NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1903, 31 March 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

IMPORTANT INTERVIEW "WITH TITOKOWARTJ. [Br Tblegbaph.] [SBOM OtTB OWN COBBESrONDENTS.J PA'IEA, March 30. The Commission has scored another rather important success. It appears that Titokowaru has been very anxious to havo an interview with the Commissioners, though he did not care to go into Hawera to do so. In response to a preying invitation from the old chief, Sir W. Eox and Sir D. Bell drove out to Okuia, where they were received with something more than the usual Maori ceremony. After the preliminaries were over, Titokowaru welcomed the two Commissioners and Mr Parris in the most cordiul manner. He then nwdo a brief speech, the purport of which was that the Commission should go to Te Whiti if the Commission received an invitation. Sir Wm. Fox explained the object and scope of the Commission. In referiinj» to Te Whiti and his statement that the reads would not meet, Sir William said that it was impwible to understand Te Whiti, who in one breath said that the roads should never meet, and that there would be no fighting. He asked how Te Whiti intended to stop the roads being made. How was it that To Whiti did not prevent his young men from being sent to gaol ? The pakehas were a powerful race, and took possession of many countries ; America, Australia, Africa, male roads, railways and bridgeß in them, and cultivated tho 1 .nd. They were doing the same in New Zealand, and would continue to do so. Titokowaru some years ago drovo the settlers away and burned their houses, but the pakeha was hi-re more numerous than ever with his roads, coaches, and railways. The best thing was to live together in harmony, each on his uvrn land. Sir D. Bell asked Titokowaru if he thought that the Europeans would agree

to allow Te Whiti to have the control o£ everything in his own hands. The answer was a chorus of "Noes," followed by n sentontiouß remark from Titokowaru blood has all gone.". Sir I>. Bell iaid "Although Te Whiti says the roads will never meet, yoa will And that they will meet." Some conversation then ensued as to the way in which the Government proposed to deal with the Natives in respect to their lands, and the information gave great satisfaction to the Natives, Titokowaru saying he was quite satisfied, and no more trouble need be apprehended from him. He had done with all that. Kokiri, who has hitherto been one of the Btaunchest followers of Te Whiti, and the most difficult man to deal with, said, " Let us go to Parihaka and talk the whole matter over there. If you say you'will go to Parihaka we will ali go with you." Then addressing Sir D. Bell, he said, "Are you afraid?" Sir Dillon replied, "No; we are not afraid, but we cannot, for we have not received an invitation." Kokiri replied, "You need not be afraid. You will not be hurt or insulted. Everything will be pleasant, and you can talk the matter over with To Whiti. What you have said is first-rate. We will all go with you to Parihaka and talk the matter over with Te Whiti, as you have talked it with üb." Honi Pohama here said, " I have travelled round with the Commissioners te see what they do, and what would come of it for the Natives. If good comes of it what can we do ; or if evil comes of it can we do anything. Let us stop and see the result. The day of holding ourselves proudly has gone by." Sir Dillon then referred to the repeated requests of Titokowaru and Kokiri that the Commission should go to Parihaka, saying, " You ask us to go to Parihaka, but remember what took place when we sent a letter to Te Whiti from Oeo. He did not answer it. Rather you carry those words to Te Whiti yourself, and let him ask us to go to him." Titokowaru said ; "The right thing will be for you to go ; and I say again, that we will all go and support you." Sir Dillon—" What will be the result if we go to Te Whi'i ? Are our words clear to you?" Both Titokowaru and Kokiri replied, " What you have said is perfectly clear to us." Sir Dillon—" Can you tell what Te Whiti will say?" "Yes" (from both), "your words will be clear to him aB they are to us, and he will approve of them as we do." Sir Dillon afterwards had a conversation with Titokowaru in Kokiri's whare, in which Titokowaru strongly urged Sir Dillon to endeavor to persuade Sir Win. Pox to consent to go at once to Parihaka, but Sir Dillon said they were not quite clear whether they would go or not, but added, " When we have decided we will let you know, provided if we do go, you will undertake to accompany us." They replied, "If you go we will go with you." This waß practically what took place at the interview, and when the Commission turned their horses' heads for homo they left Titokowaru and his peoplo in high good humour. The Commission hag finished its sittings in this district, but not its work, inasmuch as there is a good deal of confusion respecting certain acts and promises of the late Sir Donald McLean, Mr Richmond and Mr Worgan. An enquiry will have to be made into these at Wellington, after which probably Sir Dillon Bell will again visit the district. In all other respects the Commission have gone oarefully into nearly every bit of the confiscated land awards. WELLINGTON, March 30.

Tho Native news from the West Coast of this Island continues to be thoroughly favourable. The canard as to Te Whiti having declared that he abdicated in favour of Tohu, which was looked on as tantamount to a declaration of war, now turns out to be wholly without foundation. Te Whiti declares that he never said bo. Tohu declares that To Whiti never said it, and the natives who attended the Parihaka meeting confirm the statement. I hear that Pihama sought a special interview with the Premier and Mr Bryce when they were at Oeo, and assured them that if they pursued their present Native policy boldly and unfalteringly they need be under no apprehension of any resistance or difficulty, but that if they halted or hesitated then there might bo danger of opposition. As he was once a brave and honourable opponent in the open field, much weight is attached to his voluntary utterances. The road-making is going steadily forward, and care will be taken that when Te Whiti's boundary river is reached, there will be no pause, but tho work will bo pushed straight forward with all possible speed and vigor. It is anticipated that Te Whiti will enter a mere formal protest, either by erecting a fence, or in some other harmless manner, but that under no circumstances will any violence or forcible resistance be even attempted.

The Nativo Commissioners expect to finish their labors on the West Coast by the end of next week. It is not yet definitely decided whether they will proceed to Dunedin or Hokitikato examine the Maoriprisoners,butitis most probable that a formal effort will be made to take their evidence, although it is not expected that they will consent in the face of Te Whiti's prohibition. There seems no reaßon to anticipate any further Native trouble at Murimotu. Judging from the latest advices received both by the Government, and by private individuals, it ia now tolerably certain that Kemp's turbulent and lawless conduct was deliberately assumed as a piece of bounce, and that it was directly inspired by certain pakeha Maoris whose identity can bo pretty shrewdly guessed. Kemp, while preserving a blustering and dofiant demeanor in the presence of his followers, is very subdued and downcast in manner when conversed with privatoly by Europeans, and seems to feel the deprivation of his dignities and emoluments very acutely. He refused for a long time to give credence to the intimation of his dismissal. Ho still rotains his commission in the New Zealand militia, and it is understood that a hint of impending degradation unless his submission is speedily given in haß materially influenced his mind. There is very little doubt now that he will comply with the orders of the Government and the demands of hia brother chiefs, and leave Murimotu, where he has created such a disturbance. In any case the survey is now completed so far as required, therefore it matters very little, excepting to himself, how he may choose to behave. It is needless to add that the story of his going to Parihaka was a mere trumped up canard.