Polynesian., 1863-02-07
No. Al.

FOX PERSONAL resldence IN It's vicinity, and where
there was lately such interesting conversation
at grand fete, between Superintendent, Prime
Minister, and blanketed MaOris and maryellously
loyal speeches were made, things hardly be said
to be cOleur de Instance the following account
from Otaki. published short time ago in one of
the Wellington papers:
''lt is a confirmed and established fact, that
with the exception of few individuals, the whole
OF the native tribes within this province have de-
termined upon resisting the interference of the
Queens authority and law.
=" There Is no mistake about this and the poy-
ernment are fully aware of the fact.
" Upon the West Coast particularly, from Wan
ganui to Pakariki, the Queens authority is COM
pletey ignored.
RObberies and petty depredations against Eu-
ropeans are of frequent occurrence without redress
The appointment Of a resident magistrate for the
district Is perfect farce, inasmuch as the king
natives have determined not to recognize his au-
thorty as between themselves. or as between them
selves and Europeans -
Recently. when His Exceleney visited these ma
tlVes, the King natives who there are numerous
and strong, held aloof and would not attend the
meeting, although messengers had been sent for
them, and there was evident determination ON
their part not to listen to the Governor And only
a very short time ago it transpired, at a meeting
of the Wellington Provincial Council that a most
important track through the country could not be
of the natives. At Taranki. where the unfortu-
nate settlers to have arrived at the last point
OF endurance-thelr farms ruined, their stock stol-
en-and all the fruits of years of hardship and in
dustry, swept away in the common ruin, it is mel
ancholy to see to what pitch of imbecility the
power of Government has descended Ii would be
almost amusing, if it not too grave a subject
for mirth, to recount the results of the late costly
and sanguinary struggle. Where is the spoil and
stolen property for which restitution was to have
been rigidly enforced Not bullock has been
returned, hrthing's worth of property given
up-and as to the condign punishment that is to be
inflicted on the natives charged with the murders
during the war, the recent proclamation or notif-
cation relating to the subject is worse than foolish
nonsense it is insult to the character of British
law-for 1t is patent that many of the suspected
natives are not only known, but that frequent On
portunities have occurred of their being apprehend
ed. That a mOckery 1t is that document, bear
ing upon the highest offence recognizable by law.
and emanating from the government that is eharg-
ed with the due administration of that law should
merely state that the guilty persons may be sub
ject TO arrest In fact, the whole tenor of the no.
uicaton was an intimation to the natives concern
ed to keep out of the way Then as to the Waita
ra land, out of which all the late troubles sprano
and in support of the right to which SO much treas
ure has been lavlshed, and so much blood poured
out, we learn from late accounts that several Wal
n
nOunced their intention of coming to Ike up their
quarters in the Waitara district, and thus oecunv
1t In the name of the Maori King In the Waika-
to district there is sullen silence, now and then
broken by occasional outrages. and although the
greatest efforts have been made to coneiliate the
natives OF these important tribes, and government
officers especially selected for their peculiar abiitv
for dealing with natives, have been established
amongst them, their influence has hitherto been of
the slightest possible character. Sections of the
tribes, and some of the least influential of the chiefs
may have exhibited an inclination to listen To the
counsels of the Governor, and to give in adhesion
to his plans, but the most influential and most
powerful chiefs kept aloof-they will neither see
the Governor nor his shadow Mr. Fox There ia
deep and settled suspicion fixed in the minds of
the natives, suspicion not only of the honor of
the government, but of its power, and they accent
concessions, firmly believing they have extorted
them. We believe it just possible that so long as
large military force is kept in the colony, the
native leaders will not take the initiative in hos
tllIues, but the Maori can wait, and in the mean
time will not object to be paid for doing so and
keeping quiet. By dint of u bribe here and a con-
cession there, Sir George Grey may keep down for
time the turbulent spirits, but what sort of
guarantee for the future does this hold QUIT
1t is pretty clear that if the accounts as to the
paclhcatiOn of the country believed in England
an endeavOr will be made to withdraw the troops.
AQr
the credulous feeling of security as to the future
The present aspect of affairs reminds US very much
of the circumstances antecedent to the great rebel
lion In India. There was the same pandering To
native preJudlces, the same irresoute exercise of
authority, and the same concessions granted when
concession could only be construed into fear. When
prior to the grand catastrophe, ominous events
were taking place in various parts of the Empire
all tending towards some momentous crisis, thew
were similarly CLOSED over or IGNORED and amid.
all this, the Government organs similarly full
of assurances OF safety, and blinded were the
authorities, that the mutIny came upon them like n
clap of thunder finding them unprepared, and the
fate of the Empire trembling in the balance True
it is. that British might and British courage tri
umphed-as British might and British courage
would do IN New Zealand. but at what cost was
that victory achieved
1t may yet not be too late. Let the Government
cast to the winds the entangements of unskiIled
diplomacy; either the Queen has or has not the
right 10 govern the native inhabitants If the
Maores are to be so governed, let law and order.
backed by the stern determination of powerful in,
sistance be brought to bear upon them-extend to
them the utmost protection of British law. but LET
them be as equally rendered amenabe to its penal
ties, and hesitate not to say that this done the
colony would no longer be torn with the struggles
of antagOnistic races-the Maories would learn to
respect that authority which was as prompt to
punish as to protect, and casting aside their pup
pet king, and tearing to shreds their mimic ham
ners, would enrol themselves under the standard of
the Queen whose supremacy they ought to be made
to acknowledge. ge.-OtagO Daily Times.
81 ~a late public meeting the following
'' dry ~ - was given (the author of which cot
Z" buttered" when he reached hOme) The press,
the pulpit and petticoats-the three ruling powers
of the day; the first spreads knowledge the