THE PARLIAMENT OF US TWO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5348, 18 May 1878, Page 3

THE PARLIAMENT OF US TWO.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. > Sir,— l have read with interest the account of the native meeting at Hikurangi, the speeches of the King, Sir George Grey in reply, his suggestions and proposals, and the comments of the chiefs. Sir George, who knows tho.native character so: well, acted and spoke as he knew how, and his interview with Tawhiao beforehand left himi very little; to say; for the King evidently knowing what would be said, received the offers of Sir George quite coolly. He knew that he would not get back the Waikato lands, and apparently seems satisfied with the proinises made by the Premier in name of the Government. Ho has also the sense to appreciate so liberal a, provision for his futrire comfort, and with his £SOO per annum, his new, house and hall of assembly, and -his grant .'of 600 acres, reckons he’ean do very well. He also doubtless feels that the selection of sections in the townships for bis children and : his followers •will give him more anil increasing influence, and we may be sure that he looks forward with pride and satisfaction ! to the future sums in bard cash-that have been so liberally promised him for the benefit of his people. He likes the idea also of carte blanche cheques (for no limit has as yet been assigned to him), and he rejoices in the thought that his “ maina" will ■grow and increase to - an ’extent hitherto’undreamt of by him. What amount he is likely to receive is not Stated; but'he is" told that the money required; to ; make him and his people comfortable wifi; be forthcoming whenever he asks for it. Thus, with his imperial residence, his parliament house, and unlimited credit, be, will be. the sole individual to whom all his ad r . hererits and followers must look, as the cash required will be given by the Government to be at bis sole disposal, to dispense among his people according as he, and he alone, may see fit. He also .knows that he has really promised nothing iu return, and that although ho looks to Sir. George as tho dispenser of good things, be as (so,called) Maori King has acknowledged neither our Queen, nor our Government, . His agreement with the Premier is in short merely a financial arrangement made by a ; parliament of twoi He is quite ready to receive all the benefits arid influence conferred on him by the Premier of New Zealand ; but what does he give iu return 2 Why, simply nothing. ' : Only a promise to let all his subjects know, and after hearing their opinions to inform our Premier what he will then be prepared to doi, Meanwhile what do the Maoris as a whole think of all this 2 Well, time will show., There are many tribes who will not acknowledge Tawhiao as their king, and already think that too much fuss has been made, about him and his Hauhau supporters. I am also of opinion that whilst so sedulously courting the Hauhaus and their leader, the .Goyarnmerit, or its representatives, the Premier . and the Native Minister, are losing sight of, tho interests of other more deserving.tribes. . Some of these, if openly consulted, would probably tell you plainly that there was too much talking and visiting, &o.; that all the proinises were made, not to the Maoris as a nation, but only to the rebellious and unworthy. If Rewi works energetically with Tawhiao, some hopes of an arrangement may be entertained ; meanwhile many influential natives, vvho,as chiefs think themselves equal to Tawhiao, say little and feel coldly on. the subject. They tacitly acquiesce in the Premier’s measures; but others think that there is some deeper motive than “ love ” (aroha) actuating the Premier and Native Minister; and who can blame them 2 However “ all’s well that ends well,” and we will hope for tho best.—l am, &c., Pakeha-Maobi. Tongariro, May 12;