TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 989, 22 October 1881, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(from our own correspondents). Wellington, Oct. 19. Mr. Bryce has arrived by special invitation from the Government, and is now in hourly consultation with Ministers. It is expected a. forward movement will be made on Parihaka before the end of this week. Te Whiti and Tohu’s speeches yesterday at the monthly meeting at Parihaka, are interpreted as hostile to the Government. Oliver was sworn to-day before Prendergast, member of Executive Council, his appointment to Legislative Council will be delayed until dissolution of Parliament, in order to avoid the necessity of a double election. Mr. Travers, one of the candidates for Tears, has retired from the contest on the ground that Mr. Chas. Johnson standing on same platform as himself, if both go to the poll, they will split one anothers votes. Thursday, 20th Oct. An important Government proclamation, was issued at 10 o’clock last night, calling upon Te Whiti to conform to the Queen’s laws, failing which in fourteen days, he and his followers are warned of consequences. The proclamation is a lengthy one, the following being the principal clauses :—For nearly two years past, the Government have been endeavoring to bring about a satisfactory conclusion to the difficulties on the West Coast of the North Island, and to effect settlement of lands as would enable Europeans and Maoris to live together in peace. In January, 1880, the Royal Commission appointed in accordance with a desire of Parliament to enquire into the claims and grievances which exist on the part of the Natives, in reference to such lands, so that any just grounds of complaint might be removed, and peace be firmly established. The Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson, in his proclamation announcing the appointment of the Commission, said the confusion then existing could not be allowed to continue, and, in the name of the Queen, called on all Her Majesty s subjects to assist him in bringing about friendly relations between the two races. Parliament approved of the proposals of the Commissioners, and the Government have taken steps to give effect to them. In the case of Natives who frankly accept them, some have already received Crown grants for the land allotted them. The Commissioners proceeded to make their inquiries recommended setting aside for the Natives and a fair and suitable portion of land to be given them on condition of loyalty, accepting the proposiof the Government, and Jiving according to law upon lands so allotted them. Te Whiti and those who choose to obey his word held aloof from this work ; they have persistently neglected and caused others to neglect the op-

portunity offered them, and have repeatedly rejected proposals made with the hope of settlement; lastly, he refused to listen to proposals made in person by Ministers of the Crown, and did so in a manner which could leave no doubt as to his intention to resist the law. This action has done great wrong to his own people as well as to the colony generally. Through his words, numbers of Natives are kept back from obtaining lands which would otherwise be given to them, and numbers of strangers who never had any interest in the lands at Parihaka to the detriment of the people of that place; month after month Natives are assembled from a distance ; they are making themselves poor by contributing to useless expenditure upon feasts which take them away from their own homes, and they are led to neglect the cultivation of their own lands. At these meetings Te Whiti has spoken in such a way as to turn aside the people from listening to the proposal of the Government, and the sound of his voice has unsettled the minds of the people. Recently his words were such as to promote angry feelings and incite open resistance to'the law. This was followed in defiance of the law, and in spite of warnings by offi-4 cers of the Government by the erection of fences on land not set apart for Natives, and by Te Whiti’s orders his followers assembled in such numbers, and under such circumstances, as plainly to show their determination to jesist the law when the fences should be removed by order of the Government. Thus a great wrong is being done to Natives as well as Europeans, and the confusion which the Government said must cease is still prevailing. The language used by Te Whiti, and the threatening attitude assumed by his followers, have caused apprehensions among the settlers, and compelled the Government to incur great expense, and to increase largely The numbers of the armed constabulary. Te Whiti and bis adherents must now accept the proposals of the Government, or all that they might now have, under these proposals will be beyond their reach. In the Parihaka Block, 25,000 acres are re- ■ commended by the Comtnisioners as ample provision for the Parihaka people, besides other reserves on the seaward side of the road. About the latter Government was willing to consider the wishes of the Natives. But the Government now state plainly that these offers will, after fourteen days, be withdrawn unless accepted within that time. Te Whiti and his adherents signify their acceptance of them and their willingness to submit to the law of the Queen, and to bring their claims before the Commissioners; if they do so, the recommendations of the Commissioners, and the promises made will be liberally intrepreted and fulfilled, should the Natives be so infatuated as to disregard this warning, the Government will proceed to make roads throughout the Parikaka block, and to lay off lands for European occupation inland of the main road. Claims of such Natives under previous promises will then have passed away, and none of them will be allowed to occupy lands in defiance of the law ; the Queen and the law must be supreme at Parihaka, as well as elsewhere.

Te Whiti and his people are now called upon to accept the proposals made to them, which would give large and ample reserves to the people ; if they do not do this, they, alone, will be responsible for the passing away from, them, for ever, of lands which are still preferred by the Government, and for the great evil which must fall on them. In conclusion, the Maoris residing on the West Coast, who wish to live in peace with the Europeans, are earnestly requested to listen to these words of great importance to them. Te Whiti and those who adhere to him have hitherto refused to listen to the proposals which have been made by the Government at Te Whiti’s instance. Numbers of Natives are keeping aloof from the work of peace, and the word of the Government now is that those who wish to accept the offers which have been made should leave Te Whiti if he neglects this final opportunity now offered to him; they should go to those lands which have been set aside for them. All visitors should return to their homes, in order that they may not be involved with those who are working confusion, and may not suffer with them. If this warning is neglected, Wio can distinguish between those who desire

peace, and those whose work leads to disaster ? The innocent and the guilty may suffer together, and this is not the desire of the Government.. Mr. Bryce was sworn in yesterday as Native and Defence Minister. The Emerald, man-of-war, arrived at midnight, from Fiji, with His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, on board. The Government, it is stated, have decided to accept more recruits for the A. C. force, and, in the event of hostilities, the Natives may rely solely on the Volunteer forces opposing them. Wellington, Oct. 21. The Hinemoa is under orders to leave this evening for Opunaka with 50 or 60 Armed Constabulary. Gratifying telegrams have been received from Major Mair with regard to Tawhiao’s attitude, especially with respect to the railway extension. In the interview with Major Mair Tawhiao expressed great interest in the railway construction, and gave utterance to the hope that Alexandra would be found a suitable port of departure for the extension of the railway southward, instead of Te Awamutu. His people are still cultivating very largely. Tawhiao also inspected the new bridge just built, and intimated his pleasure at such works being carried out. Mr. Bryce has arrived at Wanganui, where he remains to-day, proceeding to Opunake tomorrow, on his way to the Pungarehu camp Among the promotions recently made in A.C. Force, at the “ front,” may be mentioned those of Sergeant-Major Powell, from the East Coast, and Sub-Inspector Gordon. The latter has been appointed Adjutant of the Constabulary in that district, and the former has been promoted to the rank of Sub-In-spector. The strength of the force at Pungarehu is 358. A strong feeling exists here at the action of Governor Gordon refusing to affirm Judge Prendergast’s proclamation re Te Whiti. He is trying to urge Ministers to resign. A Cabinet Meeting was held this afternoon, it was stormy. , Ministers are firm, an important crisis is pending. Ministers and the Governor have cablegrammed their views to the British Ministry.

Some surprise has been created by the discovery that Bryce’s appointment as Native Defence Minister was not notified in the Gazette issued to-day. The absence of this notification is freely commented upon. Auckland, Oct. 20.

Mr. DeLias has engaged Wybert Reeves to play a season at the Theatre Royal. •Dr. Lemon arrived by the Ringarooma yesterday to superintend the opening of the Telephone Exchange, which already has thirty subscribers. The Auckland Meat Preserving Company are about to send a trial shipment of their meat to England. Oct. 22nd. Mr. John Shepherd has announced himself a candidate for Rodney, in opposition to Mr. Seymour George. Mr. Richard Hobbs addressed a meeting of electors at Kawakawa, Bay of Islands, and was well received. Mr. Frank Lowry contests South Franklin against Mr. Hamlin. Oamaru, Oct. 22. T. Duncan is out for Waitaki. Mr. James Ashcroft, editor of the Otago Times is mentioned as a probable candidate for Oamaru. Mr. Shrimski will also stand. Mr. McNeill has formally notified his candidature for W aiha.