TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1752, 12 August 1862, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The following resolutions were both carried unanimously on the 23rd July.

"That this House should be informed, so far as may be consistent with any present or prospective Military arrangements, what measures are proposed to be adopted towards the Taranaki and Ngatiruanui tribesj with reference to the murder of unarmed British European subjects, and also with reference to the destruction of the homesteads and plunder of the property of the inhabitants of the Province of Taranaki."

"That this House should be informed, as far as may be consistent with any present or prospective Military arrangements, what measures are proposed to he adnpted towards enabling the owners of properly in the Tataraimaka Block in the Province of Taranaki, to return to their homes from which they are still debarred by the unsatisfactory nature of the relations arising between the Government and her Majesty's Native subjects residing to the southward in that Province."

The information which Mr. Fox had given the night before, and which he referred to as the only answer he could give was as follows —

"I now approach the more painful part of ray subject, I mean that which relates to the con dition of Taranaki. This House will give me credit, when I express the deep sympathy which is felt by His Excellency and his ministers for all who have suffered loss or injury by the late unhappy war in that province Gladly will we reinstate it not only in its pvistine prosperity, but make it ten times what it was before. But in approaching practical action in the matter, we must bear in mind, that we have not only the interests of Tatanaki to consider but those of all the European colonists in the island as well, and equally with theirs the interests of all that Urge majority of the Natives who have not been engaged in hostilities against us. As regards this part of the subject and the occupation of the district of Talaruimaka by the hostile natives these matters have a military aspect and considerations which must be left to His Excellency alone. Ido not pretend to know His Excellency's views on the subject, and if I did I should consider it most improper to divulge them in this place. But Ido feel bound to disclaim the smallest particle of responsibility, either on the part of His Excellency or of his Ministers in refeience to the condition of Taranaki. As it is. so we found it. We are not responsible for its calamities. And as regards that peculiarly distressing pomt — the occupation ofTataraimaka in particular, we cannot be blamed. I beg to refer to the published papers on this point. It will be seen that at the termination of hostilities the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki's had entirely retired from that district, and gone some 40, some 80 miles south of Taranaki. At this juncture General Cameron asked Governor Browne whether he should locate a force at Tataraimaka, and had he done so the natives would never have been able to intrude there. Governor Browne, in a despatch of three lines, declined the offer, and the natives gradually— but long before we took office — crept back and took possession. We may refer to various authorities ; to Governor Browne. General Cameron, Mr. Whittaker, to show that any attempt to invade the country of these tribes could be attended with no advantage, and would in all probability draw on a general war. Now this the Ministry were not prapared to advise. Their advice to the Governor in reference to the Taranaki question they have given in plain, distinct, and, I think, manly terms ; it is in print, and before the House. But it is for His Excellency to choose his own time, and act for himself, in reference to a matter involving almost exclusively military considerations."

The following is au extrect from a memoz andum by Ministers, recording their advice to Sir George Grey, on the course to be pursued towards Tarauaki. Its manliness has been admitted by all sides of the House.

The Ngatiruanni and Taranaki Natives remain in a state of passive insurrectionary sullenness ; — refuse permission to the terms proposed — retain possession of large quantities of the settlers stock carried off during the war— have stopped the mail though carried by natives — and threaten death to all Europeans who venture beyond certain lines, so that ro one dare travel beyond a few miles from the Town of New Plymouth on the one side, or Wanganui on the other. The Tataraimaka block, puichased from the Natives, and which has been parcelled out into thriving farms, foi the most part under cultivation, may now be said to be practically in the posession of the insurgents. The homesteads of the settlers, their fences and cultivations, have been destroyed : and.no settler will incur the iisk of going on his own land. In fact, the natives boast that they hold the land by right of conquest. This stale of things cannot, in the opinion of Miuisters, be suffered to continue. "As regards the policy to be pursued in reference to the settlement of Taranaki several courses are open : —

1. Matters may be left as they are ; in which case the settlement will dwindle away. Settlers will abandon it, particularly with the temptation of neighbouring gold fields presented to them. It will become practically a military post, but to be maintained at heavy cost, with no defi< ite object; for the restoration of the settlement under such circumstances would be hopeless. 2. It may be abandoned altogether : — a suggestion which would not, it is imagined, be for a moment entertained. In fact to abandon it would involve a loss of prestige dangerous to the colony generally.

3. Vigorous measures may be taken to establish our position ; and this appears to Ministers the true policy. If there must be a war, it is better far that it should be at Tarauaki than elsewhere. For whatever mischief coald be inflicted on British settlements by a state of war, has been done there. The penalties of war have been already paid. Besides ibis the case of the Ngatiruanui and Tatanaki Natives is the one which presents fewest grounds of sympathy with other Natives, they engaged in the quarrel without any provocation, and were guilty of

gross outrages. Their present aitkuile is oue of such open hostility, as in the eyes of weli affpeted Natives themselves would not merely justify, but demand on our part active measures against them, and retribution for the wrongs done. Arlilerl to tins, if operations were carried on with a view tc» open up and establish military communication by roads between Taranaki and Wanganui, such operations would be attended with some facilities, and in the end with great patent advantages. " Ministers «re of opinion (so far as they can rresume to offer an opinion involving military considerations) that firm and decisive action should be tiken in this direction. They believe the effect would be in no lon<? space of time t<» bring the Ngiitirnnnuis and Taranakis into sub mission. The settlement of Taranaki might then, in the end, be re-established on a safer basis, and be enabled to recover and extend itself

" It is not improbable that hostile operations in the Taranaki country would draw towaids it some portion of the Natives of other districts. Such a possible result would not, in the opinion of Ministers, be a sufficient reason against the couise of action which they recommend. " The time and manner of commencing such operations would require distinct consideration. The first object appears to be, as far as possible to win back the allegiance, of the Native people, and to place the settlements in an effective position of defence. Ministers do not apprehend any aggressive movements on the part of the i Natives as likely to result from the couise which they recommend, except against the settlements of New Plymouth and Wanganui. '• There appears to Ministers no inconsistency in dealing with the main body of the Natives, the Waikato in particular, with a gentle and even friendly hand, and endeavouring by all legitimate means to recall and attach them to us ; and at the same time assuming astern and decisive attitude towaids the Ng.itiruanuis and Taranakis with a view to compel from them material guarantees for their future good behaviour. Mr. Fitzgerald's ResolutionsThe resolutions introduced by Mr. Fitzgerald on the 6th inst., were as follows, 1. That in the adoption of any policy or the passing of any laws affecting the Native race this House will keep before it as its highest object, the entire amalgamation of all Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand into one united people. 2. That this House will assent to no laws which do not recognise the light of all Her Majesty's subjects of whatever race within this Colony, to a full and equal enjoyment of civil and political privileges. 3. That a recognition of the foregoing principle will necessitate the personal aid of one or more Native Chiefs in the administration of the Government of the Colony ; the presence of members of the Maori Nobiiity in the Legislative Council and a fair representation in this House, of a race which constitutes oue thiid of the population of the Colony.

4. That the same principle ought to be respected in the constitution and jurisdiction of all Legislative bodies subordinate to the General Assembly, and of all Courts of law within this Colony.

5. That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor, praying that his Excellency will be pleased to cause such steps to be taken, as he may be advised will bring the policy above indicated into operation wilh the least practicable delay.

The third resolution having been rejected by 20 to 17, Mr. Fitzgerald withdrew the fourth and fifth.

The New Ministry's Resolutions be Res-

ponsibiiity on Native Affairs. The following resolutions will be moved by Mr. Domett on the 19th instant "That in the opinion of this House. The Relations between His Excellency the Governor and His Responsible Advisers should rest upon the following basis: — 1. That Ministers should in conformity with the Royal Instructions advise the Governor in Native affairs (as well as in Colonial affairs) whenever His Excellency desires to obtain such advice and should also tender advice on all occasions of importance when they deem it their duly in the interests of the Colony to do so. 2. That Ministers should at His Excellency's request undertake the Administration of Native aifairs, reserving to His Excellency the decision in all matters of Native Policy. 3. That, as the decision in ail matters of Native Policy is with His Excellency, the advice of Ministers shall not be held to bind the Colony to any liability past or future in connection with Native" affahs beyond the amount authorised or to be authorised by the House of Representatives."

The words italicised in the 2nd Resolution, have been added since the introduction of the resolutions on the Notice Paper.

THE STEAM SERVICE. The two first resolutions of the following interim report on the Panama route have been adopted by the House, the third is postponed uutii after the Budget is brought forward. " Your Committee having taken into con. sideration that part of the subject committed to them which refers to communication with the United Kingdom, and to the Ocean Postal Service have agreed to the following resolutions, which they recommend for adoption by the House: — 1. That, in the opinion of this Committee, the establishment of regular monthly steam communication between New Zealand and the United Kingdom via Panama is calculated to confer very great benefits upon this Colony. 2 That, considering the probable expense of such an undertaking, it is desirable that the service should be so constructed as to confer advantage upon, and obtain the support of the neighbouring colonies. 3. That this Committee recommends the appropriation of a sum not exceeding £30,000 per annum, from Ist January, 1864, for five years, as a contribution towards the Colonial portion of a subsidy for such service. 1 ' The following resolutions have also been submitted to the House on the recommendation of the Select Committee, relative to the much vexed question of the local steam service. Your Committee beg to report the following resolutions : —

Resolved, — That the requirements of the colony will not be fully satisfied with less than three lines of Inteicolonial Steam Service, viz — between Melbourne aod the South, between Auckland and Sydney, and between Cook's Strait and Sydney respectively. That the Steam Service referred to in the foregoing resolution of the Committee be undertaken by the General Government, and be borne oo the General Estimates.

That communications should be maintained between the principal Provinces of tho Colony, four times a montln and between the Provinces twice a month, provided that tbe whole expense of such Interprovincial Service do not exceed £20,000 per annum."