E—No. 9

THh KOHIMARAMA CONFERENCE.

Queen, would render them liable to forfeit the rights and privileges which their position as British subjects confers upon hem, and which must necessarily entailed upon them evils ending only in their ruin as a race. . „.-,.,-. 13. It is a matter of solicitude to Her Majesty, as well as to many of your friends in England and in this country, that you should be preserved as a people. No unfriendly feeling should be allowed to grow up between the two Races. Your children will live in the country when you are gone, and when the Europeans are numerous. For their sakes I call upon you as fathers and as Chiefs of your Trihes, to take care that nothing be done which may engender animosities the consequences of which may injure your posterity. I feel that the difference of language forms a great barrier between the Europeans and the Maories. Through not understanding each other there are frequent misapprehensions of what is said or intended : this is also one of the chief obstacles in the way of your participating in our English Councils, and in the consideration of laws for your guidance. To remedy this the various Missionary Bodies, assisted by the Government, have used every exertion to teach your children English, in order that they may speak the same language as the European inhabitants of the Colony. 14. I believe it is only needful that these matters should be well understood to ensure a continuance of peace and friendly feeling between the two Races of Her Majesty's subjects ; and it is for this reason, arid in a firm hope that mutual explanations will remove all doubt and distrust on buth sides, that 1 have invited you to meet me now. 15. I shall not seek to prove, what you will all be ready to admit, that the treatment you have received from the Government, since its establishment in these islands down to the present hour, has been invariably marked by kindness. I will not count the Hospitals founded for the benefit of your sick ; the Schools provided for the education of your children ; the encouragement and assistance given you to possess yourselves of vessels, to cultivate wheat, and to build milis, and to adopt the civilized habits of your white brethren. I will not. enumerate the proofs which have been given you that your interests and well being have been cared for, lest you should think I am ungenerously recalling past favours. All will admit that not only have your ens listened to the words of kindness, but that your eves have seen and your hands have handled its substantial manifestations. 16. I will not now detain you by alluding to other matters of great importance, but will communicate with you from time to time and call your attention to them before you separate. Let me, however, remind you that though the Queen is able without any assistance from you to protect the Maories'from all foreign enemies, she cannot without their help protect the Maories from themselves. It is therefore the duty of all who would regret to see their Race relapse into barbarism, and who desire to live in peace and prosperity, to take heed that the counsels of the foolish do not prevail, and that the whole country be not thrown into anarchy and confusion by the folly of a few misguided men. . Finally,— I must congratulate you on the vast progress in civilization which your people have made under the protection of the Queen. Cannibalism has been exchanged for Christianity; Slavery has been abolisln d ; War has become more rare ; Prisoners taken in war are not slain ; European habits are gradually replacing those of your ancestors of which all Christians are necessarily ashamed. The old have reason to be thankful that their sunset is brighter than their dawn, and the youiig may be grateful that their life did not begin until the darkness of the heathen night had been dispelled by that light which is the glory of all civilized Nations. Earnestly praying that God may grant His blessing on your deliberations and guide you in the right path, 1 leave you to the free discussion of the subjects I have indicated, and of any other* you may think likely to promote the welfare of your Race. Thomas Goue Bkowne, Governor. At the conclusion of the Address two Chiefs (Mete Kingi and Kawana Paipai) stepped forward, and, in the name of the Wanganui tribes, presented the Governor with two beautifully embroidered Kaitakas (fine flax mantles), and a Taiaha (carved staff), as a pledge of loyalty and peace. His Excellency and suite then*adjourned to an adjoining hall to hold a levee, which was attended by all the above-named Chiefs. During this ceremonial Te Whikiriwhi presented the Governor with a curious whale-bone Taukari (club) in token of his allegiance. After the reception His Excellency retired and the Chiefs re-assembled in the Conference Hall. Donald McLean, Esq., who presided, briefly stated the object for which the Conference had been convened, and requested the Chiefs to take the address under consideration. He directed their attention to the various subjects indicated therein, and invited a full and candid expression of their opinions. , Tamati Waka Nene then rose and said:—Hearken, Oye people, hearken ! This is a Council to discuss the affairs of the people. I have come forward first, but you are the head, so I leave the speaking for you. I shall afterwards express my sentiments that you may hear them, and that all may know them —both Pakehas and Maories. I sit down. Paora Tuhaere having addressed the Conference, Tamati Waka Nene again rose and delivered an eloquent and loyal speech. Speakers succeeded in the following order :— Tukihaumene, Henri Matini Te Nera, Rihar Hamiora Tv,

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