MAORIS AND THEIR LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 12, 11 January 1907, Page 3

MAORIS AND THEIR LANDS.

Uaioa of King Country and ' Waikato Natives. In connection with the Native land difficulty, which has come'prominently before the public of late, the Maoris have hdd a number of meetings recently. At Otorohanga, on Christmas Day, when about seven hundred Natives were present at the opening of the new meeting house, advantage was taken of the occasion to discuss the matter. The main feature of the meeting was the discussion as to the desirability of unionism between two distinct parties —one supporting Mahuta and calling themselves " Kingites," and the other supporting the Maori Council, and favouring the recent Government legislation with regard to Native lands. In the opening speeches on behalf of the Ngatimaniapoto, Messrs John Ormsby and Pepene Eketone stated that they would be glad to allow Hotutaua Wetini, a chief, and leader of Kingites, to propose as to how the Union should be formed, and furthermore, that they would be led by him, provided he would propose anything feasible, and outline a practical programme which would operate for the advancement of the Maori,_ and the general population of the King Country, Waikato, and various other Maori districts, and their inhabitants throughout the colony. Hotutaua Wetini, in reply, said as they were holding a very big meeting at Te Kuiti on New Year's Day he would think over the matter and refer it to his ardent supporters, and give his answer then. The question was reopened at Te Kuiti and further discussed, when Messrs Ormsby, J. T. Hetet, H. Hetet, Moerua, Arahuia, Huirau, Hauparoa, Kingi Wetere and several others spoke. Not being amicably settled, the question was again raised by Hari Hemara (a young chief) and Anaru Eketone, at a meeting held at Te Pukahu, Hangatiki, on January 4th, where there ' were five hundred Natives assembled. After a lot of lengthy explanations, the several chiefs came to some settlement, though not quite satisfactory, but promising beneficial developments.

For the last few years,' ever since the Council boundaries between the Waikato and Maniapoto were discussed and determined, there has been a distinct marlrof difference between the Maoris who are supporting the King, and those who support the Government methods. The Kingites being in the majority, the Government supporters have given in, with the hope of establishing Union so that they may pull together. With the approval of the meetingassembled, Hari Hemara and Anaru Eketone (Mr Ormsby and Pepene Eketone not being present) put everything in Hotutaua Wetini's hands so that he might be able to refer the matter to Mahuta Tawhiao Potatau Te Wherowhero, at a meeting to be held at Tauwhare, Cambridge, on February I2th next, but Hotutaua Wetini, supported by Tuwhakaririka, said they would rather see a dis.tinct line between the two parties, so that they might discuss their own matters, and they were prepared to put up with consequences. Then Hari > Hemara stood up and said : " Now that your leader Hotutaua Wetini is loath to come forward and move to our advancement, who is there among you who could refer this matter to the Honoured Gentlemen?"

A hardy old chief (Tarahuia, of Oparure, Te Kuiti) stepped forward and spoke : " I am a true supporter of Mahuta; for years I have allowed Hotutaua Wetini to be my leader in supporting the dignity of our Maori King and people ; for years we haive been quarrelsome, and for years we liave been longing to have union, not only among ourselves, but with our Pakeha friends. It was a big task and undertaking, and I have been consistant in my stubornness with the Council and other affairs, because of my wish to be under one chief and have the Maori factions blended into one harmonious body. Now almost all at once I am being compensated ; given the privilege to ,»ct and suggest, and carry the people to that land of advancement. In reply to my grandson (Hari Hemara) and your leaders, I would take this most important matter and refer it to Mahuta, knowing full well that our Union is once and for all consumated." It was then decided to refer the matter to the meeting at Tauwhare, on February 12th, when Mahuta will be present. Among those present at the meeting were : —Te Whero Whero Tawhiao, Kingi Wetere, Hari Hemara, Whare Hotu, Tarahuia, Anaru Eketone, Hcne Taonui Hetet, Hauparoa, Moerua, Huirau, Hongihongi, Taonui Hikaka, Haupokia, Hotutaua Wetini, KitePaiaka,Tukua Eketone, Mehana Tuhoro, Tawhiwhi Tekanawa, Tutunui Tekanawa, Tuku Tarewa and several others.