YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS. [BY TELEGRAPH -OWN REPORTER].

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

YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS. [BY TELEGRAPH - OWN REPORTER].

Alek \ndha, Friday. The meeting to-day between the Native Minister and Tawhiao was held at Finch's Hotel. There were present during the interview Rewi, Te Wheoro, Wi Pere, M.H.R., and Mr Lswis. At first the conversation turned upon the Kawhia dibtrict, regai ding roads, surveys, Armed Constabulary, and Native Land Courts. It was arranged tint the road between Alexandra and Kawhia should go on to completion, that the survey should al.so be completed, and that the sitting of the Laud Court in that distiict should be the subject of future communication between Tawhiao and the Native Minister. The Native Minister proposed to withdi aw the Armed Constabulary and substitute for it civil police. This gave much pleasure to Tiuvhioa. Mr Ballance also proposed that Tawhiao should nominate an assessor for appointment by the Governor to sit with the Resident Magistrate in the administration of justice where natives were concerned, under the Rerident Magistrates Act, 1867. It is also understood that a meeting of the Native Land Court is to be immediately held at Kihikihi, that Tawbiao is to appear in the court to suppoit some claims. Tawhiao made a request that he should have charge of the road between Aotea and Kawhia, on which tho obstruction took place some time ago, the work on which has been completed by Tawhiao's people. Tawhiao applied that any woik to be done on this road b3 entiusted to his people. This was granted. Reference was made to otfeis previously made to Tawhiao respecting a seat in the Council, and other offers which had been made him. The Minister said the time had coma when he thought Tawhiao could with advantage to his own race take a seat in the Council. With regard to other offers, the Native Minister did not consider them of much importance. One point to be considered was in what position could Tawhiao render most assistance to his people to promote the unity of two races. Tawhiao theieupon introduced the s>ubjeat of a Native Council, indicated in the 70th section of the Constitution Act, where the Queen has power to establish such councils. Mr Ballance pointed out that the power of the Queen had fallen into disuse, and held boeti virtually remitted to tho Parhainenfc of New Zealand. It was from that body alone that such council could pioceed. He could not promise what Parliament would do on the subject, as he had no instructions from his colleagues in the Ministry on the point. He suggested that if Tawhiao were in the Council ho could urge such a measure with propriety. Tawhiao very much pressed the Minister to take charge of such a bill, but Mr Ballancs said he could not do so unless the thing had been first agreed upon by Government ; but if Tawhiao decided to accept a beat in the Council find Government agreed upon such a measure lie (the Native Minister) would lend his active support, if Tawhiao desired himself to introduce such bill. It would be priuted and circulated from the Gov eminent office. Tawhiao represented that the council he desired was a council of chiefs similar to that called by the Government at Kohimarama in 18G0. The functions of the body in question would be ta consider the legislation to be submitted to Parliament on matters relating to the welfare of the native race, and the body would consist of only the principal chiefs of the tribes. Tawhiao said: " What 3'ou have paid to me is very clear, and I wish to consider it and to consult the chiefs upon the matter." The Native Minister replied that that was only right and proper, as he did not wish Tawhiao to decide hastily on any proposal. The question of a native committee for Kawhia was brought up by Te Wheoro, and he thought that tho committee appointed by the King party might be merged in the native district committee under the Act of 1883. The Native Minister said that he would consult the present committee on the subject, with a view of arranging a division of the district. He considered that it would bo a step in advance if the district, which was too large, were divided, and a separate committee existed for the Kawhia portion. Te Wheoro approved of this proposal, and the committee is to be consulted ou the subject. Tawhiao said that he did not want anything for himself, and that he was only anxious to promote the welfare of his people, that Sir Donald McLean had offered him £300 a year for himself, and £700 a year for his trib*, and a considerable quantity of land extending fioru the mouth of the Waikato river up to Ngaruawahia, and many other offers, and that Mr Bryce had otfored him £400 a year. He, however, did not want anything for himself. He did not ask for a renewal of these offers which had been made to him. Tawhiao then introduced a question of land at Pukekura and Mangere, which had been given to Potatau by Governor Sir Geo. Grey, and as the matter seemed to be involved in a mass of legal difficulties, the Native Minister promised to take the advice of tho Attor-npy-General on the subject, and inform Tawhiao of the result at the close of the interview. Major Te Wheoro stated, and Tawhiao assented, that all the previous proposals made in former years had been submitted by Tawhiao to the chiefs, who had rejected them. It had now been decided to leave all questions at issue to be settled between Tawhiao himself and the Native Minister. Tawhiao was greatly pleased with the result of the interview, which he considered on the whole highly satisfactory. It is thought that the gulf between Tawhiao and the kiogites and the Government has bsen effectually bridged over, and that an "entente cordiale" has at last been established between them. The chiefs who were present consider that all obstacles in the road of reconciliation have been removed by the interview. At the conclusion Tawhiao quoted a Maori proverb to tho effect that the difficulties u Inch remain were as small and insignificant as the dust of his finger nail. Afc G, T. Wilkinson interpreted tho whole of the proceedings of the meetings in (i most able and satisfactory manner.