THE MAORI KING MOVEMENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1341, 24 June 1859, Page 3

THE MAORI KING MOVEMENT.

We extract the following article from thel'ara* naki Herald, which,.n'c.'urc,- , is •from tlic pen ot ii gentleman better informed on-such topics than any other in Turiuiiiki.] ' ' During the present wceklaii{C meetings bare been, held by the different tribe': in the immediate vicinity of the settlement to reeeiveWiremu Tako the well known chief, -and oow active and influential pan can of the rebel Maori Kiug Aloyeiueut. I''or soverul weeks

past it bas beeu rumoured that the Ngatiruanui and Tar&naki tribes had declared for Potatua

though it hid been supposed that the latter tribe did not favour the project, but the arrival of W. Tako amongst them bas removed any doubts that may have lingered on tlieir minds, and he exultingly boasts that they are now to a man for the Maori King. At Wanganpi we are told that the natives are for the present loyal, but boiii at Wellington and Ahuriri.and indeed along the whole of the East coast from Cape Palliscr to Auckland, there are comparatively few who have not joined the league. Next ( , week W. Tako goes to Waitara, where we know he will be we'll received by the majority of the Natives, and from thence, we hear, he journies to Mokau and Kawhia, visiting Ihaia and Nikorima en route." The movement has therefore, it will be perceived, already extended over the greater portion of the northern island, and although the powerful trib* of the Ngapuhi, the upper Waikato and other notbern tribes have hitherto kept aloof, the same causes are still at work which.have induced so many to join the standard' of Potatau, and it would appear to require but a few men with the tact and ability of W. Tako to make converts of nearly every native in the island. Much has been written and said-on the subject of the present movement, and many have been the attempts to discover the causes which have led to it, and many the remedies suggested for its cure, but hitherto to little or no purpose, and the broad and startling fact remains that an extensive and well organised movement is taking place amongst the inaories to support a. King of their own, chosen from among themi selves, whilst they are bound by solemn Treaty to bear true allegiance to the sovereignity to the Queen. • But by far the most important circumstances in connection with this election of a King is the significant fact that the Maori can combine for a common object—a thing hitherto deemed impossible—and when we reflect how much of bis nature still remains, how readily he returns to bis old customs and superstitions, how shallow and superficial is the material advancement he has made in civilisation, it must be felt that the present movement is fraught with the most serious consequences. In the circumstances, too, that Potatua has commenced his reign undera government which has shewn an anxious solicitude for the moral and physical welfare of the Native, it will be seen how imminently the peaceful relations of the tworacee are jeopardised. Jealousy of the increasing powerof the white man has no doubt been one motive which has urged him to the step he has taken, and his ignorance of the good tendency of that power may have tempted him to oppose it. But it is a protective measure adopted by the Maori with the determination to prevent, if possible, the advance of the white man that the movement must be cousidered. The position too of the principal supporters of it is somewhat singular. No maori has experienced more attention arid consideration from the government than Potatau, (more familiarly known α-i Te Wherowhero). He is well aware of the innumerable advantages which the presence of the white man has conferred upon his race ; he has hitherto,professed to be well disposed towards and in cordial alliance with the government. It may be true that he is still incapable of lending himself to what might be considered an extreme step towards us, but he is an old man and in the natural; course of events must soon disappear from the scene. And what we ask would be our position if some tur bulent and disaffeetive chief, as may probably - be the case, were to succeed him? W. Tako, again, has been "noted for: years past for his' observance of our .'habits and customs. Yet he now openly boasts that he will put a a stop to our progress by. preventing the sale of land, and cunningly enough quotes some act in reference to land at Wellington reserved for Native uses, as a justification of his present conduct, though he well knows the proper quarter to apply to for redress if any ground of complaint exists. The success which has attended W. Tako's progress from Wellington to this place has beyond doubt been increased by the allegation that the reserves in question arc not managed with the approval of the Native and that they derive no pecuniary benefit from them. The complaint has an air of truth about it, because it is openly made, and we know that several natives hitherto favourable to us have been turned by the adroit manner in which the matter is mude to tell against the government. It is the fashion with apologists to treat the King league as a harmless device of the moment, calling for no interference; but experience shows that it is by far too formidable and menacing to be viewed with indifference or unconcern, and it is inconceivable upon what plea an act the consequence of which must be apparent to every one should not already have received a check. We are not inclined to.impute blame to any one for the untoward position which a large section of the native population now assume towards us. It is the result of many influences, but the neglect of the government to buy land when opportunity offered was a. manifest injustice to both races and by retarding colonisation has led to the present complication of affairs. But whatever the consequences the movement must be boldly met. The very tendency of it, indeed, will compel the govern to do so. The Natives must be told that the stop they are taking ia one opposed alike to the Queen's authority and the special footing of the two laces. It is reasonable to expect the government to act towards Natives with the undisgnise they exhibit towards us in the , matter. Correct without further delay any impression they may cherish' of enjoying immunity for their present misconduct. Call rebellion by its right name, and warn all concerned of the ' consequences that sooner or latter.alw.aysresult. The government, in fact, add to the difficulty by their silence, whereas a few words of friend- . ly caution might keep'many natives true to their allegiance, and would diffuse throughout the colony a general confidence in the ultimate prevalence of law and order. ' ■