NATIVE DINNER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5138, 11 September 1877, Page 2

NATIVE DINNER.

A dinner in celebration of the withdrawal of the Native Lands Bill and the verdict for the plaintiff in the Waka Maori case was given yesterday. Feasts are of ancient date. The earliest feast which tradition tells «f took place in Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden. It is not generally considered a success. Let it be hoped that the one given yesterday in the Polytechnic Hall by the two native chiefs of Hawke’s Bay will be. productive of happier results. The custom of giving feasts among the Maoris has always been very generally observed. They had their Hakari Tapakuha to celebrate a marital alliance, when the bride was brought by her parents to the house of the bridegroom, and the happy knot was tied with a celerity worthy of a modern registrar of marriages. Then there was the Hakari Manuhiri, at which visitors from other parts of the island were entertained with a reckless extravagance. The Hakari Kaitaonga was a feast held during the giving or interchanging of presents, such as greenstone, native garments, and so forth. In fact, as a rule, the Maori race has a penchant for those assemblies at which men can fare sumptuously and talk much. It is therefore hardly necessary to state that the dejeuner in the Polytechnic yesterday was patronised by the native aristocracy, as well as by the European members of both Houses and other distinguished gentlemen, to a degree most satisfactory to the promoters. All the leading members of the Opposition appeared in. considerable array. Among the European and native gentlemen present we observed Sir George Grey, Messrs. Bees, Stout, Sheehan, Wakefield, Joyce, Barff, Lieut.Oolonel Whitmore, M.L.0.; Karaitiana Takamoana, Henare Tomoana, Henare Matua, Te Hapuka, Eenato Kawepo, Takairangi, Taiaroa, Wi Tako, M.L.0.; Hoaui Nahe, Hori ICaraka Tawiti. Altogether between eighty and ninety gentlemen sat down. Mr. Hoani Nahe, M.H.8., occupied the chair, supported on the right by Sir George Grey, and on the left by a native interpreter. After the repast, which had justice done it, attention was directed by the Chairman to the toasts to be proposed. In doing so he pointed out the necessity of brief speeches on the occasion, as many of the gentlemen present had their legislative duties to attend to shortly in the House.

“ The Queen and Royal Family” was proposed by Renata Kawepo, and responded to by PIBIPI, who in replying to this toast said : I am pleased'at the manner in which this toast has been proposed.; I am also pleased at this dinner, which has brought us face to face with the Europeans. X say, Eong live the Queen, and may she be a protector of those who love God and worship him in the proper way. That is all I have to say. ' Tit Hapuka at this juncture proposed “ The health of Sir George Grey,” with which the name of hia Excellency the Marquis of Nor-

manby was combined. This toast was received with acclamation. Sir George Grey replied, and said ; I have to thank you very much for having coupled my name with that of such an exalted personage. I will tell my native friends that for many years of my life I have attended to their services. I will tell them also that in me they will find a firm and fast friend to aid them in all their troubles. In proposing the toast “ The Parliament ” Henare Matua said : My good wishes to the Parliament, because I hope it will deal well with the affairs of the two races. Let them together work, and take in hand the business of making laws for the colony, so that the word said by the Queen, that the Maori and the pakeha are to become one people, will be verified, Long live the Queen, the Governor, and the members of Parliament. Mr. Taiaroa, M.H.R., responded. He said: I concur in Mr. Henare Matua’s remarks. I also say that the Parliament is doing its business in a very good way this year. I tell those gentlemen assembled here that it is well that matters affecting the Maoris should be conducted in a right and proper way, I also support the kindly wishes given to the Queen and her family. Also to the native chiefs who have given this dinner. X am gratified indeed to see so many members of both Houses here. Wi Tako, M.L.C.: lam one who has the honor of a seat in the Queen’s House—the House of Parliament. I say, May the Queen and the Governor live for many a day. Long may the Parliament exist to lead us to liffe or death. The Parliament is a great institution amongst us, for our ancestors did not possess such a gift. Through the love of our Queen to the Maoris, native members have seats in the Assembly. Her Majesty, among other acts of kindness towards us, has permitted the appointment of native assessors. It was arranged, when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, in Governor Hobson’s time, that the laws of England should prevail over the Maori race the same as over the people of the Queen. Mr. Hoex Kaeaka Tawiti, M.H.E.; I will also say a word. My people (Ngapuhi tribe) have been alwajs loyal to the Government, though dissensions have arisen now and then among the hapus. Although lam a supporter of the Government, still I am pleased at our reunion here, for this is a meeting of our own race. “ The Supreme Court” was proposed by Mr. Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.R. (Hawke’s Bay). He said : The proceedings of the Supreme Court meet with my hearty concurrence. One object of our gathering together here today is that I should propose this toast. The Government have not endeavored to guide the Maori in what was right. Bather indeed do they favor the course that the Maori should be wronged, because he is stupid and ignorant. Now for the first time I find, having gone through the Supreme Courts I have arisen, and am alive again. Hence it is I express my appreciation of the Supreme Court. Mr. St»ut and Mr. Travers were to respond to the toast. The latter was not present. Mr. Stout : I very much regret I do not speak Maori. I have to thank Mr. Karaitiana Takamoana for proposing the toast “The Supreme Court.” There was a time when our ancestors were the same as the Maoris, and would not go to Court, but settled their disputes by the force of arms. When they became more intelligent they learned to settle their differences in the Court, and they found great advantage from it. (Cries of “ Question.") So that led to the employ lo6ll * of a set of men called lawyers. (Laughter.) 1 think it is cheaper for the people to pay the lawyers than to employ men as soldiers. It is better for them to lose their money than their lives. (Much laughter.) - The toast “ Thanks for the withdrawal of the Native Land Court Bill," was proposed by Mr. Henare Tomoana (Hawke’s Bay). He said : Mr. Stout has regretted that he could not speak Maori, I have the same feelings of sorrow within me at being unable to place my thoughts in the language of the pakeha. I feel cast down in thought at the reflection that 'we 'are keeping some of. the gentlemen present from going to the House by our talk. (Cries of “Not yet; “ Allright.”) I am glad the Native Land Court Bill has been withdrawn. There was hardly an atom of good in the whole of the clauses. The Native Land Courts should become relics of the past, and the two races ought to decide what should bo done. Great trouble has arisen through lands that have been Crown-granted. My name has been mentioned in the House as being mixed up in the troubles that have taken place. lam not afraid of anything that may be said there. I should like native land purchases to be discontinued, for they are making the- natives destitute. I will now tell you about my. ancestors. Mr. Henare Tomoana here sang an ancient lay. Mr. Henare Matua : Now that the Native Land Bill knows its place no more, I say, Let the commissioners be annihilated. As the new Bill was swept away, let the European, and native commissioners be done unto in like manner. This ends my word. Mr. Takarangi, of Wanganui: Let the past close over all these things that bring wrath upon us. Let them all lie buried with the Native Land Court Bill. The toast “That both races may become one people” was proposed by Tikawenga. He said: May the two races be as the sons of one mother. That is all. Mr. Paora Tohabre, of Auckland : My words relate to the union of the pakeha and the Maori race. From the beginning when the word of the Great God was uttered that union began. At the Treaty of Waitangi the name of the Queen was spread like a mantle over the two races. There was a time when Governor Gore Browne ordered that the laws of England should be printed in the language of the Maori. That was in 1858. We were then told the two great powers were the law of God and the law of the Queen. The laws administered in these islands are through the Governor and the Parliament, and for seven years the native members have had seats in the House. All this may tend to our becoming a united people. The laws of England and the laws of God are good, and blessings will descend upon the country if those laws are properly administered. The laws -which bear upon the natives should be amended. 'Now, any friends, I say, Long live the Parliament and those who have given this feast.

Mr. Hamlin, M.H.R.; I will tell you, my friends, I quite concur in what has been said here to-day with respect to the Parliament. It is gratifying to know that those who have been born in this colony do now take part in the framing of its laws. T assure you it is our desire that justice and fairness be the guiding principle to operate in all our acts. Mr. Raniera : I rise to say I wish the two races .of this colony to become united. Behold the timbers of this house. They are many, but by skilful management they are converted into one—a united whole. Let us be like unto the house whereof I speak. Long live the members of Parliament, especially those whose sympathies are with the natives. The names of Messrs. Maoandrew and Rolleston were on the programme for responding to the above toast, but those gentlemen were not present. The toast “ That a change of Government may soon take place,” was enthusiastically proposed by Renata Kawepo. He said ; Let us have a new Government. (Laughter.) The present Government must be thrown over. The reason my thoughts are thus expressed is, that we have suffered enough from the existing Government. Therefore Isay unto youmy friends who are here assembled, if we are to be killed outright let the new Government perform the melancholy office. We have been robbed of our land. There are only two just sales in Hawke’s Bay—the sale of the Ahuriri Block and the sale at Waipuknrau. These are the only sales we consider that have been fairly made to the Queen. Therefore let the change of Government come speedily. (Laughter). I p articularly desire it. Mr. Wakefield : I quite agree with everything Benato Kawepo has said. I think the Government ought to be changed, and the sooner the better. So long as I am in Parliament I will endeavor to support the interest of the natives. 1 have much pleasure in responding to the toast proposed by Renata Kawepo. (Mr. Wakefield satjgdownJ t amidst||rapturoua applavuN).

Mr. Hori Karaka Tawiti : I am one o£ the present Government, and I intend to say a word or two, although my name is not down on the paper to respond to this toast. Ton have gleefully drunk the last toast to the effect that you want a new Government. Tell me why we should have a change 1 I should like to know the reasons. Mr. Karaitiana Takamoana : I quite con* cur in Kenata Kawepo’s remarks. If we are to be exterminated let new men do it. Mr. Wakefield endorses Renata’s views. I will endorse Mr. Wakefield’s. The next toast was “Congratulations to Mr. Russell on the vindication of his characterby the verdict in the Waka Moari case,” pro* posed by Henare Tomoana, who said : I have a great deal to approve of in Mr. Russell's conduct. May he live long, because he is strong in finding out the way to save himself. A great deal depended upon the result of the late case.' He has been condemned on account of his love to the Maori. Those natives who wrote against Mr. Russell are an insignificant lot. Arihi, who was one of these, although a great chieftainess, I say is, (.ignorant. Mr, Russell was Arihi’s. particular friend. I say, Long live Mr. Russell. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore was called upon unexpectedly to reply. He said : Dur* ing fifteen years’ residence in Hawke’s Bay I have known Mr. Russell. He has been inti* mately acquainted with the natives, and not* withstanding their naturally suspicious cha* racter, their verdict is in favor of Mr. Rus* sell, and coming from such a jury, is fully deserving of attention. The fact that Mr. Russell was universally respected by the Maoris and trusted was sufficient testimony to the estimation he was held in by them. Mr. Sheehan stated he had received a letteß from the Hon. Mr. Russell, apologising for his absence owing to severe illness consequent, Mr. Sheehan observed, upon the mental worry undergone during the past eight or nine years, through the action of the Government, who left no atone unturned, that it was little wonder Mr. Russell was ill. “The Press” was proposed by Mr. Reek; He said he had been asked to propose “ The Health of the Press.” Newspapers, he re* marked, told what took place among Euro* peans and Maoris. Although sometimes fault was found with some of the papers, alto* gether they told the truth. The Maori* might depend upon the fact that if they were wronged, the Europeans of this and the other colonies, even the Queen herself, would hear of it. A new time* was dawning upon the Maoris. So long as the Press existed he thought the Maoris would get fair play. Long live the Press, and may it be open to receive letters in its column* from the Maoris. (Mr. Rees sat down amid cheers.) Mr. Gannon in responding said he had heard many speeches from Mr. Rees, but never so thoroughly concurred in any observations made by that gentleman as he did on this occasion. Mr. Rees had said that the Press generally told the truth. That could hardly be gainsaid. It had been said that though a nation might have a despotic monarch, a corrupt Government, and a venal Parliament, if the Press were absolved from corruption, justice would be done. There was a section of the Colonial Press to which he would allude, that related to forty or fifty thousand of the inhabitants of this island, who represented much of its wealth. He r«* ferred to the Maoris. During the past three or four years they have come. to attach the greatest importance to the teaching they receive from the Maori papers. They look out for them anxiously every mail A great deal depends upon the teaching derived from that source. Maori newspapers are becoming as necessary to .the Maoris as food, and it is the duty of those who supply that literary pabulum not to serve it up in an adulterated form, Mr. White, the editor of the WaTiangtc, Mr. Gannon, of the New Zealand Times, and Mr. Grace, of the Wananga, interpreted the proceedings.