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long dark years which have intervened is well known to the Government and to the Europeans. Of the many chiefs who assembled at the first meeting at Kohimarama how few remain! It is well that you have been spared to see the dawning of better days. It is well that you should live to see the completion of the work in which you have had so large a share. This is a word of ours also to you, the chiefs and people who have assembled at this meeting at the bidding of our friend Paul Tuhaere : We are glad that you have come together for the purpose of talking over the affairs of the Island. We trust you will discuss the questions that will come before you in an enlightened and liberal spirit, that all purely personal considerations will be set aside, and that all will unite heartily to discover a solution for tho troubles which still remain. Let the result of your work be to establish the old order of things, when the European and the Maori dwelt side by side in peace, and the poorest and the meanest of either race could traverse the length and breadth of the country, protected by the hand and cherished by the hospitality which has given the Maori people a reputation wherever the English language is spoken. And when your work is done, let some of you be the bearers of comforting and kindly words to AVaikato— words which will strengthen them in their desire to re-unite with yourselves and the Europeans, and induce them once more to re-establish or be governed by the words of that wise and good old man, Potatau to Wherowhoro —that is, " Ko te aroha, Ko te pono, Ko te ture." Sufficient.—From us, from your loving friends, Hori Kerei, Hone Hiana. The Europeans present received the address with loud applause. Mr. Kemp, Commissioner, then read the address in the Maori language, which was the signal for renewed applause. Mr. Kemp : I am requested by Paul Tuhaere and the chiefs to say that they wish to express their thanks to the officers of H.I.M.S. " Ariadne " for their presence by giving three cheers. Paul Tuhaere then called for three cheers, which were given in English style, and with great warmth. Cheers were also given for Sir George Grey, the Hon. the Native Minister, Paul, and Mr. Kemp. Captain Yon AVerner : I wish to say that we are very thankful for the kindness of the chiefs and people to-day, and will mark our sense of it in tho same way. [Mr. Kemp interpreted.] Captain Yon Werner then called for three cheers for Paul, the chiefs, and people, and an enthusiastic response was made. The Conference was adjourned at 4 p.m. until 10 a.m. on AVednesday, 20th February. The Europeans were hospitably entertained by Paul Tuhaere at his house. Second Day.—26th February, 1879. The Conference in the Orakei Hall was resumed at noon, Paul Tuhaere presiding. Hauraki, a Native student at the Three Kings College, opened the proceedings by reading the 35th Psalm and offering up a prayer. Paul Tuhaere first addressed the meeting. He said : The questions that we are to discuss to-day are those that were submitted to you yesterday. Let the people speak, and the meeting will listen to the discussion. Let each one express his own opinion in relation to these matters. Do not let any speaker enter into extraneous questions. Let them keep to tho point. It will also be right to discuss any questions which arose in the speech which I delivered yesterday. Let our deliberations be conducted in the same manner as those of a European Parliament. Do not import angry feelings into the discussion ; let there be no malice. AYe want to revive the sayings of our forefathers which hare been in abeyance. Some people say that we did not participate in the Treaty of A. aitangi, but I contend that we did take part in it. They say that blankets were given to some people to induce them to sign the treaty ; but I say that the treaty was ratified by all of us, and we also ratified that treaty that was made at Kohimarama. Chiefs from all parts of the Island were there. Therefore I say, let our discussion be clear, and let each person express his opinions openly. Sufficient. Te Hemara: I will speak upon what Paul has been saying; I will refer to the good words that have come down to us from our fathers. In the paper that was read yesterday it was stated that tho people were asked to give effect to the words of our fathers. This is a renewal of the words of our forefathers who have gone before us to the other world. This is the reviving of their words which have been asleep. In my opinion we ought to follow their advice. These words of theirs were sealed up by them iv our minds, and then they departed. The reason they gave us that advice was that the pakehas had come to this country. Therefore they said that we should submit to the authority of the Queen, and that she should be the Sovereign over this Island. It was through tho teachings of the Gospel that they gave us that advice. It is not through Maori law that wo are enlightened to-day ;it is through the Gospel. After the Gospel came tho Treaty of Waitangi, and subsequently the Treaty of Kohimarama. These are the great treasures that have been given to us since the Gospel came, and, even though they have been broken, they remain still. AYe have followed the advice of our forefathers up to the time of the present Ministry coming into office—until we got Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan. Therefore, as Paul has said, we should revive the words of our forefathers. Do not let us forget them. lam very greatly pleased that Sir George Grey has reminded us of those words. I have nothing more to say in reference to that matter. Arama Karaka: lam of opinion that every chief hero should express his opinions, so that our views may be known. It was arranged at the last meeting that the next meeting should be held here. Then your son Paul invited all the chiefs and people to meet here, so that your opinions might be expressed and discussed. Perhaps I may weary you with the length of my speech ; but if I do, say so, and I will cease. (Cries of "Go on") I will not look lightly upon the subjects that may be discussed here. I say that the Treaty of Waitangi was a proper treaty. Do not let us disregard that treaty, because it is through that wo are in the position in which we arc placed to-day. Although we did not hear the words of that treaty, we signed it, and received blankets and sticks of tobacco. After the Treaty of Waitangi the Government came to the Bay of Islands to carry out the words of Hongi and the Queen, that the two peoples should be uuited. When the Government came to the Bay of Islands the Ngapuhi hoped to be united with the pakeha, as was agreed upon between Hongi and the Queen ;
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