THE NATIVE MEETING AT ORAKEI.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1568, 27 February 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE MEETING AT ORAKEI.

[Press Special Wire.] Auckland, February 26. The Maori Parliament at Orakei to-day, opened at 12 o’clock. The numbers were increased by the arrival of a contingent of Ngatipo. The proceedings commenced with the thirty fifth Sisaloi and prayer by a Maori Wesleyan student or holy orders. Paul Tuhaero acts as an efficient chairman of the meeting, and claimed a fair hearing for the Speakers. He asked the meeting to discuss questions in the same manner as the European Parliament. He contended tlut the treaties at Waitangi and Kohimarama were binding on all the tribes. Te Hira counselled the Natives to follow the advice of their forefathers, to live in peace with the Europeans and submit to the authority of the Queen. The Gospel and the tfeaty of Waitangi were great treasures. He was pleased that Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan had reminded them of the promise 3 of their forefathers. Arama Karaka also urged adherence to the treaty of Waitangi. He was raised from dust and from under the feet of other tribes by Christianity. The tribes should endeavor to live like Englishmen. He had ceased to paddle in a Maori canoe, and would in future sail in a ship. He Would repeat that he saw at Kohimarama that he would suffer, and that evil would come from the Waikato, where the trouble occurred with Wiremu Kingi. He (Arama Karaka) offered 3000 acres of land as compensation for that chief's offences. Onejof the subjects that ought to be discussed by this Parliament was that of Crown grants. Let them not, like the Waikatos, go after strange gods which produced misfortune. Te Hotene Boko said he would welcome the new Governor, th ugh he had not yet arrived. Paul, the chairman, invited all present to speak their minds. Let them express their views, whether favorable to the Government or not. Renata Kowatnpu, of Ngapnhi, puoted from the treaty of Waitangi. He complained that Maori fisheries, which were guaranteed by that treaty, had been sold. By that treaty the Queen alone was to purchase Native lands, but now private persons were permitted to purchase. Some of the provisions of the treaty had not been carried out, Ngakurn Te Earewa said the first time he had seen misfortune occur to the Natives was when the last Governor came. Eopera Te Waitnheke urged loyalty to the Queen, under whose shadow they were living. He was glad of the presence of Commissioner Kemp as a link between Natives and Government. Waipu would always bear in mind the words of their ance-tors —Be kind to the Europeans. Pataki said the troubles between the two races had not been cauoed by the treaty but by quarrels about land. Araati contended that all the tribes were bound by the treaty of Waitangi. Par am a Mutihi said the treaties were made by the whole of the lands. He would like to see Maori children educated so that they might marry European women, and Europeans marry Maori women. Sir G. Grey’s kindness commenced when he first became Governor. He congratulated the tribes on Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan being in the Government, because the Natives would now have justice. Sir G. Grey had given the Natives justice in years gone by, and cleared away the fogs. Hori Tawhita, their member, went to sleep when he was sent into Parliament. He had done nothing for bis district. Hori Tauroa compared Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan to physicians, who were trying to cure the diseases of the two races. Te Tataoa said let them approve of Sir G. Qr y when they had seen what he could do. Watatipn urged the tribes to hold fait to the law and Gospel. Tareha (Tauranga) compared the Hanhaus to Scotch thistles, which injured the seed planted by their ancestors. Paul deprecated the frequent reference to the Gospel in the speeches. Let them confine religion to their services, and talk to-morrow on political subjects. The meeting adjourned at 3.30 until eleven to-morrow.