MAORI PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 405, 5 March 1879, Page 2

MAORI PARLIAMENT.

(Per Press Agency). ON the opening of the Maori Parliament, at Orakei (four miles from Auckland), on the 25th February, Paul Tuhaere said : It is now thirty-nine years since the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, including the time at which the great conference of chiefs was held at Kbhimarama, presided over by Governor Browne, who. was then Governor of New Zealand, when the articles of that treaty were repeated and confirmed by him as the Queen’s representative, in the presence of your elders and friends, who, as I have said before have gone to their long rest. It is with a view to bring those words to living remembrance that they haVo been submitted on this occasion

for your consideration, and for the benefit of ybur children after yon, having- failed on my own part to understand clearly the real intent and meaning of the ternur of that treaty. No'other object, however; is in view than that’of tnily comprehending its ; details on behalf of our children ; aifd successors hereafter, who I feel assured do \ot understand it aright. It will be well herefore for the chiefs at this assembly to consider carefully the words which were delivered by Governor Browne at the great conference which took place at Kobimarama. Let the read them aloud to you; then let each member of this assembly think 6ver well in his own mind the points of the question I now put before yon. Special occasion lias been taken to , revive these tilings, inasmuch as Sir George j Grey and Mr Sheehan have assumed the reins of government in the interests of both European and Native races, so that the people throughout these islands may witness these our deliberations, and I trust at the same that our friends of the Ngapnhi tribes, by whom the treaty was fiist signed, will not think this an attempt on our part to take from them that to which they have a prior and better claim. It is with the spirit only of the Treaty of Waitangi we now wish to deal. A word for our Maori members now sitting in the colonial Parliament may also be in season, for those especially who are without energy to bring these things into life and activity. To remedy this defect it is recommended that for the future members for each native district should be chosen and returned by an assembly such as " the one I am now addressing, whose vote shall make the only good and true election. My friends, lam most anxious that the treaty should be well discussed by you, and that you will be able to give it your best consideration. Finally, I wish to bring before you the invitations which have been sent round, inviting the chiefs, with the Europeans, to attend the important meeting at Te Kopua, on the Waipa, Waikato. There also ' will your near and younger kinsman Tawlnao (the Maori King) and Sir George Grey meet together. The chiefs of this assembly should all go, and should be present to hear and assist in the arrangements which may then be proposed and made on either side for the general good of the country and people.

February 27. The parliament to-day opened at 11 o’clock. In order to ensure brevity in the religious service Paul had substituted a new minister, who gave out the 4th hymn, followed by a prayer. Paul then ro-opened the discussion by repeating a caution he gave on the previous day, not to burden the speeches with talk about the Gospel. Let them express their grievances, so that they might be brought before Grey. Eurenua said there was both life and death in the Treaty of Waitangi. He complained that the establishment of Land Courts violated the treaty. This was the fault of both races. Tetemara said the evils which came upon the Maoris were introduced by the Missionaries, who caused them to look up to Heaven, while they took away the lands from beneath their feet. He condemned the Land Courts, which were presided over by pakehas. Te Retimara Waihi said Governor Grey had been obliged to admit that the King had grown into a tree which could not be cut down. Te Keeke said that Governor Browne had promised at Kohimarama to hold conferences, and that these conferences should be held eveiy year; but each successive Government had broken that promise, and the Maoris had been compelled to take the matter up themselves. He condemned the Native Land Court Act, 1866. Patorama said the evil of the Treat}' of Waitangi was that the Maoris afterwards became possessed of guns, and slaughtered other tribes. He thought the Government should give back the mana (right to) of the fisheries to the Ngapuhi tribe. The speaker thought the Government should give a portion of the harbor dues to the natives, because the fisheries had been guaranteed to the Maoris. Another cause of trouble to the Maoris was the Grown Grant and Road Boards. When land was granted to Government for railways, they should have only the space occupied by the sleepers. What was the use of talking to him about loyalty when he had always been loyal. Hamur would like to have the mana overthe fisheries returned. He disapproved of the sale of tens of thousands of acres in one block, which caused trouble. Let the Maoris cease to sell any more land. Kaivva Te Rongo said the natives themselves had alienated the land : the Queen did no* take it. He still retained his land. He complained that Government had only paid £3OO for a piece of land at Papurari of 3300 acres. He hoped Mr Sheehan would look into that. Te Hemara Tawhiao said the Queen was the cause of the trouble, because she sent missionaries, who made all the trouble. He complained of the Queen’s mana being over his land at Piako. He thought Paul should be elected for the district, to make known its grievances He did not think the Government had there showed any love for the Maoris. Te Hotea said he was determined not to pay any Road Board rates. Tamihama thought a Maori member should be elected for the district.

Paul said he was in no huny with the business, as he desired to give the people at Te Kopua time to build their new house for the meeting in March. ■ He proposed that the meeting should adjourn until to morrow.

The meeting was then adjourned. The proceedings to-day were more lively. There are many Europeans present—Mr Swanson, M.H.R., and several others ; also several ladies. The discussion will be resumed to- morrow when the relations betwen the Kingites and the Government will probably be diacussed.