MR BALLANCE AND THE NATIVES. Meeting with Tawhiao. [BY TELEGRAPH OWN REPORTER.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 17 April 1886, Page 2

MR BALLANCE AND THE NATIVES. Meeting with Tawhiao. [ BY TELEGRAPH OWN REPORTER.]

Alexakdr v, Thursday Night. The meeting between Mr Ballance and fawhiao at Whatiwhatihoe to-day, turned out more important in its results that any meeting hitherto. Mr Ballance, Wi Pere, Ropata and party arrived shortly after ten and met Tawhiao, Te Wheoro and the other chiefs. Tawhiao said :— Well, you have come to see us. Good indeed. There can be no wrong in seeing each other. The word has been laid down, and good will come from good intention!. Good ! good ! good ! I am pleased to see you here, so are all these people here. Mr Ballance : You must excuse my hat, the sun is hot. It is not want of respect. I have to thank Tawhiao for the kind reception here. It is extremely gratifying after the long estrangement. There is now a probability of our understanding each other. I have always entertained the greatest respect for Tawhiao and said so everywhere, because he has at heart the welfare of his race. I knew that the differences could be adjusted between races by cordial meeting, I have long felt both races were being weakened by the estrangement between them, and by meeting both would be one. I have never slighted Tawhiao'u authority over the people, and would rather Bee it increased. I feel assured that the union of the two races will insure their strength in Parliament. I see a great difference in your reception now from the last time I visited voh. The ico is now broken, and we are more inclined to give each other credit for good intentions. One explanation I can give" why I did not visit you on the last occasion. I hear you telt annoyed that I did not do so. It was not my fault ; there was misapprehension. I felt some chiefs did not wish to see me. Perhaps I was wrong, but I thought it best. When I saw Tawhiao wished to see me I felt that no small differences should stand in the way to prevent us meeting. I therefore tell Tawhiao I am glad I came to see you all. I feol that misunderstandings arise by not knowing e.ich other more intimately. Let me -now say, let us try and remove all understandings between us. Te Wheoro also welcomed the Native Minister and those with him. He said :— It ii right you have conic, you representing Government and Tawhiao the Maoris. You two Bhould endeavour to settle the differences between the two races. Te Whero then went on to say the differences had been caused by Mr Ballance. He had heard that he complained of the natives having handed over their lands to Tawhiao, and that he told the deputation of chiefs who went to Auckland that Tawhiao had not spoken or communicated his opinion on the survey of the land. Tawhiao and he (Te Wheoro) had written protesting against the survey in a letter dated December 15th, 1885, addressed to the Government agent at Alexandra, Mr G. T. Wilkinson, and they had received his reply. He had been 24 years in the Government service, and never saw or received so offensive a letter before. From all Governments hitherto he had received courteous replies to his communications. Te Wheoro read the letter, which purported to be written under instructions from the Native Minister. ''If Mr Ballance " lie continued "was a friend of mine he should have written to me in a different manner. If these were his words, I fail to see how we can come to a satisfactory arrangement." Mr Ballance explained that the letter received from Te Wheoro and the alleged copy read by him were not the same. The letter sent contained a threat. He was prepared to produce Te Wheoro's letter and have them compared. Nothing could be fairer than that. If Te Wheoro's copy and original were identical he was fully preoared to withdraw his reply. Te Wheoro accepted this proposition. Mr Ballance : This only proves the necessity of more intimate relations to remove the difficulties. Te Wheoro also agreed to withdraw his charges should the copy of the letter be found incorrect. Loner speeches were made by Te Wheoro and the Native Minister on various subjects, the mission to England, the Native Lands Courts, the cause of war and who wero responsible, &c, Mr Ballance showing that the Imperial Government had to answer for that. He asked Te Wheoro why he did not address the English Government on that question when iv England. Eventually the Minister's eloquence prevailed, and it was agreed that he and Tawhiao should endeavour to reconcile all differences, both to confer together, the Treaty of Waitangi to be duly considered as to what part is now suitable for both races. Mr Ballance proposed that the conference commence at once, as ho had to leave tomorrow. Tawhiao could coino to Alexandra that night, and go into matters at once. Tawhiao was prepared to escort him to Alexandra) but not to commence business that night. Let the Minister send a wire and put off his other business. This was most important. This was finally agreed to, Tawhiao leay. ing with a party for Alexandra, coining in Mr Ballance's buggy. They are now dining together at Finch » Hotel. Tawhiao expressed gratification at Wi Pere's visit, and in his speech said he wished Te Puke had come.