THE KINGITE MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2527, 16 May 1882, Page 3

THE KINGITE MEETING.

[press association telegram.] ALEXANDRA, May 15. Korero was resumed to-day at eleven. About a thousand Natives assembled on the ground. Business was introduced by the statement that Tawhaio wished the discussion confined to the land question, butj the talk branched off into an irregular skirmish on the old grievances of no interest or importance. Rewi spoke, but only to invite Natives to come to Whatiwhatihoe. In response to a challenge from Te Wheoro re the Land Court at Mokau. Te Wetere commenced a long explanation of the circumstances that led to his waiting for the Court —namely, the claims of the Ngatitatou tribe, and is still speaking. Nothing of further interest to the Europeans is likely to transpire at this meet- 1 * Dg ‘ r a Later. The korero to-day occupied four hours, but the new matter may be summed up in a few ' words. Waihanui, in his introductory speech, 1 gave us au addendum to Tawhaio’s opening ' programme. The proposition that tho Go- j vornment bo asked to suspend their decision . in the oases of Te Whiti and Tohu until an 1 opportunity had been afforded of discussing this matter with the other questions given to ] Te Wheoro for submission to Parliament was { referred to. In the after discussion, however, no speaker even mentioned Te Whiti or Tohu, showing how little interest was taken in them by the Natives present. The talk has almost been devoted to recriminations about land sales, and to suggestions about removing Parliament to Auckland. One man thought that now peace was made, thirty Maoris ought to be admitted to Parliament. Another that tho Maoris should have a Parliament to themselves. Te Wheoro said he would bear all their 1 wants to the House of Bepresentatives, but ] while he did so, it remained with themselves j to cease from sales, leases, roads, and Land Courts. He said that he referred to the bridge, the one now building across Waipa, e and would undertake that the road should c stop there. x Te Ngakau replied as to sales and leases of , land, and said they bad promises to stop those. Te Weters asked would he atop the Native Lands Court ? Te Wetere made an explanation of the reason why he applied for the Court at Mokau, viz,, to defeat the claims of the Ngatitamana, who had been driven out . by coe quest, and allowed to come back on sufferance, and wore now obtaining the soil. * He had thereby prevented them from obtain- ■ ing £3OO from the Government on account of those lands. His reply was somewhat uncertain, though tho Natives construe it into promise to comply with the demand. t Finally, Paora Tuahere, of Orakei, brought matters into a definite shape by submitting Tawhaio’# proposal about Parliament, the stoppage of surveys, land, &0., to the meeting seriatim, resulting in an overwhelming show of hands in their favor. _ y Two or three chiefs remarked immediately t after, that at the previous Maori meetings similar proposals had been unanimously rati- t fied, and those who had then assented went . home and commenced to falsify their pledges, j and they had no doubt the same thing would t happen again. The talking will be continued to-morrow, but many Natives have left, and others are leaving. Practically the business is over. Tho outcome of the meeting ia that Major Te Wheoro is to convey certain proposals as yet undefined to Parliament, and in the J meanwhile the Natives present at the meeting j have agreed to suspend all surveys on roads, lands, &0., and other measures for opening np the country. This promise some aro even now falsifying in Alexandra, and others will not fail to falsify it immediately they get ( back to their settlements. ,