Grafton Road 22 July 1870 Dear Sir Donald, I would have written to you before this but for the pouri on account of my circumstances, however it may be better late than never. As of old you were the Matua to whom I told every thing that I thought might be worth hearing of Maori news so in this instance I will tell you what no doubt you have before heard. The Ngapuhi Chiefs for some time have been talking over their supposed want of power in the Parliment of New Zealand, and the poor means they have through an Interpreter of knowing exactly what is said in the debates in the House to counteract such want of knowledge the Ngapuhi chiefs held a meeting some time since, when it was agreed to communicate with all the Tribes of New Zealand who had not joined in the late war and see if they would agree to leavy a tax of 10/- per head on every mand and 5/- for every woman and 2/6 for every child, that the money obtained in this way should be kept at Ngapuhi by Wirumu Katene of the Waimate as Treasurer and communicating Secretary for the North of New Zealnd, and Watene Te whiwhi should be Treasurer and Communicating Secretary for the South of New Zealand, letters were sent to the tribes accordingly (of course the so called King Natives were not communicated with) and answers received agreeing to the proposal with this suggestion that when all the people had contributed to the fund proposed to be raised if the Ngapuhi people gave the largest sum a great meeting of chiefs should be held at Ngapuhi, if the South gave the largest sum the Meeting should take place at the South. This proposal was agreed to, and after further communication it was found the Southern Natives had contributed 5500£ and the Ngapuhi 3400£ it was therefore decided that the Meeting should take place in March 1871 at Otaki. It is proposed that this Meeting shall by common consent ask the Government of New Zealand to sanction a Maori Parliment to consist of 70 members, the members of which at their first sitting the sum raided £8900 shall be spent to defray their expences that at each annual sitting the Natives shall contribute half and the Government the rest. It is also said that some one member of the English House of Commons is coming out to be present at the Meeting. You will no doubt see in all this the finger of some of our world be called Maori friends and I am affraid that men in power so far as rank in life is concerned especially of Auckland have to do in this matter, what this may lead to I do not know, but there is that in it which may cause trouble, as it is not one or two tribes who are concerned but all from the North Cape to the South Island, I have not been able to find that a single hint has been given to any Newspaper or to any one with whom I have conversed so that I am inclined to think the Natives mean to press this matter. If you think it worth any notice I will inform you of any thing I may hear as the thing progresses. Yours sincerely, John White. P.S. The only gentlemen to whom I have told this are the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court and Judge Rogan. J.W.