NATIVE MEETING AT WAIHOKI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 135, 9 June 1871, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING AT WAIHOKI.

o The Hawke's Bay Herald gives an interesting account of a native meeting at which Mr. McLean was present. The natives, it appears, are dissatisfied with themselves for having parted with their lands on what they now think were too easy terms. The following few extracts from some of the speeches will give an idea of the temper of the meeting, and of? the difficulty Mr. M'Lean must have experienced in dealing with the chiefs who •were present. Te "Waka Takahari, addressing the Native Minister said, after some preliminary remarks — The land was made over to you by your desire, and when you introduced pakeha^ amongst us, we said ' This is good,' but the law has been the means of depriving us of our land — it is gone. We have met with injustice; we hope to get justice from you— for this reason, I compare you to the sun and the moon, from whence comes light. We are augry iv our thoughts. The laws have occasioned the loss of our land. Look around you at the extent of the territory of our parents. Towns are receiving their nourishment from our property; the pakeha occupies our homes. What is now my position ? If I desire a biscuit only, I am asked * Have you any money ? ' But my lauds are not yet all gone — secure to me what is left. Secure to me the portion which remains." Another chief said, " 0 ! Mr. M'Lean, why did you not come sooner ? Under our old Maori system I was alive and could speak in the disposal of my iands, but the Lands Court killed me. I have not been permitted to speak in the Court about my property in the bush (Pakiaka) although lam an owner. Nevertheless the pakeha shall not have it. I will not take up arms; I will use lawful means. That which I have fairly given up I do not desire again; but the pakeha has unfairly taken our property." Several other chiefs followed in the same strain, and then Tareha, the exM.H.R., spoke, and after alluding to the object of the meeting, referred to his Parj| liamentary experience concluding a long speech as follows : — " I believe that I was not altogether a useless member. I took a part in business connected with Turanga and other places. But, on my return here, I could not ansjver. all the enquiries of the people. I told them the pakehas understood the business of the House better than I did. It is perfectly true what these old men say — that you and our old men have brought this trouble upon us by bringing Europeans ! here. ,, W# did nb.fc, enquire, their names or character, but accepted them as they came. When I was in Parliament I spoke of this matter, the

loss of our lands — and when asked the reason, I said, — 'Rum; rum has dispossessed ÜB.'" . The hon. Mr. M'Leau in reply to their various grievances made a lengthy speech from which we make the following extract : — It will be the endeavor of the Government, as far as lies in its power, to remedy some of the grievances of which you complain respecting your lands, and any suggestions made by your chiefs will be duly considered. My own impression is that many of the evils which have befallen you are more attributable to the desire for rum than to the Land Courts or other causes mentioned by you. I have repeatedly cautioned the chiefs on ibis subject, and I trust that the warning you have had, resulting from the experience of the evils attending upon this longing for rum, may not be lost upon you. By following industrial pursuits, practising a greater amount of self-denial, and refraining from the use of spirits and unnecessary luxuries, the natives of Heretaunga had an opportunity of living side by side with Europeans on friendly terms, without any fear of being dispossessed, and it is the duty of the chiefs to exert themselves a little more and restrain their followers from indulgence in habits of vice, which invariably lead to destitution and want. ****** The present state of most of the tribes in the Northern Island promises well for a better understanding between the European and Maori; within the last year various tribes have given in their adhesion to the Government, and have expressed themselves favorable to its policy. It is to be hoped that such misunderstandings as have unhappily happened in the last few years, will become rarer and rarer, and that before long all tribes will realise how much to their advantage it is to take part with the Europeans in opening up the country for settlement." The Jiorero ended with a bountiful repast of baked beef, potatoes, kumeras, taras, bread and butter, and tea, provided for the occasion by Tareha.