The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1879.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 1643, 27 December 1879, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1879.

The Government by fixing the beginning of April for the trial of the Maori prisoners, evidently intend to give themselves the whole of the recess for settling matters on the West Coast, m the hope that during that lime they will be able to secure such a hold of the disturbed country that the result of the trial, whatever it may be, will not give cause for further anxiety. At present, with two hundred of the pick of their fighting men m gaol, disorganised and disheartened by the absurd failure of Te Wbiti's demonstrations, and worn out by long suspense, sickness, and scarcity of provisions, the natives cannot be m a position to offer any formidable resistance to the authorities or to place the settlements m any serious peril. The plan of the Government is, we understand, to press on public works through the confiscated lands as fast as possible, and resolutely to qnell by force any attempt at obstruction on the part of *.he natives. The survey of the Waimate plains will then, no doubt, be completed, and the requisite preparations made for placing settlers upon it under the ordinary operation of the law. The appointment of the Commission provided for by the Confiscated Lands Enquiry and Maori Prisoners Trial Act, will follow m due course, and the rights of the natives, we may be sure, will receive the fullest consideration. The first thing to be done, however, if there is to be permanent tranquillity on the West Coast, is to establish absolutely the' lawful authority of the Crown, and to show the natives that the Government have the- power as well as the determination to deal with the confiscated lands as a conquered territory. That being effected, the Commission can pz - operly proceed to investigate the claims and grievances of the natives, and the Government can afford to treat those misguided people not only justly but liberally, with respect to reserves, compensation, or other reasonable provision for their subsistence and well-being. The late Ministry, by their irresolution, imprudence and negligence, — their utter lack of administrative capacity, in 'fact, — produced such a state of affairs on the West Coast that both Maoris and Europeans m that part of the country, lost all confidence m the power of the law. The effects of years of hard-fighting andaatill longer period of steadily progressing settlement, seemed to have been effaced m a few months by the influence of a crafty fanatic, instigated by a handful of turbulent characters. The residents m the neighborhood, who are as courageous and trustworthy a set of men as are to be found m any part of the world, were snubbed, discouraged and trifled with by Sir George Grey until their capabilities of defending their homes and preserving peace, were paralysed. A general feeling of insecurity and profound depression prevailed, and it is mainly owing to the fact that the native agitation took the form of religious mania instead of violent aggression, that the district escaped a terrible calamity. Such was the situation which the Grey Ministry left |as a legacy to their successors. It is right, though, to record that one member of that Ministry is entirely free from blame m this respect. Colonel Whitmore, the late Minister for Defence, patiently and with great judgment did his utmost throughout to counteract the imbecility and perversity of his colleagues. Though prevented by them from taking any active steps for the final settlement of the difficulty, at a time when it would have been easy to do so successfully, he yet carried out such operations as came within his own department, with a promptitude and persistency for which he deserves all credit. In a remarkably short space of time he restored to an efficient state the Armed Constabulary, which had previously dwindled down to a very feeble force. He recalled to the service of the colony as many trained men as he could induce to join. He distributed the corps under experienced officers at various posts commanding the disturbed country. In short, he made all the necessary arrangements for giving effect to just that vigorous policy which his colleagues were too vacillating, too j disunited and, we fear, too half-hearted Ito adopt. To him, therefore, the present Ministry owe it that they have the means at hand for proceeding with the settlement of the West Coast without delay ; and if they succeed, as we have little doubt they will, Colonel Whitmore must share with them the honor of extricating the colony from one of the most perplexing difficulties that ever beset it. We have always looked to public works for the best solution of the native question ; and we are very glad to find that the Government propose to initiate their native policy, not by bold- j ing twaddling meetings with particular chiefs, not by squandering money m pampering particular tribes, but by pushing on roads and railways, and thus bringing civilisation irresistibly to the verge of the Maori territory. A policy of this kind m the hands of resolute, thougL cautious, men, such as Mr Brycc and Major Atkinson, will not admit of any retrogression. The natives will be taught by it to understand that surveyors, or navvies, or engineers rcpres«nt the law, just as much as soldiers, for the reason that if they, acting by authority

of the law, arc molested or obstructed,* an overwhelming armed force is at hand to support them. Such -a policy too, meahs'occupatiori; not jnerely acquisition. The past Roubles on the West Coast, and elsewhere m the North Island, have mainly arisen from the Crown obtaining legal, but not actual possession of large tracts of land, thus leaving ever behind them that teterrimacausa of all native belli, a title which the Maoris at all events consider open to dispute. The progress of what we may call military public works, on the other, hand, will be followed immediately by a stream of European-population, whose presence forms the most conclusive evidence of title .that the. Crown, could possibly show to the natives. If anything can bring them to reason and induce them to enter into satisfactory relations with tho Government, it will be the spectacle of the confiscated lands surveyed, traversed by roads, subdivided, sold and studded with homej steads, and all under circumstances which never for an hour afford them a hope of aiTesting the process by either violence or parley. The Hall Ministry have made no boast of what they intend to do m this direction. On the contrary, they have freely expressed their full sense of the responsibility and difficulty attending any movement m the matter. But they have taken office under conditions which render them m honor bound to settle the affairs of the West Coast both satisfactory to the European and justly to the natives. They have asked for, and been endowed with, almost unlimited powers and resources for this purpose ; and it only remains for them to apply those powers and resources with firmness, wisdom and despatch. The country has left them the widest discretion as to the manner »r extent of their proceedings ; but the country demands that the result of those proceedings shall be a termination, once and for all, of native disturbances on the West Coast. If the Hall Ministry are the men we take them for, the country will not be disappointed.

The riotous proceedings which took place at Christchurch and Timaru yesterday are exceedingly to be regretted. They indicate the existence of a bitter sentiment for which there is not the slightest reason m this country, and an open exhibition of which cannot be justified on any grounds whatever. .They show that the mere traditions of ancient religious and political conflicts are yet strong enough to make otherwise lawabiding men forget their duty to society, and do that which m their calmer moments they themselves must admit to be incompatible with common sense or right feeling. In a free country, liberty of conscience ought to be respected above all things, and it is quite indefensible* that any section of the community should be exposed to molestation on account of their religious belief, provided that their manner of expressing it is not against the law of the land. If the law of the land is violated, then it is the duty of tho authorities to interfere ; but m no case is it justifiable for the peace to be broken by way of vindicating a religious difference. The strife between the Orangemen and the Catholics has led to such lamentable scenes, and has caused so much suffering and disaster m other countries, that it might have been expected that both parties would desire to avoid a revival of it here ; and it is difficult to understand how such occurrences as those of yesterday came to pass amongst a people who, for many years, have lived together apparently on perfectly amicable terms. It seems, however, to be a subject which cannot very well be dealt with by ordinary reasoning. Each party think that they have right on their side, and moreover, that they are only doing their duty m asserting that right to the utmost. The public aspect of the matter, however, is quite clear and admits of no dispute. It simply is that whatever people's private feelings may be, the law must be obeyed. Now, the law m this country permits societies to walk m procession and wear insignia; and any forcible interference with their doing so, is a breach of the law and a violation of the liberty of the subject. Whether it is expedient tbat public demonstrations which are calculated to excite strong feeling, should be permitted, is another question. Our own opinion is that it would be far better if all Buch displays were forbidden, all religious or political organisations being treated alike m that respect ; but so long as the law allows them, it is not to be tolerated that those who choose to take part m them should be snbjected to violence. Not only are they themselves entitled to the fullest protection, but the whole of the peaceably disposed community are directly concerned m their being protected. Any breach of the peace is an offence against society as well as against the persons particularly injured by it; and any proceedings which set the law at defiance arc bound to arouse public indignation. This, we are sure, is the prevalent feeling, not only among {.hose whose sympathies are engaged with the party assailed, but amongst all who value law and order. The consequence of the disturbances yesterday was that the holiday was completely spoilt, and that thousands who had nothing to do with the quarrel were alarmed and rendered miserable, instead of being happy and comfortable. There is a widespread feeling too, of shame that m communities which have hitherto borne a good name for respectable and humane behavior*, the Christmas season should have been disgraced by street riots and the necessity for extraordinary precautions against lawlessness. We sincerely trußt that all who have any influence to prevent a repetition of anything of the kind, will do their best to exercise it, and that we shall never again have occasion to record such proceedings as are described m our columns to-day.