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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4129, 15 June 1874, Page 2

A TET.EGU.vii, plainly enongb worded but not altogether intelligible, comes from Alexandra. The public wore aware that tho Kingites were about to meet in that neighborhood fortho purpose of discussing their political condition and rights, and that they were to be mot by To Wheoro, a friendly native, and Mr. Barton, on the part of the Government, though nothing has transpired as to tho nature of the commission of these agents. We are now informed that the place of meeting was Waitomo ; that all the leading Kingites, excepting the chiefs of one tribe, and that certainly the most powerful of all, wore present; and that certain nntenable propositions were made, and certain concessions given or promised, as to which the public will, no doubt, bo glad to hear more. Whether Tawhaio spoke for himself, or only through his supporters, does not appear, but wo are told that Manuhiri, who has long boon tho x )ro P of the Native king, and who has been understood to bo tho uncompromising opponent of the whites all through this long contest over the Maori idea of a King, adhered to his policy to the last, insisting that tho King should be acknowledged as the Sovereign of Now Zealand, as far as tho Native tribes are concerned. Of course this claim was out of the question, and, we may presume, not regarded in the instructions with which tho delegates of tho whites set out. In all probability it was put forward as a claim neither expected nor hoped to bo admitted, but iu the expectation that it might secure that something less, which theNativcsdidreallyexpeotto obtain; just as a preposterous price is charged by some traders iu the anticipation that by making an exorbitant demand, something more than the real value of the article may be obtained from a customer. Wo take it for granted that Manuhiri’a proposition was at once rejected. The next proposition seems to havo be<3n, that Tawhaio should bo recognised as a sort of Superin-tendent-after the manner, perhaps, of the superintendency of Provinces—over his own people. This, apparently, was To Whooro’s idea of a compromise, and if such a recognition would satisfy the ambition of the Native King, and if his people wore willing to accept him as a representative in their relations with tho governing powers, there need, perhaps, be little objection to tho concession. Tawhaio’s power would not by any means go so far as that of “ the pit and gallows,” which tho old Scottish barons exorcised; for tho relation of a New Zealand chief to his people appears to havo resembled more that of a feudal chief to his clansmen than of a baron to his retainer or tenant. Wo arc told that the Natives at tho Waitomo meeting wore far more tractable than they have been in times past. Wo can quite understand this. The late meeting in this Province, at which everything like armed opposition to tho Government was abandoned, and the understanding arrived at that the idea to bo worked out was a proper representation of tho Native race in tho Houses of Parliament, must have proved to Tawhaio, and oven tho loss impressionable Manuhiri, that all that was left for the dispossessed people of Waikato was to endeavor to make tho best terms they could with tho Government, and secure as much of their forfeited lauds as would enable them to settle down once more on soil of their own, and act on,tho advice of To Kooti, to plant potatoes, catch fish, and otherwise tako their ease and comfort. This, no doubt, is the direction in which Native matters are tending. Their frequent meetings of late show that tho Maoris thoroughly understand tho situation, and read tho signs of tho times accurately. They know tho valuo of possession of tho soil, and the importance which wealth, represented by tho land, is, and will bo, to them. They aoo that, without tho whites, oven land would bo comparatively worthless to them; but with tho pakeha as a purchaser, a tenant, or a neighbor, their importance would bo increased, their possessions become of enormously enhanced valuo, and their own domestic comfort something very different from what it was a few yoax-a ago. To Whooro is said to bo waiting at Waitomo for an answer to communications to the Government on tho subject. It would not seoixx to bo necessary that any agents sent to moot tho Maoris should wait for any further instructions than they havo already received, if they havo boon instructed at all. When a proposition for more Maori members comes from tho Maori people, it will no doubt bo received and discussed on its merits. Tho bi'owns as well as tho whites are subjects of her Majesty; and for those of them who still assume an attitude of hostility, or hang back fx-oin allegiance from false pride, or dread of their reception, oxdreams of possible greatness to come in a Maoriland for tho Maoris, there is nothing but submission. To Wheoro and his European companion xxxay bo sinoox-ely desirous of ending tho difficulty, and pouring water on the last sparks of disaffection in Waikato, but it is perfectly clear that they cannot pledge tho Government to any other than very small concessions. The mooting at Waitomo would end, it was oxpcctod, on Tuesday, and no doubt will do so,_ whatever may bo tho conditions on which To Whooro may persuade tho King to leave his seclusion, and show himself once more among tho friendlies and the whites.

His “kixxgdom” has passed away, never to be restored. Those who assembled there are in quite a different position from the tribes that met lately in the north-eastern district of this Provixxce, in the Auckland dislx-iot at Ohiixe-xxxux-i, and in Hawke’s Bay. The Waikato Kingites have yet to petition the Government for consideratioix in the matter of laxxd. Those who assembled at the other meetings we now refer to were tho possessors of their own countries, and tlxeir business was of a different and proper sort. They had political privileges to ask for, and they resolved to do so iu a constitutional way, and as their white neighbors would havo to do. They bad also grievances of a trivial kixxd to deal with ixx tho matter of their land ; axxd it is not difficult to understand why they arc opposed to more selling of laud, though they may lease it, xxxxtil the individuality of tho Native title has been arranged.