SYDNEY TAIWHANGA.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 238, 21 January 1888, Page 8

SYDNEY TAIWHANGA.

Byi>ney Taiwhanga has altered hfs opinion respecting the present Government. Some weeks ago Atkinson asked him whether he could attend the centennial celebration in New South Wales, in company with other members of the New Zealand Legislature, and he al one© replied , that he would go. Sydney counted that he would be able to pay his expenses oufcof asum of £100 which he alleges Government owe him on account of the purchase of the I'arahirahi block, Bay of Islands, but although he has plagued the lives out of Atkinson, Richardson and Mitohelson, he has been unable to obtain the amount, or any portion of it, and, in consequence, he is without funds to go aci'oss to New South Wales. In a letter to the 11 Evening Post " the irrepressible member for the Northern Maori District writes his indignation at what he considers very ungenerous treatment. He first of all explains that Government will not give him the £100 as they maintain that, being a member of the House, a breach of the Corrupt Practices Act would be coranutted if he received the amount. He points out that no breach of - law could possibly be committed, as it was sold 17 months before he was elected to the House. Ho also accuses the Premier and Native Minister of preventing him from obtaining the sum of £220, received by Go,vernment on account of native leases at Kotorua. He then goes on to Bay : "It is hardly to be wondered that natives have 16st all confidence in their dealing with New Zealand responsible Government, and the sooner natives get up a monster petition to the House next session in support of my Maori Relief Bill, so that \v« may be able to' go to England jto inquire "* into the b/each • o£ the Treaty of Wmtangi, and of the 71st8ecfcion of the New Zealand Constitution Act, 1882, so as to pass measures empowering the Maoris to have a local self-government to I manage their own affairs and lands, the better. Why should, not we Madris be treated as BritislfsubfectsV having ttfe.frpe j ri£tit to' deal\with pur own lands aipd pro;" pdrties to' the; best advantage like the Europeans ? The, Government protection is lilfe the wolf arid this, lamb. , ' They profeW &o protect \w* but swallpy s.us arid pur lands.; - The' \ jtfatiye 'Minister is | actually otf latids- at the jßliiff called Maunganui on which he is said to' be making £2,000 clear a year in kauri gum. Although the land is not legally the proPeisy.P e i$y. ,pf , the^&ov.ernment, but. is ..legally owne'df by my sub tribe, P. S. Aporo Pc 1 Pipitipi, finding that the only cause of the Native Minister's refusal for not paying him this money, £120, is because through me the Native Minister knew that if he pay this money to Aporo he will give half of it to Sydney Taiwhangb.' He would then have been able to proceeded the banquetin Sydney ;in the s.s. Mararoa last Friday. Aporo I then took with him the landlord and his , wife to the Native Minister's office to ask ' him to give a cheque of £36 to that landlord for his board and lodging out of this i £120. This also he refused, and the Native | Minister was overheard by a friend telling to one of the messengers that *if Sydney Taiwhanga comes here again, you.. tell him I do not want to see him here any i moie.' I am '. thankful for the compliment. As soon as the landlord saw that j there was no hope for his money (£36), he went straight down to the Court, got the summons out for both Aporo and myself, but I begged him not to sue Aporo except I myself, and I am served with the summons ; accordingly. It will come off next Thurs- ! day, the 19th inst."