MAORIS IN MEETING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 395, 13 September 1911, Page 5

MAORIS IN MEETING.

GREAT GATHERING AT TE KUITI.

The great gathering of Maoris which was held at Te Kuiti during Saturday and Sunday last attracted visitors from ail parts of the islands,

and some very valuable speeches were contributed by various native members of the race. After the visitors had been formally welcomed on Saturday and had taken their seats, Hone Taonui Hetete announced an adjournment until luncheon had been taken, after which

Hone Te Hetete spoke a few words of welcome and announced the objects of the meeting, which included the discussion of 1. Maori brotherhood. 2. Laws of the countrv.

3. Religion. Pepene Eketone welcomed the different tribes and chiefs of Aotea Koa (North Island) and Te Waipounamu (South Island) as descendants of the chiefs and eiders that had departed. They wanted to establish their Maori brotherhood, the prize left; behind in the days of old, which they were forgetting. They were anxious to establish that brotherhood. They had two fountain-heads Mahuta and Sir James Carroll —and if they, as a people, could not settle the question it should be referred to their leaders. Religion must be the fountain of their principles. He urged them to combine together and help themselves, because the pakeha power was increasing and that of the Maori was waning. Addressing Sir James Carroll and the chiefs, the speaker said authority had been given them and they stood on the pinnacle of honour given by the powers of the pakeha. But not by that, power alone. It had descended from their Maori ancestors to them. The Maori people appreciated the care their leaders showed for the interests of the people. They were to discuss Maori brotherhood, something not yet truly shown. His part had been to call the people of the islands together. Te Kuiti was the home of King Tawhiao, where lie called the people and chiefs to meet together. But they did not come, and now he (the speaker) was calling to the people from Te Kuiti (The Narrows) to draw together and establish one Maori brotherhood. He pieaded with the chiefs to carry this matter through, and if they could not do it, then it must be referred to Sir James Carroll and King Mahuta. They were only a small people, fast diminishing in these days, with their lands going and their people disappearing. In olden times they were a noble people. He urged them to establish themselves before they were merged i in the people of the worl'l. Their I greatness was of old, and was not pur- i chased with gold or silver.

Then followed the musical chant taken part in by Tawioa, Fotatau and Te Whiti.

A. T. Ngata said the East Coast natives were present in response to the invitation. The subjects for discussion were most important. In the early days, when their elders—Tonumanga, Te Keringa, Wahanui, Hanauru, and other* —• were alive, they maintained and upheld the dignity of the people,now almost neglected and allowed to die out. He looked back on the past with feelings of sorrow and sympathy. He would nut want to hear the discussion before approving of the proposal, lest their deliberations should prove futile, as there were many who belonged to the different canoes of these islands who were not present; and who perhaps might oppose the proposals. He wished to know how they were to proceed to gain Maori brotherhood. He agreed with Te Kahupukoro, who said it was impossible to revert to their old customs. What could they do to maintain Maori prestige and what was there in their present-day customs which remained original? Was their language even pure? Their Tapu (sacredness) was being desecrated and their songs, chants and pyetry were being forgotten. It was for the Ngatimaniapotos who had convened the meeting to formulate a scheme; Sir James Carroll, who held the position of elder in place of those grand old men who had departed, should be calic-d. Pie held the honour bestowed or. him by the King, which reflected credit upon himself and the native race. The position of the Waikato3 was different, through the confiscation of their lands, as also the Taranaki people and those of the East Coast and Tauranga, through the confiscation of their lands. Consequently the people's grievances were not alike. The Ngapuhia were the only people who raided every part of New Zealand. Religion was a matter that was excepted, but their Maori brotherhood had been negiected. He asked them not to be offended at his words, as his desire was that they should be united in holding their land. He referred to the Treaty of Waitangi, which was prepared as a covenant between their elders and the Government of England, and had been handed down to them and formed the basis of all their leigslation. lie recalled the time whan that district was formed into the Rohe Potae, and was intended to be confined purely to Maoris and Maori customs. In his opinion they should work together with the Europeans, so that they might acquire their good methods. They should follow their example, and till the soil. Ho asked them to support Sir James Carroll, who was a man very much abused and with enemies who had not the courage to show themselves.

Sir James Carroll approved of the whole suggestion, which was a matter entirely apart from politics, and rested entirely with themselves. He. fully approved of their endeavours to find out, some common platform, in which all the people could be united. He referred to the associations and combinations and the brotherhood which existed amongst Europeans, formed in ancient times and existing to this day all over the world.

After a general discussion, when various speakers spoke in approval of (lie cause of the. -meeting, the meetinp; adjourned to resume in the evening, Hari Hemara in the chair.

Pepene Eketone proposed and .lobsi Ormsby seconded: "That; in (he opinion of this nieet,im;, the time has arrived when the whole of (lie n" lives throughout Zealand should unite and endeavour to work upon or adopt some, principm of Maori brotherhood, the. objects of which should not, conflict with 'lnlaw of the country or the. churches, and mutters afi'ectinp; the local conditions of each tribe."

A number of people spoke approvingly of the. motion which was even tually put and carried unanimously. John Ormhsy proposed tb.at the following be appointed a committee' to carry out the objects of the meetinir, namely : —Apirana Ni;aia, blast wnast; Tunui Aran;;!, Wairarapa; IV Kshupukoro, Taranaki; To. Kakakura, Waikanae; Rero Nikifini, Levin; flue Te fluri. Marton; TotsNae, Te Hawera; Tahuat.a, l'e iiawera..: Pr Pomare, Taranaki; Pepene Eketone. Te Kuiti; Tani Wetere, Kawbis; Hekemaru, Koiorua : Ilohopa Iwaitaitana. Hauraki: Oheno Paora. Orakoi; Eruera te Kaiiu, W:in;;anni: Wharara. Raglan: Tairakena, Waikato: be Hawhi t: i. Nj;aru awa h i a.; Ta w!iiri ni a - tea, Te Akau; with power to add to their number. Seconded by Mat.aitana and carried.

Popenc Ekotono moved and Hero Nikitini seconded. "That v. copy of the resolutions passed by (his mooting be forwarded to Kin;; Mahnta and Sir James Carroll, asking them to further the cause and assist, to lay down a platform —Carried.