THEN AND NOW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 243, 22 February 1869, Page 2

THEN AND NOW.

"♦"■" — -\ The Press of November 28— hardly three months ago — published the following : — " In the meantime the great excitement ol the European population in the Northern Island exhibits itself in the development of the worst features ofr our character. True it

is the native is rapidly sinking back into the savage state. . But what about the English ? What can we say — what will history say, of any people amongst whom a proposal finds favour to give so much a head in money for scalps! That is practically the proposal which seems to have found favour at Wanganui, and which is commented on in a public journafattheseatof Government as a proper and rational scheme, worthy of a Christian and civilized State. It actually seems to have been thought that Colonel Haultain, an officer and a gentleman, had sanctioned such a bloodthirsty proposition. Mr Hepworth Dixon,, in his very remarkable book upon New America, remarks on the large influence which the native Indian race has had upon the European race which exterminated it. He might have drawn a powerful illustration of his views from this colony. The savagery of Maori warfare seems to be reflected in the ferocious and cowardly proposals which emanate from the scum of the European colonists. These men seem utterly dead to the fact, that the feeling of chivalry and humanity in war is a sure test of the nobleness and civilisation of a people ; and that to adopt the practice of a savage race is to become savageß ourselves." " Again, we often hear it said — and that by men who" have lived in the North and are listened to as knowing something about the matter — ' Why does not the Government send down the Ngapuhi tribe from the North to attack the Hau-hauß ? ' . Nene Waka, if we recollect rightly, actually offered to take bis tribe down when the war first broke out. But do we imagine that we shall restore peace to the country by encouraging the native tribes to take advantage of present disturbances to indulge in old tribal hatreds. The whole of the Ngapuhi country, which lies northward from Auckland, is thickly studded over with settlers and farms and villages, intermingled with the natives in every direction. The two races have lived together in perfect amity now for more than twenty years ; in fact since HekTs war. The natives during all that time have been under the growing influence of peace ; and as those relations continue undisturbed, the prospect of any revolt from the European rule daily diminishes. But once restore these natives to scenes of blood, awake again the savage instinct for carnage ; more than all, teach them to think' that it haß been by their power and prowess alone that the European power has been supported against the Maori ; and with what prospect can we for one moment suppose that such men will again settle down to the peaceful routine of life which has been unbroken for co many years? It is obvious that the Ngapuhi, would be far more difficult to govern, far more dangerous as neighbours, after' a southern campaign than at present. The whole proposal is one of : those thoughtless and foolish schemes, which are listened to because they come from men who are supposed to know something about the natives." The Press of this morning publishes the following:— "We trust the men of Taranaki will be allowed to deal with .these wretches as they think best, and that a price will be set on their heads sufficient to induce the other natives to join in the pursuit. The sooner they are exterminated the better." " Apart from his [Te Kooti's] murderous fanaticism, he is a centre of rebellion and a pest to the colony, and there will be no peace till he has been hunted down. Why should not the Arawas and Ngatiporous, if they have not been transferred to Wacganui, be employed for the purpose ?" Who is responsible for this frightful decadence in the tone of the Press ?