§ MR. P. J. SMYTHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If he is in a position to make a communication to the House respecting the state of the relations between the settlers and the Maories in the northern island of New Zealand; and, if it is true that preparations are being made to "settle at once and for ever the native difficulty" in accordance with the ideas of these settlers?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, I have heard nothing from Sir Hercules Robinson on this subject, and should, therefore, infer that the New Zealand Government do not consider there is anything very serious in the state of affairs; and as the latest news from New Zealand with regard to it which has appeared in the Press is six weeks old, I should hope that any fears of a disturbance which may have existed have by this time subsided.