Native Meeting.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 6, 3 April 1914, Page 3

Native Meeting.

The native meeting, as summoned to be held at Waahi, commenced on Sunday. Owing to the restrictions still in force against natives travelling without certificates of successful vaccination, the attendance was not nearly as large as was anticipated, most of the tribes and hapus sending delegates instead of being represented in force. Taken altogether, there could not be more than 300 natives in attendance, and these appeared to be split into two hostile camps. Many chiefs were present, the Ngati Maniapoto being there in strength, while Tupu Taingakawa, Ahuriri, Hori Herewini and other cheifs were present in support of the “'King.” The Hon. Dr Pomareand Mr Henare Kaihau, ex M. P., were also at the meeting and took part in the proceedings. Outlie arrival of the King and his party in the middle of the marae (square) a brief service was conducted by the Rev. Raiti who in his prayers inyoked the Divine blessing on the “ King’s ” mission, and in his sermon preached on the obedience and the allegiance which the people owe to their king. The expression of the “ King’s ” desire should meet with the acquiescence of his “subjects,” there being no appeal beyond Caesar. “Kingi” Te Rata then welcomed the chiefs and the tribesmen in a few digitized words, and stated without the least circumlocution that he and Tupu Taingakawa intended to proceed to England. Tuku Tariwa, a chief of the Maniapoto, after the customary salutations, objected strenuously to the proposed visit to England, arguing that the first step should be a legal and binding union or federation of the natives of the Dominion. That accomplished they could then agree as to the steps that should be taken to obtain redress for the grievances from which the native race suffered. Tarawa Rangitanga, another leader of the Maniapotos, supported the previous speaker.

“ Unite your hapus, your tribes, and your nations underthe king,” he said, “ and then talk about an embassy to King George.” Tupu Taingakawa, the ‘King’s Prime Minister, after welcoming the chief's, and acknowledging the presence of the Hon. Dr Pomare and Henare Kaihau. said that though the old and wise chiefs were gone and even King Mahuta had departed this life, they had left behind the old Kupu (policy) which those who weie still alive were bound to carry out. If Kaihau intended to rake up the old griexances, and reopen old sores now in the process of healing, nothing would be done. He intended to go to England, and nothing that was said or done could prevent him from carrying out his intention. “ Taihoa ” had been their cry too long : it defeated every effort to progress. They were advised to take their grievances to the New Zealand - Government, and ask for redress. That had been done ver and over again since the js of Tawhiao, and over and .ver again had the Government repudiated them. He had sent a petition to Government, and had received a reply which ho would take with him to England. “ I am not going to wait for any more amending acts,” he declared emphatically, “ nor for any bribing of the members My words may be rude and abrupt, but they are hearty and honest.” Henare Kaihau commenced with a tribute to the great dead, and to those who had more recently crosse I over to the spirit land. He strongly objected to the position which Tupu had assumed. As adviser of the young “King,” Tupu should consult the wishes of the people, and not act as a despot. The “ King” was overlord of his people, and for whatever the proposed embassy did in England, th* members of that embassy Id be responsible to the peodiom they could not ignore, ae people are not in favour of you (Tupu) and Te Rata going to England, where are the finances coming from? I am not frightened for Tupu, but I am afraid for Te Rata.” He was cognisant of every grievance that Tupu could have gathered up. For fifteen years he had fought in Parliament for a native policy, and Tupu was well aware of everything that had occurred. The contemplated visit to England would be productive of little good. They might obtain advice on the Act of 1902, by which the Government had obtained power to seize native lands. The power of the Government under that act had never been tested,'and he was strongly of opinion that all the processes of New Zealand lav/ should be exhausted before they proceeded to England. Te Rata and Tupu had summoned the people to meet to day in order to discuss the proposed visit, and to give the assembled delegates a list of the grievances for which they intended to obtain or to seek redress. Otherwise, they would pledge the people to something of which they had no knowledge and no information, something that they might regret for ever, and something that the unions might repudiate after the return of the embassy. “Get all the natives to put in writing,” Kaihau continued, “ their acknowledgment of the Kingship of Te fiathose mana, while it might bind the Waikatos, would have no influence over the Eastern ttibesmen who would act as they thought best in their own in- I

terests. Before Tupu could have any weight in England he must have the authority of the _ whole race. Did you (Tupu) call 0 the people here to listen to the Q bald statement of your intention \ to make the journey? Who authorised you ? Produce your authority and state your case.” Ahuriri, Mahuta’s prime minisj ter, favoured the trip. When the j king had epxressed his will, no one should contradict. He did j not agree with the sentiments of Kaihau, and the people should , pay no attention to his words. Kaihau had been in Parliament j for fifteen years, and had done nothing. If he were in Parliament for another forty years, the tale would be repeated nothing further would he done. There- , fore, it was imperatively necessary that Te Rata and Tupu should proceed. The Hon Dr Pomare, M. P., after acknowledging the welcome accorded to him, pointed out that there were two ways of accomplishing the end they had in view: one by submitting a test case to the Supreme Court of New Zealand ; and the other by taking their grievances direct to the Privy Council. The latter might prove a short cut, while the former process might take time. It was not for him to advise them one way or another, especially as it -appealed that they had made up their minds to make the trip to London. Like the law of the land, the Treaty ofWaitangi was still operative, and if they thought any of its clauses had been broken, the highest court in the Dominion was open to them. S. veral native owners in Taranaki had been sued for taking whitebait from a river running through their property, and their nets had been confiscated. These owners, under the opinion that the fishing rights as conserved to them by the Treaty of Waitangi, had been illegally interfered with, were about to seek redress in the Supreme Court, the judges of which had already declared that ; the Treaty was not a dead letter. They could proceed in that tribunal against the Government, since the limitations .inserted in the Crown Suits Act of 1907 at :

the instigation of Sir James Carroll and Mr A. T. Ngata were repealed last session by the Reform Government. On resuming after the lunch adjournment Tupu Taingakawa said —“ We desire to obtain the objects which we have been striving for years.” The foundation of their policy was based on those rights which Mahuta, while he sat in the 'Legislative Council, had vainly endeavoured to secure. The visit to England was undertaken at the wish of the majority of the natives of the North Island. “ I do not advise the King. He can do as he pleases. I shall wait no longer. I am tired of appealing to the Government cf New Zealand.” Papene Eketone did not say it was wrong for Tupu to take a trip to England, but it was decidedly wrong to proceed thither as an ambassador until all the tribes had federated under the kingship of Te Rata. A union of the kind should be consummated before the party left the Uominion. “Unite first,” he concluded, “and let each native signify his acquiescence by appending his signature to a covenant legally drawn up. Such a , covenant had been drawn up, but you (Tupu) took it from, us and locked it up in your box.’ Nota, a representative from K a i par a, h o m ologa ted the o p ini on s of Eketone, favouring a federation of the tribesmen as a preliminary to further action. Mete Raukawa, an East Coast delegate, supported Tupu. “Go,” he said, “and while you are absent, I will look after the land of the people, and see that it is not alienated.” Ahuriri explained that the covenants had been completed. A meeting had recently been held at Tauwhare where this had been done. Though Tupu’s people were the only ones that attended, the work was, neverthe- i less, completed. If the other people summoned had not attended, the fault was theirs. They did not require Mete to look alter the land. The “ Komiti,” appointed for that purpose would do that. Rangitata asserted that all former plans and proposals had been formulated and disonssed at Waahi, on the “royal” marae where they met to-day, openly, and above board by Mahuta and Kaihau. These plans had not been completed. Why not complete them now with Te Rata as Mahuta’s substitute and successor? “Federate the tribes,” he exclaimed, “and make the covenant as legally binding as possible, and I will be with you.” Like Pepene he wanted to know why the covenants were kept sealed up in a box. They should come out into the open, and by disclosing their full programme show their trust in the people. Keri Toki Te Aim, who displayed a beautifullydesigned legal document which he hold up in front of all, said —“ I and my hapu have united under the king and here is our covenant, legally drawn up, and signed by the members of my hapu in the presence of a J ustice of the Peace, and there, ” pointing to a mass of documents, “arc other covenants which prove that the unification of the race had been well begun. Paul advocated federation, and that accomplished an embassy to England might be productive of much good. Tupu explained that the mass of documents spread on the table nt of him were covenants ad been duly executed and y witnessed. The whole

1 business was straight, and there 3 had been no crookedness in his ? actions. 1 Tuku Taviwha had advocated 3 union during the life time of i Mahuta and at the coronation of > “ King ” Te Rata. Tupu and • Ahuriri appeared to be opposed to democratic ideals, and had • formed an oligarchy that was t not in consonance with the people’s will. Speaking directly to ; Ahuriri) he said, “I am not afraid of you. I only fear the great spirit who, 1 hope will change your views.” Henare Kaihau asserted that the only matter the visitors to England could obtain advice upon was the legality of the confiscation of certain native lands as a result of war. The question of the visit had degenerated into a personal matter, but before the visitors could carry any weight they must have the authority of the people as a whole. Tawhaio went to England in order to assert the rights of the Maori race under the Treaty or Waitangi. He was advised to appeal to the Government of New Zealand, and when that Government refused to treat with them, he shoul i return to England and appeal to the Privy Council. Th,e Act of 1900 proposed to deal with native rights by protecting native lands, but as the Maori members were few and the Pakeha members many, the efforts of the farmer were futile. In 1907 was passed an act to take the native lands, and the Stout-Ngata commission acted in accordance with that act. Whether agreeable or not the natives had no voice in the alienation of their birth-rigut. Mahuta opposed the Act of 1912, and advised the natives to place their lands under the mana. The majority of owners in the Rohe Potae agreed, and by so doing conserved their ownership. “It seems that you (Tupu) are in the dark, and do not know what you are doing. Personal jealousy has blinded you, and imaginary grievances prevent you from listening to reason. Explain the position, and enlighten the people on the object of your visit. Let them know what your intentions are, and postpone your trip for eighteen months so

that the people may be enabled to discuss the matter. What parts cf the Treaty do you intend to complain of? If you refer to the disposal of certain lands alienated by the express wish of the natives themselves, you will have no standing. With regard to the mineral rights the position is the same Your fishing rights is the only matter you can insist upon. The acceptance of lands from one native on behalt of the whole number of owners as was done by the Stout-Ngata Commission, was not right, as the alienation of those lands should have been agreed to by a majority of the owners. The legality of such action lias never been tested. An action in the Supreme {Court of New Zealand would settle the matter once and for all. Those who advocated in favour of the proposed expensive visit to England, were consulting their own interests, and wore not considering the people who refused to acknowledge the "royal” mana of Te Rata, although they might he using the funds of those people.” When the matter had been fully discussed, Tupu, if he so wished, might make the trip, leaving Te Rata at home; for it was better that Tupu should fail by himself than that To Rata should be involved in the failure. John Ormsby thought when he left home that the advisability of the journey to England would be fully discussed, but it appeared that all arrangements iiad been completed. Te Rata and Tupu seemed to embody tlie law, and if they still insisted on going to England, he would oppose the trip. A king should never leave his kingdom without the consent of his people. Ahuriri was not correct in asserting that the covenants had been completed. They stood on the King’s marae and there and only there should agreements be made. The covenants were simply verbal ones, and could bo, as they had already been, broken. They had united verbally under Tawhiao and under Mahutu, but their union failed simply because it was not binding. No one could he a king “ on bis own,” a king must have the allegiance of his subjects, and act in consonance with their wishes. Mrs Tupu, interruping, objected to the speaker stating that her husband had advised Rata to go home. Continuing, Mr Ormsby stated that as all meetings bad been held under the direction of Tupu, : it was natural for the people to think that Tupu was the power behind the throne. Tupu was not acting for his own people. He had been obliged to obtain support outside the Waikatos and Maniapotos. Let the King romain at home, and let Tupu make the trip. The native race would survive the loss. Herewini again asserted that the covenants were complete, and had been published, while all had been duly notified. After traversing the speech of Mr Ormsby, he said that the Maniapotos came to the meeting with respectful greetings to the “King,” but after the speeches all could see that their service was merely lip service, since they ignored the wishes of Te Rata. Brown Tewai (Hauraki) supported those opposed to the visit, as also did Tame Kawe (Mania poto), who was of opinion that a visit to England would prove

p useless. Uniil the laws of New 3 Zealand had been exhausted, the King of England could do nothing, 1 especially as the embassy had P ignored the King’s representat* tive. I Moerua having insisted-on the j union under Te Rata, Tupu j stated that the meeting was j wrong in thinking that he had advised Te Rata to go the Eng- , land. He had nothing to do . with Te Rata, It would be better and cheaper if he remained at home. Whether Te Rata went home or not, ho (Tupu) intended to go, and asked all the clever men who had spoken to accompany him. Keri Toke te Ahu supported the hint given by Dr. Pomare. He thought that the legality of the land confiiscated should be tested before the embassy proceeded to London. Ahuriri held that their union was complete, but if they were not satisfied they could complete matters while Te Rata and Tupu were on the water. Henare Kaihau advised Tupu not to be strong-headed. He should listen to reason, and not act in so dictatorial a fashion. They were present on the marae to thrash the matter out; but Tupu was obstinate. They had no intention of buying a pig in a poke. Tupu should show his hand. The native meeting was resumed on Sunday night, but little progress was made, the same speakers reiterating the same arguments, and going over the same ground again and again. Tame Kawe emphasised (he point that if after all the legal advice obtained, Taranki owners were willing to submit a test case as to their fishing rights to the Supreme Court, the people assembled that day should follow their example, and thus save time and money. An appeal to the King or to the Privy Council should be the last resource. The meeting dragged wearily on, those present being glad to delegate further discussion to a komiti which was then appointed. The komiti sat all day, but as far as can be learned no finality has yet been reached. The opposition to the proposed visit is most pronounced, and numerous objectors, the members of the Maniapoto tribe especially, are following the lead given by Mr Henari Kaihau whoso astuteness they recognise. They appear as the champions of democracy, and object to the dictatorial powers assumed by Tupu Taingakawa who, they assert; refuses to take the people into his confidence. Hence they are in the dark, and state that Tupu without the authority of a large majority of the tribesmen will have no weight. They favour the test cases in the Supremo Court, but, should the decisions go against them, then will they elect on the open marae the ambassadors the people desire to send, with specific insjaaictions as to their actions in London. The followers of Tupu, on the other hand, are impatient of delay, and are of opinion that immediate recourse to the highest authority in the Empire is the only way to finality, especially as previous Governments in New Zealand have made no effort to bring about t! «* remedies desired. The chief aims of the vistors to England will be the restoration of the lands confiscated as the result of the Maori wars, and the conservation of their fishing and forest rights in accordance with the spirit and letter of the Treaty of Waitangi. They have no faith in the settlement of these questions by any New Zealand institution, and the result of their experience shows that the only way to reach finality must be the highest court in the Empire. Notwithstanding the vigorous nature of the opposition, Titpu is determined to carry the visit through, and to that end deposits have been paid and passages have been booked in the Niagara which sails on April 11th. The party will he four in number, and will comprise Te Rata, Tupu Taingakawa, Paul (interpreter), and Meta Karaka. , It is their intention to be back again in New Zealand within six months. Tupu is fairly confident of success, and will see to it that no social distractions will be allowed to come between them and the business which is the occasion of their visit. As the party goes through Canada they intend to obtain as much information about the sister Dominion as they can. On Monday evening the question of the visit of “King” Te Rata and Tupu Taingakawa to London was the all absorbing topic of the debate and conversation. No now arguments either in favour of or against the proposal were adduced, and, con sequently, the discussion fizzled out. Resolving themselves into a committee those opposed to the journey, and they were the Maniopoto delegates cliiefily, with Mr Henare Kaihau as their leader, drew up a strongly worded petition which was duly presented to Tupu. The petitioners urged him to remain in New Zealand until covenants were signed by *the majority of the native race binding themselves to support a leg.il union or federation under their “ King;” to elect committees to devise a scheme of native government on the Home Rule principle; and to use his influence to keep Te Rata in the Dominion. When the first two objects of the petition had been effected, no. obstacle would be placed in the way of a visit to England by Tupu. In reply, the son of the “King-

kV maker” said that they had until 0 the 10th inst to sign the covenants =>’ which they so evidently desired, and if that period were insufficient for the purpose they could he completed while he was e away. 1 The objectors demurred against * the decision, and declared their ‘ intention to prevent Te Rata from leaving New Zealand. ’ Tupu said further discussion ' was useless, He had made up ' his mind to go, and nothing would prevent him from carrying out his intention, which had not 5 been decided upon hastily or ) without much thought. As for Te Rata he could please him--1 self. He was their king, his ; word Was law, and, as he had expressed his intention to accom- ; pany the party, he, as a loyal subject, was hound to show his respect to his overlord by acquiescing. He did not expect to be able to accomplish great ! things; but, by approaching the fountain head, he would obtain advice that would prove of great value in the future. There was no more to be said ; his decision was irrevocable. As a result the meeting broke up. Many left during the day for Orakau, while the remainder proceeded to their homes next day. ’ Those who favoured the trip to England were asked to return on the 9th instin order to take part in a fitting send-off to the “ King” and his Prime Minister, who, with the others, would leave Waahi just in time to board the “ Niagara ” at her hour of sailing.