THE NATIVE MINISTER IN THE WAIKATO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1027, 7 November 1882, Page 3

THE NATIVE MINISTER IN THE WAIKATO.

Mr Bryce met Tawhiao at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning in the big house at Whatiwhatihoe, some 300 persons being present. Tawhmo said the people were there to listen, not to speak. He would keep on his own side, but would be willing to learn from the Europeans. He had not from the beginning been separated from the Queen. He Joved the pakeha, but he must keep his ' mana.' Mr Bryce said this was the day for a decisive answer, which had not been given. The proposals were so good and liberal that he would be blamed through parts of the colony for making them. If they were accepted they must be so in plain words, and not in dark sayings. If not accepted to-day they would be definitely withdrawn. He did not expect that he should ever think it right to make them again. He left this aftenroon for Auckland, and should take Lis proposals with him. He was entitled to a plain answer.

Tawhiao said with much deliberation, quite solemnly : "It is good ! It is good ! Go back and think over what is said. Don't take your proposals with

you."

Mr Bryce said Tawhiao expected him to turn the proposals over in his mind. In other words, Tawhiao wished to keep his < mana' as King. He told him and his tribe if this was the end, a dark day for Tawhia* and his people had dawned. The opportunity was passing away. He spoke in love to the people, and should leave in deep sorrow if his offers were rejected. If there was any man of influence there, a friend of Tawhiao, let him stand up and urge the acceptance of the proposals. If he went away thus he should leave much cause for sorrow behind.

Wahanui rose and deprecated haste, and objected to Tawhiao losing his ' mana,' a thing in itself sufficient for long consideration. The light was coming in upon them. They were not going back into darkness and isolation. Mr Bryce pointed out that Wahanui touched on the main objection to the proposals in the loss of the ' mana' of Tawhiao, but he never had, and never would, acknowledge any other authoiity in JSew Zealand than the Queen's. "What was claimed by Tawhiao was only the flitting shadow of authority, and the shadow itself was passing away. If the King movement were to be removed let it be done properly, and not by the defection of indiridu/ils. He had no faith in the morrow. To-day only was ours. Wahanui saw the cause was drifting away.

Wahanui rose and said the flowing of the tide was regulated by God, but there were people who troubled the waters. There was no trouble in the beginning of the Queen's sovereignity. The trouble came came afterwards by degrees, Mr Bryce had said two sovereignties were not wanted in this Island, but who sent for them ? Mr Bryce, replying, said Wahanui had left the main point out of his speech, which was inconsistent with his first. If they were prepared to accept the Queen's authority, let Tawhiao get up and say so, when the two rac?s would be one. Wahanui, speaking with some zeal } said Mr Bryce had told them that the flood of civilisation would not be stopped, but he could stop it with God's help. They might take all that was offered, but they could not give up tne King's ' niana.'

Mr Bryce, again replying, said no good could arise frcm discussing old affairs. What evil could result from the ' mana' of the Queen being re-estab-lished ? If no evil could accrue, let it be done at once. Wahanui had said he was a strong man, and could keep back the flood, but he should remember that he had friends drowning in the flood he was attempting to stay. Instead of doing so, let him rather help to build the canoe and save the people. If Wahanui understood the grave importance of the decision the Maori people came to to-day, well and good. He (Mr Bryce) would go away knowing he had done his duty to the colony and the Maori people. He should never reproach himself with not having been more kind to them. The burden was now shifted from his shoulders on to those of others. His last word to Wahanui was that he was sorry, not angry, and his last word to Tawhiao was this, ' Was there any other reply ?' After a pause Mr Bryce continued : 'lt is right the people should hear Tawhiao's reply, which was that the responsibility of declining tha offers was thrown on Wahanui, and they were

rejected.' Mr Bryce then rose and left the house and grounds.