 1 ,.served to incensC olaimaiits; ami- prepare them for further" outrages. In 1880 a bill ,was. intro- » duced by the present Qoveinmpnt, called the West,' Coast Settlement Act, tho object of which • <was- to arrange by means of',"',a spocitil . Commission duly- created, the'settlement of tho claims so long disregarded. The issue of this was that a careful in-', id ve'stigation into all tho circumstances ~ of the confiscation and, subsequent' oc«' 1 cupalion of the land was entered upon,. and exbaustivo recommendations fol- > lowed. Sir Dillon Bell, Sir Wm, Fox, * Mr Commissioner Panis, and, others' acquainted with the natives, and, thenature of the promises made,'.recom* ! -> mended the sotting apart,': of.; lar^e. 1 r tracts of lands lor tho natives; and the''. fullest justice was -intended in tholiberal arrangements ' mado. Tho natives thomselvos expressed their approval of tho terms of settlement, but the leaven of disaffection was so/; firmly rooted, and tho incarceration of • Bomo 400 of .tlioir- peoplo Tfor. anindefinite period had so . wrought ~ upon their feelings, that a number'" of malcontents. obstinately refuse to abcept tho terms. : : To-. .Whiti's aotion in the matter is/well kriqwn. ll ''' < Ho has sought'to favour disafFeotion whilst appearing to sympathise : those who wished: to. accept. : tho terms of and live happily and peaceably together on .tho ample reserves made'by the present * Government. Ono of . the -terms .of settlement included, of course, tho sale and occupation of'that'parfc'|)f ; ' ! territory not alloted to the' natives, and ( it is in disturbing the Buryey pegaicr breaking down the fences: of settlers already in occupation that the' malcontents nave evinced, their disapproval ..of the terms arranged, arid their, desire, to set at defiance the authority of the European?. ' These , ■ obstructionist* grew under' tho lenient treatment of the Government, arid acts of the grossest dißobedienoe%lftw and ; order were perpetrated under the eyea of the Constabulary men sent to'main-. tain the peace of tho district, and; .to. J, defend bona fide settlers on the Jjaridsi i' Tlieir desiro seems to be that the-= land should be left,' as before, to their • : sole ocoupation. They objeot to -.theV terms of settlement, liberal; M they.' are to disaffected aliens,'i and,, seek by, threats of violenoe to proventi v • on tlie Government from pushing on tho , occupation of the land by an industrioiju.« class of settlers. • The utmost foybeaiyi i ance has been exercised—law and order' \ have been outraged by : the natives ! within sight of the Constabulary camp —and no punishment, meted, out ade* quato to the offences perpetrated }■ but" this can not'be allowed to continue, r and Government have at length deter-J. mined to compel compliance ; with their authority. ' Still - Government have no intention of committing any ;> outrage on the natives.' .They, have given them until- the sth proximo to accept the reserves, and to the law of the Queen; and if they dd& not comply the lands* will be, takep from them, roads will,be pushed through. their, distriot, and sales effeoted. the other hand if they exhibit a desire ; to lay aside acts of rebellion, and .to live'peacoably, the utmost liberality will bo shown in allocating the reserves and amnging conditions of occupation," in compliance with tho recommendations of the Royal Commission referred to above. Military operations may follow if the. natives refuse to respect tho. law.