during buchanan's editorship the paper was distinguished by its relatively liberal, if paternalistic, attitude towards the black and indian populations of the colony. he remained a committed supporter of the policies of theophilus shepstone, the colony's secretary of native affairs. as shepstone's locations policy is often seen as a forerunner of apartheid, this has led some commentators to regard buchanan as something of a reactionary. however, this fails to take into account that for liberals like the editor the locations policy was seen as the only way to ensure that the land rights of tribal people, as well as their customary lifestyle, were protected. certainly, until the langalibalele rebellion of 1873, a committed liberal like bishop john william colenso had no problem in supporting shepstone and his policy. it is therefore not surprising to find that the "witness" also supported colenso during the upheavals caused by the bishop's advanced religious views.