THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAITARA.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1305, 25 May 1878, Page 3

THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAITARA.

[“New Zealand Herald.”] The approaching meeting of Natives at Waitara will be one of the most important events in the history of New Zealand. There was fighting before the outbreak at Waitara, but it involved a principle as to land ownership which had never been raised before. Then, for the first time, the King movement became actively hostile to European progress, and from Waitara war spread over the greater part of the island. The Kingites have always said that if peace were made, it should only be after a meeting at Waitara, and the fact that Tawhiao and Rewi have expressed a wish to have a general meeting at Waitara shows that they expect and desire that peace will be the result. The famous Ngatiawa chief William King, who resisted the sale at Waitara, will be one of the most prominent figures at the approaching meeting. William King and his people had been driven from Waitara by the Waikatos, and resided for several years at Waikanae, at Cook’s Straits. He was invited to go back by Potatau, the first Maori King. Sir George Grey, who was then Governor, was much opposed to the migration of the tribe—foreseeing the probability of trouble in Taranaki —and at one time seemed to contemplate preventing it by military force. The Ngatiawa were, however, determined to return, and it was at length agreed to allow them, on condition that they should settle on the north bank of the Waitara. Our readers will remember that after going to war with William King for ! orbidding the sale of Waitara, we acknowledged that he was in the right after all by restoring it to him by proclamation. We understand that invitations have been sent to the Hon. Wi Tako, Matene Te Whiwhi, and other Southern chiefs who took a prominent part in the King movement, to attend the meeting at Waitara The dispute about Teira’s land at Waitara began in 1859 —ninoteen years ago.