PUBLIC MEETING.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1353, 19 June 1872, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

(Report concluded.) Mi- OarlilhE said he might be considered liable to an imputation of being influenced by personal antagonism in coining forward at this meeting; but having been working out of door* to promote the meeting, he might be ac--cused of underhand proceedings if he did not come openly forward now. He deprecated the spirit of levity which bad hitherto characterised the meeting, especially during the remarks made by the natives, and attributed it to an impel feci knowledge of the facts they had adduced, (Mr 0. then reviewed the statements of* the natives concerning ]\lr Russell's dealings with them.) What a terrible lesson had thus been taught the natives by Tienare Matua — k$ would not say hy Mr Russell,

Mr J, N. Wilson said that the excitement among the natives was to some extent a proper excitement ; and the resolution was calculated to cast on them an undeserved slur. The resolution was imperfect, inasmuch as it did not set forth the remedv —tho appoint* mcnt of a commission, What was really required was a searching inquiry into certain very questionable transactions—the process of Courts of Law not being properly understood or appreciated by natives, Mr Newton intimated that he had prepared a substantive resolution, embodying a suggestion similar to Mir Wilson's.

The first resolution was then put and carried by a large majority. Mr T. K. "Newt@n had not intended to speak; but so far he had seen only one element represented. What the people desired war- simply t> be protected from the wholesale repudiation with which they were threatened. What he objected to was the interference of unauthorised persons, and he felt convinced that any inquiry which might be instituted would be met by the sren'lemen connected with native lands in a fair and proper spirit He moved—

That this meeting is of opinion that a special commission should be appointed to enquire into dealings in respect of lands that natives or Europeans might desire to bring before it, such committee to have power to enquire into and deal with all cases on equitable grounds. It is also the opinion of this meeting that this course wonld tend to allay the present excitement, and be satisfactory to both races.

Mr 0. S. Wishaht had great plea sure in seconding the resolution. We were not all interested in land; out we were all equally interested in maintaining cordial relations with the natives. The proposed commission would have a double result—it would bring to light unfair dealings with the natives, and would remove undeserved aspersions cast upon those who had acted honorably and fairly.

Captain Curbing- was pleased that something definite had at length been proposed, Nothing else would so well allay discontent as the course suggested At first he had objected to the meeting, on the ground that it might gise Mr Russell a certain legal advantage—that to his character of champion for the natives he might add that of martyr. What a shame it would be if anything should arise to disturb our peace, that it should go home that Henry Russell was the only protector of the natives, and moreover that he was only actuated by the lowest motives He did not wish to say anything against Mr Russell personally; and thought that all persons who had got I heir gardens, their carriages, and other luxuries from iniquitous transactions with the natives should be exposed. (Applause.) Mr JS. A. Carlton, who was received with a storm of disapprobation, mingled with cheers and laughter, quietly seated himself upon the table until he could make himself partially heard. Many portions of his speech wevii lost in the uproar which occasionally arose, which will account for sundry incoherent portions of the report. After expressing his grave doubts as to the impartiality of the Chairman, whereby he provoked a roar of laughter, he requested to know upon what footing the meotuig stood. He saw no person in authority present —no representative of the Government —save and except the Provincial Solicitor. If the question discussed was one of wrong and illegality, were the Courts not open? It'the matters complained of could not be taken there, what could this meeting do 1 But, on the other hand, if it was a question of sheer immorality, as between one man and another —where, lie would ask, among those who had got up this meeting was the man who could throw the first stone? (Applause aud hisses) li it was to be the practice in future to call public meetings to consider the moral aspect of every man's private actions, would he a tine thing for the proprietors of the Hall. This discontent among the natives was not of such recent date as represented, and had not originated in Hawke's Bay. It aiose in Wellington when Wi Tako moved the Supreme Court to set aside the Crown Grants of the land on which the citv was built. The case « T a* now in

the Court of Appeal, and was likely to prove successful. The remarks made by Kuraitiana came with a very bad grace when it was known that within the last twelve day* he had applied to Mr Travcrs to assist him in repudiating an old agreement —that Karaitiana was the first person who retained him (MrO.) to assist in repudiating the sale of the Mangateretere Block. On that occasion Henare Tomoana offered his services to swear whatever was necessary; hut not being one of the grantees, his evidence was declined. Who started the agitation for tliis meeting? The twelve apostles—the first violators of the law, who carried their point by inveigling a Superintendent or two into their service. The Govern men t were at a lass how to deal wii.li these men and retain their votes—hence the Native Lands Act of 1862—a tentative measure, which, like all our New Zealand Acts, required to lie patched and amended, and which resulted in the Act of 1865. He was not here to defend any person ; but lie had heu.nl a thiug at this meeting to which he was ashamed to allude. A gentleman who once held a seat in the Assembly, and also the office of Resident Magistrate had come forward and uttered the most vile slander he had ever heard in a public meeting.— (Great uproar, hisses, and applause.) Mr C. continued-—I am only going at present to make one observation Mr Henry Russell is the only man in the Province (Mr C. having finished his sentence, took his seat, but the concluding words were lost in the din.) Capt. Curling again came forward, and with difficulty obtained a partial hearing. He said that he «'as proud that his remarks had raised the ire of the last speaker, as shown l>v the term " blackguard language" which he had used.

Mr Carlton : Mr Chairman, F did not use any such term. My words were, " vile slander."

Capt. Curling continued : Mr Carlyon was so well known that his re marks might well be allowed to pass like idle wind, as altogether unworthy of notice.

Karaitiana agreed with the resolu tion. Mr Russell was a bad man, and had once summoned him.

The resolution was put and carried unanimously.

M i Carlile moved the third resolution, in a tew brief remarks, descriptive of recent proceedings at Pakipaki. [Our readers will excuse us from publishing this resolution, which related to Mr H. R. Russell personally. Reports of public meetings are not protected from the operation of the law of libel.]

Mr J. Hallett seconded the resolution. The matter was more seriona. than the meeting appeared to be aware. The events which had lately transpired would t«o or three years ago have oc casioned a general war. Mr B. A. Ferard supposed we had now come to the real business —introced us might have been expected, at the fag-end of the meeting. <U'ter all, it was clear from what the natives had ;<aid, that the real disturber was Heuare Matua. This meeting had been got up by personal enemies of ivlr Russell; they knew him to be an unpopular man, and a recent event had given litem an opportunity to stab him to the heart. An ugly word—fraud—in a recent decision against him, used in its legal, not its ordinary sense, had given them their chance, and they had made the most of it. Mr Russell was opposed to the Ministry of the day, and they did not doubt that those in authority would seize the opportunity to do him harm. And who were they who now raised the cry 1 Those who, in times gone by, when the Province had before it a bright, future, although members of the Executive, illegally leased the lands of the natives (applause.) Men who had tempted them to part with their land for spirit were now raising the cry, " What is to become of the poor Maori V while the Government were keeping the impoverished natives quiet by bribes and pensions. Mr Russell was advising the natives to take their grievances to the Supreme Court. Karaitiana and Henare Tomoana to night objected to this, saying " Let them be settled by native custom " —as Hapuku and Moananui settled their disputes of old Karaitiana would hear of nothing but a native committee; Henare would admit

one or two Europeans. He did not stand there to defend Mr Russell—there was too much truth in what the natives had said, that he would 6ing them as a stone at his enemies, and allow them to sink, while he stood on the dry land ; but Mr Russell did not stand alone. People in other provinces, smiled when they heard of "'fair and honorable dealings with tlie natives" in Hawke's Bay. Friendly relations, between ourselves and the natives, were not likely to be promoted by letting, them see that when a European professed to show them a practical ands legal mode ol obtaining redress for their giievances, all the other Europeans wetc ready to hound him down. (Great, con fusion.)

Mr John Regg made a few remarks, in the same strain, which were mostly drowned in the prevailing confusion] He said the meeting was called on. the principle of setting a tliief to catch, a, thief. The whole matter should be in, vestigated by honest men like Judge Rochfort.

The resolution was; then passed by a considerable majority, and after a vote of thanks toahe Chaiunan, the meeting dispersed..