THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1514, 16 April 1861, Page 2

THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

We have more than once expressed an intention of giving our readers a full account of the labours of the Waikato Committee which, sat during the late Session ' of the General Assembly, and we gladly avail ourselves of the lull which is likely to take place in the intelligence from Taranaki, to fulfil that intention. The name of the Committee in question might lead those who hear it to suppose that its investigations were of a mere local character. It was not so however. For though the enquiry was instituted in reference to a particular experiment tried in the Waikato district, it extended in fact to the whole question ofthe regulation df our relations with the natives, and the administration of what are termed " native affairs" among the race itself. The result of the investigation was to throw great light on nature, character, and origin, bf the " King movement," — to expose thoroughly the evils of the divided responsibility and conflict of authority which have for several years past distinguished the departments of Government engaged in the administration of native affairs — and will, we hope, be found to have pointed out the means of avoiding such evils for the future, and of placing the government of the natives on a basis more satisfactory to tlicmselvcs and beneficial to both races.

Tho subjoct will necessarily extend to several articles ; and we shall therefore set apart the space necessary for the purpose in this and consecutive numbers, without intruding upon that usually occupied by our " leaders." The editor has been spared tho labour of analyzing the Report and Evidence himself; a member of the late House of Representatives and of the Waikato Committee having undertaken tho task. The colony has been so long kept in the dark on the subject of the administration of native affairs., that the narrative cannot but prove interesting to all. If one result of enlightening the public on the subject, should be that at which ,the Committee arrived, viz., the conviction "that thereMs mystery in native affairs," that there is no special secret, no monopoly of wisdom on the subject, but that the same common sense rules, and the same appeal to the interests, passions, and feelings of humanity as guide -wise governments in other matters, suffice also for these, a great end will be gained,

and the time bestowed on the study of the subject be most beneficially eraployed. ." .