KING TAWHIAO'S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 144, 10 May 1879, Page 2

KING TAWHIAO'S SPEECH.

Tawhiao said—Listen, listen my grandfather's people, from the South to the North Cape. Listen elders and tribes. Listen to the word. There is no one to hurt us from one end of the country to the other. Potatau alone, the chief of you all, has a claim to this place right through. Eewi is there, but he is on one side, lon another. These are my districts, and for this reason I say the land is all mine, and it is for me to do as I like with the country. I do not conceal what I have to say. Listen attentively. A letter was received by Potatau from the Queen, informing him that Europeans were' coming to the country, and Potatau told them to stay away. Therefore, I say, Grey has no right to manage the affairs of this island. But I have the power, and do not care for any interference. I do not want these laws in my district, and that is the reason I say the thing called fighting* should be taken right away from this country. There must be no fighting here for leases or roads. All these things must be left behind. These rules to interfere with us cannot be allowed. In my districts there must be no evils whatever this clay or forever ; no, fighting this day or ever. The latest report says that the Ngapuhi chiefs have offered to construct a railway through the King Country for the Government. No doubt if such an offer was accepted they would be powerful enough to execute the work. They could muster 1500 fighting men, who would be joined by contingents Te Arawa, Ngatiparama and Wanganux, making up a total of 2500. This force would be more than an enough. Another report is that a proposal will probably be made that the land in dispute between the Government and Natives shall be vested in'trust in the Governor for the time being, and Tawhiao's lands made inalienable. The feeling amongst the -Natives is Tawhiao does not mean to be brought to book at this meeting, and that nothing will result from it. The tone of Tawhiao's speech was certainly the reverse of agreeable, and that it was' meant as a manifesto of his power over all the island, notwithstanding the independent attitude of Ngapuhis, Arawas, and other well known friendlies. Matters will be as forward to-morrow as to-day, because Tawhiao does not wish a settlement, does not desire the opening of this fine district, and will not allow surveyors to put foot upon it for the purpose, as long as he is treated pith kindness and considerationby the Government of the day. That is the opinion just now, but changes are not impossible. His present determination is evidently to hold on to the land to the exclusion of Europeans and settlement.