IMPORTANT NATIVE GATHERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 8 May 1907, Page 3

IMPORTANT NATIVE GATHERING.

Press Association. * AUCKLAND, yesterday. At the Maori meeting at Waahi the principal incident of Sunday’s proceedings was a speech by Henare Kaihau, M.H.R. He referred to the treaty of Waitangi, which, he said, had never been broken by tlie natives. So far as they, were concerned it was still in force, and tlie only means of getting it recognised by the New Zealand Parliament was to send a petition to tho King. When the proceedings were resumed yesterday afternoon Mr. Kaihau made further references to the same Sffbject. The proceedings to-day were characterised with intense earnestness. The Arawas, after deliberating, resolved that, they -.were in complete accord that the descendants of the Arawa and Taimii canoes should unite to obtain a full recognition of Maori rights according to the treaty of Waitangi. Mr. Kaihau, M.H.R., expressed gratification, and said he was entirely in accord with the union and said if Messrs. Ngata, Heke, or Parata would not acquiesce the union would not evejifuate. AUCKLAND, last night..

Mr. William Rogers, a leading member of the Arawa. tribe, who has arrived in Auckland, has given a Herald representative a statement of the part the Arawas arc taking in the Wialii meeting. Mr. Rogers assorts that practically the Arawas have no grievance whatever against the Governenint' and were present at the gathering for' the purpose of upholding the Treaty of Waitangi, to urge unity of scattered tribes; and

to make advances with the object of restoring the friendship between the Arawa and Waikato tribes. The hitter end had been achieved. “I like to call a spade a spade,” said Mr. Rogers, “ and I say this meeting is a"farce and nothing more, unless I add that it is also merely a feast.” The Arawas consider that the real aim of the meeting is to bring all the Maoris under authority of Mahuta, but to this the Arawas distinctly object. If the meeting decides to send a deputation to England the Arawas will take no part in it, but they would not do that it was all talk.