Te Wetere and Tawhiao.

Patea Mail, 24 March 1882, Page 3

Te Wetere and Tawhiao.

Tawhiao the Maori king, recently sent-a letter to an Auckland journal, objecting to the appeals of the Mokau chief, Te Wetere, for a Native Land Court to be held in respect of Mokau lands. Tawhiao claims to have control of this part of the country, and is backed by that ever active philo-maori Mr G. 0. Davis, of Auckland. Mr C. 0. Davis advocates the interests of the King Natives with persistency, and assumes on their behalf to oppose the advances of both Government a,tid private persons to any dealings in Native lands. This opposition which Mr Davis carries to extreme lengths bring him in constant conflict with colonists who desire abetter understanding with the natives, and who wish to see the country opened for settlement. Tawhiao'bases his right to dictate respecting Mokau firstly, because the land was handed over to Potalu; and secondly, because of ancestral claims. Te Weterp combats these claims, in a letter to an Auckland journal as follows : Sir, —Salutations ,tp you 1 I have seen Tawhiao’s letter, published by Mr C.: 0. ; Davis, in your paper. Friend, listen ! In that publication there' is nothing, true.. I am wondering why that letter was published’ in the newspaper, and not sent to me, for the letter commences by saying, “ To Wetere and the Mokau people.” Your newspaper is not my place of abode. Mokau is my residence. This work is so different to the usual, custom ; that is why I am wondering how it is that a letter to me should fall , into your hands to publish. But I am glad you have published the letter, as it enables me to explain clearly my views respecting this land. Mokau. For I only now know that Tawhiao is really making a claim that he has land at Mokau. Now, you listen. That man, Tawhiao, has no interest whatever in Mokau lands. The land belongs to us who live on it. From the time of onr ancestors we have always occupied. We and our ancestors never saw Tawhiao living there. His place of abode was Waikato. T do not lay claim to any lands belonging to him. If we both went into the Native Lands Court I would not be afraid-of the result. I am always asking the Government for this (a Court), in order that the Mokau titles should be investigated. But, eventually, it will result in this, and the land will be pnt through the Court. It will then be seen to whom the land belongs. I have no fear of a Court. It is I who desired to have a Land Court, in order that it may be soon ascertained to whom the land belongs; Friend, I find fault with this European, Mr 0. O. Davis. Who appointed him, to comment upon and give advice respecting the rights and wrongs of our land ? I thought he knew the workings of the law, and he would, have advised that all Maoris should go to the law to settle their disputes. But it appears to me as though Mr Davis is a supporter of Maori customs. Friend, no European has a right to speak about our doings. The law is clear, and yon the Europeans should not try and block the road by which we the Maoris, can get our disputes re our lands settled. Friend, if Tawhiao’s talk about Mokau is on account of his kingship, still he will be wrong. You listen. When the Maori king, that is Potatau, was set up, the Mokau natives never took part in that work. They never liked the work of getting up a king. It was ,not until blood had flowed through the fighting of the pakeha and Maori, that the Mokau natives joined themselves to the king party. Not that they agreed to a king, but through the love they had for the people, in order that they should perish with the whole of the people. Now, I wish you again to listen. When Tawhiao had his March meeting at Hikurangi last year, he (Tawhiao) wanted a document, written and signed by all the tribes, giving him the control over all th’e lands. ""' Ngatimaniapoto would not ori any account agree to this;

I said, I will never agree. I there, and then left and returned to Mokau, and did not stay to the end of the meeting. Friend, if Tawhiao owned the lands of Mokau, and he has authority over them, why did he ask us to give him the land ? Sufficient. Friend, yon publish this letter in your newspaper, so that both Maoris and Europeans may see it in the same manner as all persons saw Tawhiao’s letter. . From (signed) Wetere te Rerenoa. Kihikihi, March 14, 1882.