The Native Meeting.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3189, 9 May 1879, Page 2

The Native Meeting.

-[By TeleSbaph.]

' (FHOM OUB Wif CO&BESPONKBKT.)

'I understood Tawhiao's speech yesterday as simply an assertion of right, not a declaration of ■policy, especially from his behest to the tribes 'togo to their tents and ponder orer his ; words and^ bring their replies and opinions to ,the meeting this day; but I find many persons took 'a 'fe'o¥trary;%iew/pfthe\)ipeWcK,';i»Ad^thafc i ) aU t|ie '„t;nW^enteriain'ef d , a similar,, opinion, for at the meeting which took place this afternoon at 3 p.m., neatly all speakers declared they would not recognise Tawhiao?s jthe^ whole 'native -people * of the Island.

The ni^etinig'waß! not by the Kfngi&s 1 but; was 'for^cl' bylHiß,'Nißajpuhi and Kgatimaaiapoto.people collecting togetberani commencing! to talk. ' j

'sh Te \ Mohi, a?Njjapuhi chief; commenced ' the 1-k iblri^^! ?fy^su}el!^j(;determine|d 1 j :,tOjt .ipro^d^^it^'^he^imeeting ( ,r«veb if no more people assembled. Tawhiao had told them that all the land was his, to do as he liked, with it; that, he was. 1 king over the <<whpje > Island from the North Cape to the Straits. He, however, and his people, were present at Waitangi, 'end had abided by the law there laid down ; other tribes also had kept that law. He would • not. acknowledge Tawhiao's kingship.

Hiniara (a Kaipara' Chief) said he I thought they had assembled to hear Sir George Grey and Xawh,iao, so that they might determine which,of the two waa right, and whose policy would bring light to both Natives and' Europeans. Paul Tuahere said, in reply to a Ngatimaniapoto Chief who wanted the talking postponed till the Kingites were present, that it was not their fault if the King's people were absent. They were not going to wait till darkness set in, but should speak tribe by tribe. The delay was bad, and could not improve the situation. - _ . - (i At this stage messengers were sent for Tawhiao and his people, and in a short time they came led by Ngakau. ,• Xauhangi resumed the discussion, and spoke in praise ;of Sir George?Grey> who, he said, was the saviour of the native race, and he was much concerned for the future if his friend Sir George Grey, ceased to take an interest in their con-

cerris. Attention should be paid to all. Sir -George Grey said. ; .. Whaki, in a long speech, spoke about the ancient customs, and th^e' 1 treatment received by the natives from,the Europeans. He was grateful, for wisdom, love, and peace was brought to the land by the white people. The Ngapuhi people were the friends of the Europeans, and had never consented to the king movement, and would not now support such. Let those who had built up the king's government look after it. Eeepa said Tawhiao'a talk only referred to his own people, and was so far good, but if it was to effect all the tribes he would object.: ; Tho -Kingite9 had themselves to blame for -all their troubles, and if they were the enemies of the white people,in the.past,. why not let it all be forgdttehiJand shake hands.; > -;j .? . Rangikihipa said it should, at the out* set, be understood that Sir George Grey was the head of the. Europeans, and if Tawhiao was to rule the Natives, it should only be after the manner of the laws. The tribes would not obey the King if he were to order an unlawful aot, and he saying the Europeans should leave would not be obeyed.; Sir George Grey and Tawhiao should be one, and if such were admitted peace would be established for the future.

Te Heuheu, an important chief, said war had brought them trouble, and Potar tau's words had not been followed, for he told them to live in peaoe with, the; Europeans. -SeVerlaV speakers 1 '■' advocated a peaceable settlement of all differences, and said they were prepared to listen, and witness such a happy conclusion to the meeting, as the adoption of Sir George Grey's proposals at Hikurangi. Te Whero said Potatau's advice had not been followed, and Tawhiao had mismanaged the affairs of the people. It would result in each tribe attending to their own business for the future. He had been helped by the advice of Sir George" Gr,ey. , ; i It was getting dark by this time, and Ngakau suggested the adjournment of the meeting till to-morrow. j