PEACE PRESERVATION BILL.

Patea Mail, 9 June 1882, Page 4

PEACE PRESERVATION BILL.

The Hon. John Bryce, replying to speakers in the debate on the Peace Preservation Bill, in the Assembly, said he had been accused of harshness to the Maoris, but he did not think this could be borne out ; nor could it be stated that he had pressed hard on Te Whiti. The speech of Sir George Grey reminded Mr Bryce of what that gallant gentleman had been in his youthful days, and was a credit to him. He did not think one particular alteration could be made without destroying the usefulness of the Bill. Te Whiti was told that a redaction of 10,000 acres would be made on account of the trouble that had been given, from the two large reserves, but that Government would deal liberally with them in regard to smaller reserves. In his opinion the reduction of the 5,000 acres on the Waimate Reserves had such a good effect that there would be no trouble there in the future. They would not run the risk of los ng any more. It was the full intention of the Government to carry out the intentions of the Commissioners, but the Government would not give the Maoris the reserves, whether they behaved themselves or not. They would, however, treat them kindly and liberally. The bon. member for Mount Ida had delivered a good speech, but it was founded on a misconception, when he stated that Te Wind’s people had never been in rebellion. He asserted positively that Te Whiti had incited others to rebellion, and he was aware that the whole of his hapu or tribe had been in active rebellion to a man. He believed that Te Whiti himself bad also been in rebellion. , Mr Bryce then read letters frbmTe Whiti, which had been sent to the Home authorities .by Sir George Grey when Governor, to shew that Te Whiti had expressed rebellious sentiments even then, while Tohu had followed the same course. The hon. member concluded by saying that Te Whiti had stated positively that he had not authorised Wi Parata to act as attorney for him, or to employ counsel for him at bis trial or before the House.