THE NATIVE MEETING AT ORAKEI.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1569, 28 February 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE MEETING AT ORAKEI.

[Press Special Wire.] AUCKLAND, February 27. The Maori Parliament at Orakei to-day-opened at eleven o’clock. In order to ensure brevity in the religious service, Paul had substituted a new minister, who gave out the 4th hymn, followed by prayer. . Paul then re-opened the discussion by repeating the caution he gave on the previous day not to burden the speeches with talk about the Gospel. Let them express their grievances, so that they might be brought before Sir G. Grey. The first speaker said there was both uf« and death in the treaty of Waitangi. Ho complained that the establishment of Land Courts violated the treaty. This was tto fault of both races, Te Hemara said the evils which came upon the M aoris were introduced by the missionaries, who caused them to look up to heaven, while they took away the lands from beneath their feet. Ho condemned the Land Courts, which were presided over by pakehas. Te Retimara Whitu said Governor Grey had been obliged to admit that the King had grown into a tree which could not be cut down. . Te Kepa said that Governor Brown had promised at the Kohimarama conference that these conferences should be held every year, but each successive Government had broken that promise, and the Maoris had been compelled to take the matter up themselves. He condemned the Native Land Court of 18G6. Patoraraa said the evil of the treaty of Waitangi was that the Maoris afterwards became' possessed of guns and slaughtered other tribes. He thought the Government should give back the Maori fisheries. Ngapahui thought the Government should give a portion of the harbor dues to the Natives, because the fisheries had been guaranteed to the Maoris. Another cause of trouble to Maoris was the Crown grants and Road Boards. When land was granted to the Government for railways, they should have only the space occupied by the sleepers. What was the use of talking to him about loyalty, when he had always been loyal.

Hana would like to have the M mri fisheries returned. He disapproved of t he sale of tens or thousands of acres in one t lock, which caused troubles. Let the Maoris * ;ease to sell any more trouble. KaiwaTe Kongo said the natives themselves had alienated the land. The Qut en did not take it. He still retained his land. He complained that the Government had paid only £3OO for a piece of land, Papnraru , of 3300 acres. He hoped Mr Sheehan wt *uld look into that. Te Hemara Tawhiao said the Q neon was the cause of the trouble because she sent missionaries, who made all the troubles. Ho complained of the Queen’s mana be ing over his land at Piako. He thought Pruu should be elected for the district, to make tonown its grievances. Ho did not think the 'Government had shown any love for Maoris. Te Hotea said he was determined not to pay any Road Board rates. Tamihama thought the Maori members should be elected for the district. Paul said he was in no hurry withi business, as he desired to give the people at He Kopua time to build their new house for the meeting in March. He proposed that the meeting should bo adjourned till to-morrow. The meeting was then adjourned. The proceedings to-day were more lively. There are many Europeans present, Mr W. Swanson and several others, also several ladies. The discussion will bo resumed to-rnovrow when the relations between the Kingifcea and Government will probably be discussed.