Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1882.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 16 November 1882, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1882.

It ■would be a grave mistake to belieye that the offers made by the Native Minister to Tawhiao and the King natives were rejected because the bid, although of the right kind, was not high enoixgh. It is generally thought that if the decision" had rested with Tawhiao alone he would have Joyfully accepted the £400 a year and the offices- which were to have gone with it, to say nothing of the share he would have had in the land to be returned to the Waikatos. The bid for 'submission was liberal,and would have been more than sufficient if the tribes had been at all disposed to listen to proposals of that character.,. Tawhiao is under the domination of others, and merely gave expression to what had been previously agreed upon, namely, that the natives were anxious to maintain thoroughly friendly relations with the Europeans, but that the idea of a Maori King and kingdom could not be abandoned. The chiefs could not consent that Tawhiao should lps^ his , mana. . a European point of view tins may appear very foolish Assuredly, as time advances, the importance 'of • the native race must diminish. . Even if they hold their own in point of numbers, which is very doubtful, the natural increase of the Europeans and the influx of immigrants must indefinitely widen the discrepancy between the two races, which, to speak within bounds, is already, as ten to one. To some extent the natives comprehend, the^ situation, and many of them believe' that their race is doomed to extinction before the lapse of many years. But the effect of this knowledge and belief, and the fact that their lands, are rapidly passing away from them, has stirred up the strong desire to stay the destruction by drawing more closely the bonds of union between the tribes. To those who inaugurated it, and to those who have since supported it, the King movement means a good deal more than an empty name. It is an attempt, feeble, perhaps, and hurtful so far as it. has any vitality, to preserve the race and the land by setting up a native authority over native affairs — an authority entirely apart from and owning no allegiance to the Queen's Government. Tawhiao and his supporters seem to think that this Maori kingdom can exist amicably side by side with the Colonial Government without detriment to the latter and with great advantage to the native race. The idea is to let the Europeans govern themselves in their way, and to allow the same privilege to the Maoris. It is desired that Tawhiao shall not merely be King in what is known as the King courifry, but that his authority shall extend over the native race generally An essential part of this scheme is the conservation of Maori lands throughout the country. It is -difficult to say .how far there is concert amongst the natives at the present time with re-' gard to this national movement. That Tawhiao, or the principle which Tawhiao is supposed to ropresent, has an influence far beyond the borders of the King country is a fact which cannot, we think, be disputed. Naturally enough the Maori does not like the thought of being wiped out either by extinction or amalgamation. This feeling contributed largely to enhance the influence of Te Whiti, and is yet being appealed to by other fanatics or prophets. Even in the few and scattered native villages of the South Island, amongst men who have no personal interest whataver in the • land troubles of the North Island, the King has his adherents. It is the effort to preserve the race which excites their sympathy. When all this is fairly weighed it ceases to be a matter of surprise that the terms offered by Mr Bryce were refused. To show that the King movement has some vitality left in it, we may mention that shortly before Mr Bryce visited Tawhiao Mete Kingi received a letter from Tawhiao's amanuensis, stating that the King was going to visit all the tribes, the expression used being " ha omaoma te motu net " — literally, "to run all over the Island." When it became known that the proposals had been made Mete Kingi at once pronounced that they would be rejected. The intention of visiting the various tribes still holds good, the first journey being made to Te Kere, a prophet or fanatic somewhat of the Te Whiti stamp, residing at Upper Manawatu. Of Tawhiao'ssubsequent movements we know nothing, except that he has been invited to go to Banana in April next, when Kemp holds a monster meeting to which all the chiefs in the island, including those of Ngapuhi and Waikato, pro also invited. The object of this meeting has not been stated, but it is no doubt intended to strengthen and bind together the supporters of the King movement in their policy of isolation and stubborn opposition to the Government. Whatever may be Kemp's ulterior objects, he is now practically one of the King party. He has used his influence to secure more adherents, and this great meeting and the fact of the invitation to Tawhiao may be accepted as sure indications that the breach between him and the Government is as wide as ever. The result of Tawhiao's promised tour and of Kemp's great meeting may bo safely foretold. They will lead to nothing — nothing even of a temporary character worth talking about, and to expect that they will exercise any permanent useful influence on the destinies of the Maori race is absurd. All that such gatherings do is to impoverish and demoralise the tribes ; to reduce to the verge of starvation many of those who attend ; v.nd to put' money into the pockets of the storekeeper and the publican. Such meetings ought as far as possible to bo discountenanced by the wellwishers of tho Maori race. The decision of Tawhiao, viewed as comiiifr from the chiefs and the great body of his adherents, is very much to be regretted. Mr Bryce's last words to Tawhiao, that he took his departure more in sorrow than in anger, were, we are sure, the germ-

:ne expression of Ms feelings. Displeased no doubt he was at a letermination which might mean the postponement of great planß for the benefit of the colonists, and which might possibly lead in the future to grave difficulties ; but he well knew and deeply regretted a decision which left a large portion of the Maori race to drift on helplessly to destruction, unable " to" succour themselves, but half alive to the dangers which menaced.them, and quite unwilling to' adopt' the only course which presented any -hope for their safety and wellbeing.