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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5435, 28 August 1878, Page 2

Long ago we said that we were looking anxiously for light on the subject of the friendly relations at last established, at Hikuranga and at Waitara, between the great Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes and Kawana Kerei, as the correspondents of the “Wananga” style our Premier. In his opening speech on the 26fch July last her Majesty’s Representative, whom we may venture without disrespect to designatein Maori phrase Kawana Nobjianbv, promised to “Honorable Legislative Councillors and gentlemen of the House of Representatives” that papers upon this most important subject would be laid before them. Up to this time, however, the promise of his Excellency has not been redeemed. We have ourselves endeavored to supply the official deficiencies, and have from time to time received and published “papers,” not always parliamentary in tone, but yet truthful and interesting, which have thrown a good deal of light upon dark places, and have served as interpretations of the meaning veiled in the obscurity of the figurative Maori style of language so often used to conceal the true thought and purpose of the speaker. Yesterday an Auckland correspondent, who writes as one well informed in Maori tikanga, showed us that friendly re!a : tions haying been at last established, it was quite in conformity with Maori etiquette that there should be no interference on the part of one great chief with the arrangements of another great chief, and that the eager purchaser of friendly relations should be left to be operated on in detail by the “ chieftains.” In that case William Kino will probably require the Beil Block and Tatararaaka to be restored to him, and will ask for the official residence of _ the late Superintendent of Taranaki .. as a town house. Te Whiti would naturally like the Waimato plains, and Titokowaru the place at which he made his famous luncheon and left his compliments for the pakehas. To-day we print another paper giving a native version, which has all the marks of truthfulness about it, of the dialogue in the Parliament of “us two” at Hikurangi, and at the first meeting with Rewi at Puniu, and also giving a figurative bub exceedingly graphic idea of tho mode in which the diplomatic aboriginals have metaphorically “ roped” “ Kawana Kerei.” We venture to express a hope that the promise of his Excellency the Governor will be fulfilled at once, and that tho Government will lay papers before Parliament which will show exactly the nature of the obligations they have incurred and the price they have undertaken to pay for tho settlement of a difficulty which in any serious form had long ceased to exist. It will bo found that Sir George Grey’s “ whistle ” has been a very expensive purchase, as well as being a very unnecessary one, and that it would have been better if he could have allowed tho Native Minister to do his own work without interference.