The Waikato Times. UNKNWON

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 30 July 1872, Page 2

The Waikato Times. UNKNWON

TUESDAY,, JULY 30f 1872: Lv our htsts issue we published a telegram received from our Alexandra correspondent to the effect that Rewi and the- Ngatiraaniapotog had joined Te- Koofci. A report that this was the case was current in the district for some days previous to- our giving insert km to> the rumour. It is di flic alt to understand how this can be true-. Te- Kooti is- socially nothing, and the addition to being one of the most powerful tribes, (numerically speaking)* in New Zealand, are of the blood royal. ; We aw not inclined however to totally disbelieve the statement , The solution of the question which suggests itself to us is, that for-the- sake-of gaining a political advantage the tribe* has made ouU" demonstration of attaching themselves to. Te Kooti, or it would perhaps be- more correct to say have allowed Te Kooti to' apparently attach himself to them. It must not be forgotten that the Maori is quite our equal in diplomatic cunning. He is equally aware with ourselves that any commotion amongst the natives at the present time will be built upon by the opponents of the Ministry for the purpose of shaking them in their position. The demands made upon the Defence Minister during his sojourn in the Waikato were of such a character that they of course met with a Hat refusal. This movement is inaugurated, we have little tloubt, with the hope-that by their pretending to show their teeth, he will be induced to partially, yield', to their unreasonable requests. We- should be sorry to think that any European for the sake of serving his political ends,, has; suggested this action to but if this were

tyie case it would not bo without a parallel in the history of this colony. The curse of this country for years has, been the using* by each party in succession., of the lt .Native eolty," either to strengthen their own position" or to dislodge their opponents ft ©m the Mini, sterial benches. The native war has been handled as a politicaFagent r&ther than with any earnest desire to quell disturbances. All, sorts of sensational paragraplis will doubtless appear iu the columns of some of our contemporaries, many of whom, are unfortunately so ready to- seize upon anything sensational that they will not give themselves tiimeto consider : how much truth is contained, in the statement, j or even whether it is founded - on any - Hard at j all. These papers have done an.- immense deal of harm. The wi iters, in them being- at j a distance,. do- not know- that, theis- effusions j are-translated to the natives-,, who are as; well j aware of everything that appears in the press i referring to them as their pakeha. fellow sub- . jects. \ j That the natives as a body will ever again enter into open hostilities is a thought that has long passed from the minds of those whoare acquainted with their opinions and habits. They are aware that we can no< longer afford to play at fighting them, and if they are i not, we cau assure- them, that if the ; colonist* are again forced to take up arms j they wilt not be inelined to put them down | till they have effectually secured permanent peace by rendering it physically impossible for the natives to again disturb them in their peaceful occupation. Public opinion will never allow them to- be played with again, if we ace compelled to fight r the tribe or tribes who force the quarrel upon us may rest assured that their days as tribe&are numbered. VVe have tried every conciliatory means in our power to. induce the natives in their as well a&in our own interests to live in peace. If they will not do so, the responsibility of the result will rest upon, their own shoulders. It' this is clearly explained to them by some of their quasi-fi iends, the " Pakeha-Maori " they will perhaps confer the first benefit they have ever clout; on the land of their - adoption.