MR CARROLL UP NORTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 423, 23 May 1902, Page 4

MR CARROLL UP NORTH.

HISTORIC GATHERING!. MAHUTA QUITE FRIENDLY. | Special to Times. ! Auckland, last night. During the past two days Mr Carroll has been attending the long looked for , conference with the Kingite Natives. The two main subjects were the adoption of Native land legislation of last session, and determining on important tribal boundary of King Mahuta and his large following. With Henare Kaibau, whose constituents are among the number the Minister has a difficult task to reconcile the Waikato Natives so long isolated. N otwithstanding the inclement weatner several thousand Natives, and many prominent Europeans acquainted with Native affairs, attended the great gathering. The Maoris’ representatives were present from Taupo, Waikato, Kawhia, Rotorua, and other districts. A very large. area of Native land is involved. The Minister received a most hospitable welcome. The first speaker to welcome Mr Carroll was Tupu Tai Ngakau, the Waikato Premier, and son of the famous William Thompson, “ King Maker.” Next was Tuata, a near relation of Potatau, the first Maori king. After the usual ceremonies Mr Carroll, without further preamble, spoke straightly on the question of land laws. There was, he said, no reason why they should delay any longer to fall into line with other tribes. lt Let us,” said Timi Kaia, as he paced up and down, with dignified pauses between his sentences, “ act as one people for the future. Every tribe has had its aspirations. Each tribe must accept the best it can get. The people will be divided as long as the paddlers in the bow of the canoe 'fail to keep time with those in the stern.” The Minister went on to remind the people of King Potatau’s last words to them to live in love and amity with all.

Ho reminded them also of his invitation to Mahuta some time ago to come to Wellington. “Your child,” he said (referring to Tawhiao, Mahuta’s father), “ was°taken away b.y you before the good work was completed. I have warned you all not to aspire after the unobtainable. You must accept the altered circumstances ; take the new law, do the best you can to help the people. Leave Mahuta to me. It will be for me to scold him in a manner becoming bis rank as to these disputed boundaries. As to the new land laws let us make the best of the proposed experiment—give it a trial. Government arc determined that these laws shall have a fair trial. As a proof of the Government’s earnestness they have stopped the purchase of Native lands. The sooner Maori people get above high watermark the hotter. If they remain in their present state the incoming tide will wash them away. The feeling of Europeans at present is in the direction of taking the administration of lands out of your hands, for the reason that you do not put them to proper use. There is to bo nothing complusory in the handing over of your lands to the Council to deal with. It is for each person to decide.” Mr Carroll, in concluding, urged the pooplo to be neighborly and kind to each other, ana cling fast to religion. This was the first time there had been any legislation carrying out the principles of the. treaty of Wailangi, and giving the Maoris some measure of self government. In reply Henare Kaihau, M.R.R., the mouth-piece of Mahuta and the Ivingites party, after welcoming Mr Carroll in appropriate terms, said : “ The Maoris’ eyes are all directed to Mr Ctrroll, and on him all hopes are rested. We’re all much gratified at his request that Mahuta should be left in his (the Minister’s) hands. Mr Carroll need not have any doubts about the Waikato accepting the Council. Without the Waikato’s assistance the new legislation would fail. Waikato must be represented and consulted in everything.” Here Kaihau used a characteristic Maori expression, saying, "you must look after the body of the wlieke (the octopus). The body is the Waikato. Never mind the feelers of the fish—they are of lesser importance.” Referring to the disputed boundary between the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto (King Country) lands, ho said the people of Waikato should bo consulted. All the Waikato tribes were behind him. He as well as Mr Carroll had worked for these Councils. They had been set up under the inana of the late Queen, and he would do his best to see the law carried out. King Mahuta was present on Tuesday with his people, but took no part in the discussion. Yesterday Mr Carrol), accompanied by an official of the Native Department, attended at Waihi, Mahuta’s settlement. Mahuta himself was the first speaker. - He welcomed the Native Minister, in a brief, felicitous speech. He urged Mr Carroll not to be impatient to hurry this business through. Their troubles were for Mr Carroll, whom he saluted as his chief and lord, to settle. Mr Carroll spoke at some length, again advising the Waikatos to fall in with the new order of things. The well-to-do Maoris might be left to work out thenown salvation, but Jit was for those in authority to look after the poor landless people. He emphasised the important provision of the new Act for the individualising of land, giving each person his own piece of.;land to make the best use of. Mr Carroll said it were well that ho and Mahuta should build a shelter for the people, alluding to the putting of the new land legislation into force. Mahuta, in reply, said that he agreed to Mr Carroll’s proposal to jointly build a shelter for the race. He made no allusion to the disputed boundaries.

Henare Kaihau said all was now consummated. Nothing remained but for Mr Carroll and Mahuta to say what was to be done. . It was for the Maoris to make a trial of the new Act. As to the disputed southern boundary of Waikato the people assembled here whose lands were affected should settle that question. The Maoris were all rejoiced at Mr Carroll’s offer to confer an appropriate position for Mahuta, befitting his rank. Although the Maoris wore out-numbered by Europeans, they still should have consideration, and should be recognised by the King of England. He urged that the Waikato and King Country tribes and Tauranga and Hauraki should all be placed in one district, because they had a common ancestry and came in the same canoe. Mahuta was entitled to be recognised as their head. He considered the Waikatos’ southern boundary should begin at White Cliffs, Taranaki, and run right across the island to Tauranga. There was a majority of three thousand votes in favor of this when the poll was taken. In the afternoon, Mr Carroll proceeded to Otorohanga to confer with the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, more especially with reference to the boundary question. Among the many chiefs from all parts

present was the veteran tattooed chieftai

Hitiri te Paerata, famous as one of the leaders who heroically defended the Orakei

pa in 1866, against General Cameron's troops. Old Patara Te Tehui, and his brother Hoiana te Maioha, uncles of King Mahuta, who took a prominent part in starting the Kingite movement over forty years ago, wore also present. [by telegraph, press association - .]

Huntly, last night. The Hou. J. Carroll and party went across to Waahi again this morning, in

order to conclude a conference with Mahuta and the kingite chiefs on the subject of the disputed southern boundary of the Waikato laud district, From the general tone of yesterday's proceedings it was thought that there was a good chance of Mr Carroll satisfactorily arranging matters with Mahuta, and inducing the Waikatos to follow the lead of all other trices and work their lands under the new Act. Mr Carroll’s de parture lor Otorohanga is postponed till

this afternoon. Dr. Pomare, Native Health Officer, is with the party, and has made an inspection of Waahi village.