CHAP. IX.] FOR THE NATIVES? 139 



There are already reasons for fearing an approach- 

 ing conflict between the natives and the colonists, if 

 the latter continue to be placed upon land belonging 

 to the former, and for the peaceful and lawful acqui- 

 sition of which no attempt even has been made. 

 Up to the present time the energies of the New 

 Zealanders to defend their rights have not been 

 roused, and they have merely protested against the 

 injustice ; but, if left unprotected, the multitudes of 

 Europeans pouring into their country will not in- 

 timidate them they will rather fill them with 

 suspicion, stimulate them to exertion, and convert 

 them into open foes. And let not such an enemy 

 be despised : the New Zealander is no coward ; he 

 can live in his impenetrable forests, where no Euro- 

 pean can follow him ; he can cut off all chance of 

 colonization, especially if necessity teaches the tribes 

 to forget their own dissensions and to be strong by 

 union. 



And yet, of all the nations of the Polynesian 

 race, the New Zealanders show the readiest dispo- 

 sition for assuming in a high degree that civilization 

 which must be the link to connect them with the 

 European colonists, and ultimately to amalgamate 

 them. 



This disposition is especially the result of the 

 nature of their country. If in the islands situated 

 between the tropics Nature has been profuse in her 

 gifts, yielding spontaneously, or with little exer- 

 tion on the part of man, all the necessaries of life, 



