The power of resistance
which the Maoris manifested in warfare, kept anxiety simmering at Downing
Street. 'In that connection,' Sir George said, 'Earl Grey, as Colonial
Secretary, consulted the Duke of Wellington on the best policy for
securing the durable settlement of the Maoris. The Duke, I learned from
Earl Grey himself, advised the making of roads which would knit New
Zealand, and employ the natives. Just after Earl Grey had seen the Duke,
he had despatches from me, in which I outlined, in almost as many words,
what I had been doing.'
The coincidence struck Sir George, and it gratified him to have the Duke
in agreement. He was supported by another eminent soldier, when, at a
London dinner party, being asked to give his opinion of the conduct of
the Crimean War, he answered, 'I should have attacked upon the St.
Petersburg side, where you could really get at Russia, instead of on the
Crimean side, with its strong forts, its distance from the centre of the
empire, and a food supply confined to that carried by the ships.'
In New Zealand he had no difficulty in getting Maori labour, since it was
fairly paid, and excellent trunk roads were the result. Rauparaha took
the innovation with a seeming unconcern, meant to hide an adverse
feeling, which Rangihaeta, however, frankly expressed.
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