CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 190, 10 May 1860, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To ths Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. as we are by perils and dangers, war at o.ur doors, and rapine and murder stalking through the land, where are we to look for support and protection, unless to the Government under which we live ? And if at such a time we find we have an .earnest, active, and energetic Governor, struggling against almost insurmountable difficulties to afford the aid we require, shall we not look up to him with grateful feelings, and. can we do less than tender to him our heartiest support ? /Such has been the opinion formed by the inhabitants of W, anganui of their present Governor. They believe lie has done and will do more for New Zealand than any of his predecessors—that he has cut the. Gordian knot of New Zealand difficulties —that he has found the remedy for the evils under which we have laboured for so many years past —through his means we now see light in the future—and we have attempted to express to him our satisfaction in a short and simple, but true and hopest. address* expressing our views and feelings, ami tendering to him our cordial support. Our representative, Mr. Fox, has declined to.affix his name to this address, and has-, Ly a letter in the Wanganui Chronicle of Thursday last, published as Lis assigned reason for so refusing,•=*-“ An impression upon his mind v that the Governor has commenced an unjust. “ war ; and lias incurred a great responsibility “ in. appealing to the sword for the settlement “ of this land question, without having appa- *• rently attempted any milder method of adjustment.* Mr. Fox haa also. p.yt forth the 'grounds upon which such, impression is founded. [ will therefore proceed, to examine both sides of the case as shown by him ; if correct in his [view, his protest is late- ; if otherwise he could not have hit upon a time more- pregnant with consequences, nor a subject more likely to. prove of the deepest injury to New Zealand, than the one lie has now mooted.

. Whether the war is ju-d and necessary de-. pends, says Mr. Fox, upon the question, “ .Whether the purchase of the land from E “.Teira was a complete- and valid purchase or “ not.” He continues, —“ The Governor in- “ forms us, that E Teira was competent to “ sell without the permission of W. ICingi; “ that he did sell, and that tlie Government “ did purchase,-in conformity with the prin- “ ciples on which other purchases from the “ natives have been effected ;• that if there “ were any other joint owners, they either '* assented to the sale expressly, or aequiesced in it by their silence; and that W. Kingi, “ in particular, admitted E Teira’s right to “ sell, while declaring- that he wouhl not allow “ him to do it.”

This is plain and straightforward on the part of the Governor, and, as a public declaration, is entitled to respect. It has, doubtless, not been made without a clear and searching inquiry; he has the Native Land Purchase Commissioners, the officers of' the Native department, che bishop, t he missionary, and every other influence to press upon his attention all questions favourable to the native interest. He has his own good sense to guide, and his Council (if wrong) to control him. He has everything to lose by a false step. His reputation as a man of humanity as well as a politician, and as a soldier, are all at stake. He has all to lose, and nothing to gain, beyond the consciousness of doing his duty. Why, therefore, should we doubt him? When amongst us some time since, and pressed on all sides to purchase land, what was his reply ? We were told, that in the purchase of land he had more to encounter than we were aware of; it was necessary the title should be shown in the parties proposing to sell; that such title was generally not in one, hut several; and that, unless the sale was voluntary, and the act of all, no purchase would be made ; that every caution woul,d be used in making such purchases, but‘that, once made, the Government would be firm in holding possession. This was candid and open, and the case which has now arisen is precisely one in point. The most sensitive and scrupulous must be satisfied, and strong, and clear should be the reasons to usher in- doubt, upon the heels of which ruin must attend. I Against this position Mr. Fox says,— i ‘ King?s friends, on the contrary, assert, that

“ ,EJ. Teira. had no..independent separate title “ to, the, land ; that whatever he held in it he “ held in . com mon with about fifty • other “ owners ; that his title, whatever it amounted “ to, was derived through his father, who is “ still alive, who, protested against the sale, “ and is now fighting in Kingi’s ranks; that “ many more who resided at Port Nicholson, “ Queen Charlotte’s Sound, and elsewhere, “ were never consulted ; that Kingi, as head “ of the tribe, on behalf of these absentees, “ and on his own behalf, did protest, in the “ manner usually adopted by natives, by rising “ abruptly and leaving the meeting with his “ followers; and that the purchase was a loose <! and incomplete transaction—in fact, no pur- “ .chage at ail.”

What is there tangible in all this? A more unconnected, incomplete, and I may loose, bald, disjointed: piece of chat was sureTy never before collected together, and gravely put forth, for so serious a purpose. Who are the friends of Kingi who have told these idTe tales ? Where are the credulous people to whom they were told ? And through how many hands have they passed ere they reached and made such deep impression upon Mr. Fox? The mode of protest, too—which appears to have had its effect —seems rather Hibernian-; King having much to say on behalf, of himself and friends, walks off, we are told, and by way of protest ‘ says nothing.’

There is a letter extant upon this subject; 'the following is a copy : “ New Plymouth, 4t.h Pec. 1859. ° Sir,—l have the honor to inform'you, that on Tuesday, the 29th ult, I paid an instalment of £IOO to Teira an d ot-hers, for land at Waitera. On Tuesday, the 25th ult., I went to Waitera to inform William King that I purposed doing so. On Tuesday, the 29th, he came to town with a party of' about thirty to. oppose it. I prevailed upon them to meet Teira’s party, and discuss the question, which was done in . a very orderly manner, in the presence of a very large audience of Europeans, * ■ “W. King avowed his determination to oppose the sale,, without advancing any reason for so doing, upon which I put a series of questions to him. which I called upon the Rev. Mr. Whiteley to witness, namely,— “ Q.—Does the land belong to Teira and party ? “ A.—Yes ; the land is theirs, but I will not let them sell it.

“ Q- —Why will you oppose their selling what is their own ? “ A.—Because I do not wish that the land should be disturbed ; and though they, have floated it, I will not let. it go to sea. ! “ Q. —Show me the correctness or justice of your opposition.? ; . “A.—lt is enough, Parris; their bellies are full with the sight, of the money you have promised them. But don’t give it them; if you do, I won’t let you have the land, but will take and cultivate it myself. “ Tiera stops in town since he received the instalment, considering it not safe to stop at Waitera. “ I have the honour, 'Ac. “ Egbert Parris, “ District Commissioner. £C To the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, Auckland.”

If evidence is to decide this case, what can be clearer-—what more conclusive ? Kingi is shown to. have openly admitted that the land did belong to Teira. After which, how flimsy are the pretences of these- shadowy friends of W. Kingi, who have rolled.their snowball at the feet of Mr. Fox,-.

But, in continuation, Mr. Fox says, “ I have “ read the statements put forth by the Go- “ vernor, discussed the matter with officers of “ the Land Purchase and Active departments, “ and with three missionaries of tv enty years’ “ experience amongst the natives; heard the “ line of argument, which is, being very zeal- “ ously, perhaps not very discreetly, urged by “ KingPs friends at Otaki, Wellington, and “ elsewhere ; and I have been present at a “ large meeting of natives where the subject “ was discussed ; and the conclusion at which- “ I have arrived is. it is impossible to say “ whether the purchase is valid or not” If Mr. Fox puts implicit belief in all he has heard, he has a right to the doubt he expresses; but, doubling, .how does he justify the several charges he has published to the world,-and of which, by implication, his letter is full ?

I have no doubt the Governor has well considered and digested the facts of this case, and that the responsibilities which he may have incurred, as well as those with which he is threatened, will sit lightly upon him ; the peo-. pie of Wanganui, as I believe, think so too; nor will they fail to support him to the best of their ability. I have not touched upon politics, believing that hoiiest men are not always excluded from a government, and that sensible men are sometimes led astray by political bias. I seek only simple and plain reasons for things as they are. In conclusion, I would observe, that Mr. Fox, in the observations he lias offered, has left out of view our other native friends upon the coast, who were on their way to join the much injured W. Kingi at Taranaki, but who received such cogent hints to go to. the place from whence they came. Possibly some were joint , owners of the, property, and were proceeding to. enforce the protest of W. Kingi, and, still more probably, they were the very friends of W. Kingi who put the snowball in motion. H. Koss. ;

To, the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. May 5, 1860. Sir,- —In your paper of the 3rd, Mr. Fox has given his reasons, as our member for the

general Assembly, for not signing the address to uhanimously signed by our settlers in support of the Governor's proceedings at Taranaki. As I addressed a letter to you on the 16th of last month, giving reasons why such an address was necessary, I feel that I ought to make some remarks on Mr. Fox’s objections thereto. . He objects to sign the address as he is not certain that the purchase of Te Teira’s land tvas complete and valid ; hence he doubts the war being just and necessary. : The Governor (he says) informs us, that Te Teira was competent to sell, and that Wiliam King admitted his right to sell, but declared at the same time that he would not tallow him to do it. In opposition to this Mr. Fox quotes King’s friends, who states that there were fifty claimants to this block whose claims were not satisfied. He further states that he has discussed the matter with officers of the native land department, and with missionaries of experience ; but does not state their views on the subject. •Then, again, he speaks of the responsibility which rests on the Governor for applying to the sword without apparently attempting a milder method of settling the question ; then goes on to point out the danger to the settlers in commencing a war without sufficient warning, <fec., and winds up by wishing to keep his mind unbiassed, as lie may be called on to adjudicate on these proceedings hereafter. There are but two sides to the question. There is no middle course to follow. If people won’t believe what Government state, they must believe what the rebel s friends cram down their throats; in fact, they had better become maories at once. It is not likely the Governor would make the above statement without having fully investigated Te Teira’s claim, as the question was mooted twelve months before he received payment. In all native purchases the same postponement of final payments occurs, to give every Claimant time to come forward. Mr. McLean is most particular in seeing that all claimants are satisfied; and it is very unlikely he would deviate from his general rule in this instance. Mr. Fox is not very complimentary to Government, in allowing the statements of a rebel’s friends to have the same weight in his mind as the government proclamations. William King’s only excuse to oppose this sale was his right of chieftainship, by which he wished to prevent any chiefs selling their own property. No one would wish to force them to give up their lands, but at the same time no chief should be allowed to hare control of what is not his own, or prevent a weaker party, that wishes to sell, as William King did to Iliaia, and would have done to Te Teira if Government had allowed it. I have been repeatedly told by the Ngatiruanui people, that tfyeir chief reason for joining the king was, that they would make over their lands to him, so that they would not. have the power to sell without his consent; this would prevent any of their people being tempted to sell, and so avoid a civil war as that raging at Waitera a few years ago. If this is the case, and all the kingites do the same, what chance have we of getting more land or seeing. the colony advance. It is equally against the interest of the natives, though they do not see it; so much so, that Government would he justified in paying them a fair price, and taking their surplus land with or without their consent.

How does Mr. Fox know that the Governor has risked this war on his own responsibility ? Had he wished to do so, had he not provocation enough twelve months ago, when, lie was so grossly insulted by W. King at Waitera, at the commencement of the same question of Te Teira’s ?

His forbearance in that instance goes to justify the opinion that lie is acting under orders from home; and his receiving such large reinforcements at a moment’s notice looks as if. they were ordered to be in readiness.

Surely, if any have to complain, it is those who are actually suffering ; and why do they not ? It is because they see it is a necessary war, that has been forced on the Governor by the natives themselves. If Mr. Fox reads the address of the General Assembly member for Omata, to his constituents, published in the Herald oi the 21st of April, lie will see their views of .this question. If Mr. Fox is called to the General Assembly, it is to be hoped that lie will not allow old political animosity to bias his mind on this war question. Were he to visit the scene of action he might alter his views. There are some that may oppose the Governor for reasons best known to themselves, but certainly the settlers should support him as far as lies in their power. | remain, yours, Ac. P. G. Wilson.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. Kai-Iwi, May 7, 1860. - Sir,—A letter from Mr. Fox, considering his known ability, political career, and eloquent appeal is sure of general perusal, and will only have influence with those who believe specious pleading in opposition to known circumstantial evidence and generally ascertained facts-r-the. worst move Mr. Fox could have made—one that will damage, his popularity and d.isaffect many of his constituents here. We regret the neutrality he has chosen, for in these times we can ill spare any clever man. 1. His only reason appears to be the fear of coming to judgment on the War with a pledged and prejudiced mind when the Assembly meets—the wary politician—he has prejudged—he has argued the war pro and

coin —he says so—he states what he concludes to be the facts of the case, and then asks his constituents to believe that he is unbiassed either way. Now, Sir, were he to write paper upon paper, or talk for hours in racy and eloquent strains after such a style, he will not bliud some of us at least to the best interests of the Colony; to wit, the extinction of native title, and the acquirement of land. 2. Taranaki has suffered for years through the mismanaged land question, and the natives have for years been in a disturbed state on this very point—of selling or not selling. The late chief Katatore and the new leader Wm. King, contrived to deal largely with Taranaki leading merchants, and both getting deeply involved were anxious dishonestly to get out of the debt. They knew if they sold land that these debts would be paid, first—they knew that once under British law they would be compelled to pay—therefore they joined the league not to sell. Is William King to be encouraged in thi3 cunning and knavery ? Z’he whole phalanx of the native department were in favour of the purchase of the disputed land. Let Mr. Fox enquire-of. Mr. McLean, of Mr. Parris, and of his His Excellency’s advisers, who all approved of Teira’s title, and the Governor bought the land. Win. King, a returned slave and a cunning leader of a tribe of dishonest followers, steps in and says “ The Governor must not have possession, the land must not be surveyed even though a bona fide purchase on good iitle- ,> Is the Representative of British authority to be thus obstructed? and that too by a designing knave! Are the opinions, of Mr. Fox’s learned and pious informers, or the deliberate acts of Government'to be relied, on,? Which are more “ just and necessary”'to the solution of the question—Js the War justifiable ? 3. What can the Assembly sift, which has, not already again and again been sifted ? An d what can Mr. Tox know of the cause of the war more than lie and all other colonists do ? From: their knowledge of the facts they have unanimously in every settlement declared in favour of the Governor, ami in sympathy with Taranaki. Weie not milder and more per suasive methods tried? Did they not meet and reason upon the dispute ? Did not the Governor show his right to the land, and was not King told that the responsibility of disturbing the peace of the Island rested with him i And therefore, we conclude now, that he and all who join him are rebels—rebels to British authority—Traitors to their own Treaty, even our enemies being judges, for whole tribes from the North to the South have written to the Governor and Mr. McLean saying “ that they considered William King in the wrong.”

4. Rut, .what can we think of this cautious and respectful letter, if we view the war in another phase—that of being merged in the Maori King movement. Is it possible that an Englishman exists in these islands so dastardly callous to liis Country’s honour as. to allow, that a solemn treaty is to be trampled on by a remnant of “gentlemen savages”(?) with impunity ? No, Sir; perhaps it will be better for Mr. Fox’s “ three missionaries of twenty years’ standing,” and Mr. Fox himself to make themselves scarce during the war, by going home, and in Exeter Hall acknowledge that instead of inculcating love, peace, and truth , .they have only succeeded in making the natives avaricious, deceitful, treacherous, and ungrateful. Mr. Fox. you are under fine training, for inferentially you are being duped until in the Assembly Mr. C. W. liichmond’o perspicacious salve open your eyes, and dispel the darkness in which you are now enveloped. We hope no latent rancour to the Richmond policy indited your epistle, and that no desire to oust the present ministry on the question of the war harbours in your bosom. •T. Tbeweek, Sens.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. liangitikei, May 7,1860.

Sir,^ —As it appears from the letter of William Fox, Esq., of the 27th ult., that he differs in opinion from a very large majority of his constuents as evinced by the number of signatures to the Memorial addressed to His Excellency the Governor, on what is a question of the most vital importance, and one also on which it is necessary that our Representative should be the represetantive not. only of this District but also of its opinions, I think it is quite necessary, unless we intend

to completely stultify ourselves, that Mr. Fox, of We stoe, Rangitikei, be called upon to resign bis seat in the General Assembly, in order that we may have an opportunity of electing some other gentleman whose opinions will be more in accordance with our own. Fairplay.

To the Editor of the Wanganui Chronicle. May 9, 1860. Sib, —In your last week’s issue a letter appeared from Mr. Fox, our representative in the General Assembly, which has caused great excitement in this place, and a meeting has been called for to-morrow to discuss its merits.

Whatever decision the. meeting may arrive at, they must give Mr. Fox credit for honesty and candour; he has through your columns given his reasons for not appending his name to the memorial to his Excellency, as in duty bound, to his constituents; and the letter in question is a plain statement of what Mr. Fox believes to be facts from beginning to It may have been impolitic in Mr. Fox giving such publicity to his opinions just at this time, but I think we haye cause, to be proud of having a gentleman tQ represent us > who, in time, of need, can stand up boldly for truth, and justice. your obdt. servant, Thomas B. Taylor,

To the Editor of } the .Wanganui Chronicle. :Sir,— "We are in ail tlte bustle of prepation for the worst that can happen. But there appears to Hie to be a serious omission in our preparations. 1 If Wanganui should be beleagured as Taranaki is—-some defences must be raised on the outskirts of the Town for its protection; What are these defences to be made of and how may they most speedily be constructed ? The answers to both these questions is with facines and gabions. Rut the materials for baskets must be collected, and how are they to be so if the enemy is around the Town and in possession of the bush ?• Now is the time for providing these materials—l'et parties of soldiers be occupied in cutting and bringing into Town supplejacks and branches—with these properly made use of and'rifle pits inside of the earthworks we may if we should be so hard pressed defy all the maories. that have ever been in New Zealand. I gra, Ac., A Wanganuun.