ALEXANDRA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3535, 6 November 1882, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

November 6

Mr Bryce met Tawhiao at 11 o'clock on Saturday in the big house at Whatiwhatiboe, some 300 persons being present.

Tawhiao said the people were there to listen, not to speak. He would keep on his own side, but would be williug to learn from the Europeans. He had not, from the beginning, separated from the Queen. He loved the pakeha, but he must keep his mana.

Mr Bryce said this was the day for a decisive answer, which had not yet been given, to the proposals he had made. They were so good and liberal that he would be blamed through parts of the colony for making them. If they were accepted they must be so in plain words, and not in dark sayings ; if not accepted, they would be definitely withdrawn. He did not expect that he would ever think it right to make them again. He was to leave that afteruoon for Auckland, and should take his proposals with him. He was entitled to a plain answer.

Tawhiao said with much deliberation and quite solemnly :- -It is good; it is good; go back and think over what I have said. Don't take your proposals with you.

Mr Bryce said Tawhiao evidently expected him to turn his proposals over again in his mind. Tawhiao wished to keep his mana as King. He told Tawhiao and his tribe that if this was the end a dark day for Tawhiao and his people had dawned. The opportunity was passing away. He spoke in love to the people, and should leave in deep sorrow if his offers were rejected. If there was any man of influence there a friend of Tawhiao, let him stand up and urge the acceptance of the Government's proposals. If he went away thus he should leave much cause for sorrow behind.

Wahanui rose and deprecated haste, and objected to Tawhiao losing his mana — a thing itself sufficient for long consideration. The light was coming in upon them; they were not going back into darkness and isolation.

Mr Bryce pointed out that Wahanui looked on the main objection to the Government proposals as the loss of the mana of Tawhiao; but be (Mr Bryce) never had and never would acknowledge any other in New Zealand than the Queen. What was claimed by Tawhiao was only the fleeting shadow of an authority, and the shadow itself was passing away. If the King movement were to be removed let it be done properly, and not by the dejection of individuals. He had no faith to leave things to the morrow ; to-day only was ours. Wabanui saw the canoe drifting.

Wahanui arose and said the flowing of the tide was tegulated by God, but there were people who troubled the waters. There was no trouble in the beginning about the Queen's sovereignty. The trouble came afterwards by degrees Mr Bryce had said two sovereigns were not wanted in this island, but who sent for them?

Mr Bryce, replying, said Wahanui had left the main point of his second epeecb, which was inconsistent with bis first. If they were prepared to accept the Queen's authority let Tawhiao get up and say so, when the two races would be one people. Wahanui, speaking with some warmth, said Mr Bryce had told them that the flood of civilization could not be etopped, but he could stop it with God's help. They might take all that was offered, but they could not give up the King's mana. Mr Bryce, again replying, said no good could arise from discussing old affairs. Wahanui had said he was a strong man and could keep back the flood, but he should remember that he had friends drowning in the flood. He was attempting to stay the waters, but instead of doing so he rather let them in. If Wahanui understood the grave importance of the decision to the Maori people, well and good. He (Mr Bryce) would go away knowing he had done his duty to the colony and to the Maori people. He should never reproach himself with not having been more kind to them. The burden was now shifted fromhis shoulders to those of others. His last vrord to

Wahanui was that he was sorry, not angry; and his last word to Tawbiao was tnis, " Was there any other reply ? " After a pause Mr Bryce continued :—lt is right the whole people should hear Tawhiao'e reply, which is that the responsibility of accepting or declining the offers was thrown on Wahanui. and they were rejected.

Mr Bryce then rose and left the house and ground.