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CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editor of the Port Denison Times.
SIR:—it was my intention upon first reading "Tasmania's" notice to my first letter upon the native question, which you did me the favour to publish, to let his reply pass unnoticed, as it was not written in that spirit in which I would desire to discuss the question; and having contented himself with uttering "indignant" acclamation, using offensive personalities, and surmising foolish conclusions, instead of supplying facts to contradict what I stated. However, I have thought it better to answer so much of his letter as requires any answer; hoping that if he should again write upon so important a question, he will address himself to it, and not trouble himself about who the writer may be.
"Tasmania" accuses me of slandering the adventurous men who gained me my security. In reply, I deny that the men of whom I wrote have in any way secured me my danger, calling forth a desire for revenge in the heart of the natives who are left alive.
"Tasmania" is, I believe, labouring under a delusion, when he thinks that "death is the only way to control the savage;" for the experience of such men as Bishop Patteson, who had so much to do with the uncivilised natives of the South Sea Islands, and also the Revs. Law, Patten and Turner, is that the savages are to be ruled better by kindness, confidence, honest and fair dealing, than when force and power are used.
"Tasmania" asks me "if I can expect men to nicely measure justice when smarting under the dishonour of their wives, and children, &c." I would answer that by another question. If justice is not to be expected from the hands of the civilised white, how can justice or anything like it be expected from the untutored savage, when passions have been raised by real or fancied injury?"
Your correspondent further remarks "that I might wish to missionaryize them and alludes to what he appears to consider the effect of such operation in New Zealand. I may state in reply that it would give me great pleasure to hear of such work being carried on here as it is at present being done in other parts of this island. And I believe that when the missionary is the pioneer instead of the squatter men will then be able to sleep safely when "camping out."
As to the remark that he makes about the present New Zealand war, surely he does not condemn instruction because it makes men more capable of resisting what they believe to be wrong. He is certainly wrong if he supposes the present unhappy war in New Zealand arises from the natives having been instructed. My humble opinion is that it is rather because they have not been instructed or missionaryized enough.
"Tasmania" is evidently labouring under the idea that I was a "new chum," and that I had never been up-country, and that my information was gathered from "loafers" about the pubs of Bowen, but I am happy in being able to inform him that I am no "new chum," having spent thirty years in the wilds of Australia. And I could tell him about as black a deed done by and to the natives on the other side of the island as on this. Moreover my information was picked up while travelling in the bush amongst the blacks; so that "Tasmania" will see that I have been into the bush. And I can say respecting the "Northerners" that they are no worse than the "Southerners," for what the latter have done the former are now doing.
I am, &c., AUSTRALIA