MR BRYCE AND THE NATIVES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1025, 2 November 1882, Page 1

MR BRYCE AND THE NATIVES.

The meeting was resumed on Mpnday afternoon at Whatiwhatihoe.l ’ The attendance of natives was in all rejspects smaller than that of the previous day. Rewi was present on this occasion, likewise a fair sprinkling of- Europeans, The weather was tine and, the gathering slightly picturesque. After a brief parley, in which the usual onacular demonstrations were indulged in, and in which Mr Bryce sustained his part with tolerable advantage, The Native Minister proceeded to say that now he had shown the. Maoris it would be impossible to go back upon offers made by Sir Donald McLean and Sir George Grey ,to which allusion had been made, he would proceed to tell them what the Government were prepared to do. He would speak to them in a general way, as when they came to consider details these would have to be adjusted with the chiefs and not in a public meeting. He stood there as a Minister of the Queen, and as such he had to tell them the land was not large enough for the exercise of separate independent authorities. In their tribes they might still remain great chiefs, but the sovereignity of the Queen would have to prevail irom end to end of the colony. By that he included the Queen’s laws. As a rule, these laws were good, but here and there they might bo bad. In t-he latter case what had to be done was to get them amended, but in no case could they be resisted. Referring to their land he would say to them, as had been said to the Maoris in other parts of New Zealand, one tribe after another was dispossessing itself of the land. In some case that might be right enough, but in others it was very wrong. The latter was tho evil he wished to assist to avo’d. To achieve that object certain lands should be set aside as a permanent inheritance for their children. As regarded tho remainder of the land, it should be dealt with for the benefit of the present owners. It should be brought into useful occupation, which would be beneficial to all concerned, both Maori and European. If leased for occupation, the rents would remain for their use as long as necessary. If sold, as no doubt a portion of it would bo, a considerable portion of the proceeds might be invested as an income for the native owners. All these thing might be done in a right or iu a wrong way, and he invited them to co-operate with him in getting them done properly. The Government had no particular desire to enter upon land purchases, and would merely enter upon such purchases as could be shown, to be to the benefit of both Maoris and Europeans. These matters, however, could be more effectively dealt with in private negotiation with the chiefs themselves. It was vain for them to talk about all the land transactions, sales, leases, etc., being stopped. If Sir Donald McLean could be, or Sir George Grey was, present, they would no doubt be told the same thing. As regarded Tawhaio himself, the Government was prepared to deal with him as a great chief. The Government did not. forget he had been elected by many tribes to be their leader. What he would say to to them now was ; Let us all be reasonable, and settle this matter. He would ask the Ngatimaniopotos to remember the Waikatos had been asked by them to join in the disputes which had brought great difficulty on the Waikatos, and therefore these people had claims on them. He would leave them to reflect on what he had said. After a while he would return and renew the discussion with them. In conclusion he professed Ids strong attachment to them, and assured them he was a man of his; word, and as such he meant what he said. There was no meeting on Tuesday, it being Maori Sunday. The Waikatos have sent Mr Bryce a letter stating that they had made up their minds as to what they wanted, and asking for •mother interview. A number of fc Whiti’s followers are living at Wliatiwhatihoe, and are prophesying after tn<- manner of Te Whiti. It is thought probable that the movement will increase, Mr Bryce has replied to the letter from the Waikato tribe that they had better consider what he had said to them fully, before a time was asked for a future meeting.