The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-02-28
The Maoris In New Zealand.

We copy the following from the Auckland
Herald, of a late date.
The overcoming difficulty ofthe colony-the
reconciling justice to the Maoris with the advance
Of civilization and the progress of settlement-has
cropped up once more, and what is to be the re-
suit it is impossible to say. The Government
has, in the exercise of an undoubted right, &C.
cupied the Waimate Plains, confscated as a PEN
atty for the last war. That it has slept upon it's
rights is quite true, and whether wisely is open
to grave questions, but it has never waived them.
1t is now asserting them with such a force as it
expects will be sufficient to prevent resistance, and
secure the peaceful prosecution of the construc-
ton of roads and such other works as are the nee
essary antecedents TO the sale and occupation of
the Plains. The colony has no desire for a
Maori war-it knows the inevitable suffering and
cOst-but 1t undetermined to assert its rights, and
as little Extensively as may be consistent with the
accomplishment of it's objects. That this NAV
lead to a conflict is possible, but should SO serious
a result ensue neither the colony nor the Govern
ment will be responsible. The taunt was at one
time thrown at the colOnists that they were not
averse to native wars, which entailed an Imperial
expenditure by which they benefited. The calum-
ny was believed by those only whose aptitude for
crediting the worst rendered them capable of cred
iting anything. The policy of confscation was
one OF admonition as well as a just one. 1t in
Dictated to the Maoris the penalty awaiting rebel
lion, and it was hoped would operate as a deter
rent, anu SO preserve peace between the Wnlte
settlers and the natives. There can be no doubt
that the colony is weary of the obstacles which
the Maoris interpose to the settlement and pro-
gress of the Northern Island, and strongly anita
gOnistic to the selfshness which induces the
Maoris to prevent the occupation of lands of
which they make no use-wilderness obstructive
of national prosperity and advancement. But far
stronger than this is the overwhelming public
opinion which insists that under no circumstances
must force be applied to the solution of the diff
Guilty, no violence be used for the attainment of
any ends, however desirable. That and no other,
Is the clear position assumed by the colony; and.
whilst it must be admitted that the pursuance of
right establishes no claim to high approval, we
are entitled to add that it is not in every other
dependency of the Empire, or IN every other
country, that a similarly high standard of public
probity with regard to native races has either
been accepted or enforced. Not in this way has
the United States dealt with its native races.
There had been no war in Zululand had it pre-
vailed. 1t is no easy task for an energetic and
aspiring colony, sensible of a great future and
eager for the rapid progress of prosperity and ad-
vancement, to determine to sacrifice its interests
to the right, and await with patience and calm
ness the arrival of a peaceful opportunity for the
removal of difficulties which ought not to exist,
and whose continuance might well irritate it.