Maori Apprehensions.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3083, 8 March 1880, Page 3

Maori Apprehensions.

Native negotiations kave in past years been very one-sided. The Maoris have lived on the fat of the land, they have been petted and pampered, have been effectually spoiled, and like spoiled children have not known how to ask for too much. Their most extravagant demands have either been granted, or tacitly acknowledged, until their actions have expressed very eloquently the prevailing sentiment ruling in their minds tawards the pakeha, which is the modest one " that what's yours is mine, and what mine is my own." Consequently they have asked arid obtained all things, from the plough-share to the double-barrel breech loader. Last year, and perhaps every year, to the shame of the authorities i' it said,dozens of firearms have been given to the sturdy bejigars. All these good gifts in addition to munificent salaries to leading chiefs, a total immunity from taxation, immense (areas of land growing into enormous value, through the expenditure of European capital, has placed Maori Rangatiros in the position of lords of the land. The result, summed up in vulgar pailance is that the pampered Aboriginals hare for some time past been getting " too big for their boots." In tne neighbourhood of Waikato many of the natives have become quite overbearing in their demeanour. It is well known that these capricious individuals have forbidden Pakehas crossing a portion of the country, and during last year, while the cry was being reiterated, "Give us back Waikato," some of them went so far as to decide what buildings they would occupy when Waikato township became their property. The proposed reduction of expenditure in native affairs has caused a profound sensation in the minds of the spoiled Aboriginal family, inasmuch as it means reduciug their allowances, and cutting off their supplies. The economical pruning knife is being applied with commendable impartiality over all Maori districts. Our peaceful friends in the North of Auckland have, however,been unfairly biassed against the Government through the misrepresentations of certain Hau Hau Emissaries who are attempting to poison the minds of the natives in the North.

V THE MAORIS IN THE NORTH. A3 Mr Kogan (late Judge of Native Lauds Court) was in Queen-street last week, he was accosted by a chiaf from the North, who Lad come from Mahurangi that day. The latter asked, "Was there any news." Mr Rogan replied that everything appeared going on as usual.—The Maori chief said : You know there is a new Government, " What do you think of it?"—Mr llogan : I have no reason for being dissatisfied with them, why do you ask ?—Maori: I will tell you. We in the North are greatly troubled through the conduct of this Government, we all thnik there is a new system to be adopted which means evil to the Maori. Paul of Orakei ia reduced, other chiefs are to be reduced. The Government is beginning to eat our land (i.e. with taxes). Hauhaua have visited us from different parts of the country, and some increased our feats about the future. Our hearts are troubled for we cannot tell what the end will be.— Mr Rogan : I am sorry to hear of your uneasiness, and of the Hauhaus spreading mischief. But as long as the Maoris go on quietly, no Government will ever do auy flagrant wrong against the native people. Maori Chief : Paul is going to have a big meeting at Orakei. Meetings are being held at Hokianga and other parts of the North. Mr Rogan : This is the first I have heard of it, but, depend upon it, you are all mistaken if you think wrong is intended on the part of the Government. NGATIWB ATUACHIEFS ATHELE VflVILLE.

On the following day (Friday) Mr Kogan was at Helensville, where he had to perform the duty of judge of the races. While walking at an early hour near the banks of the river, he came on a group of about 30 chiefs holding earnest conversation. On liia presence being observed one of them (Keepa Matu) Kemp, rose and said : " Stop 1 >V c are glad to see you here. You are the person we want to ask a question. We do not know what the Government is doing, "We want to know what change there is in Hie form of Government, and what is the intention of this new Government. Are the Maoris going to be crushed, or .are our ears deceived by what we hear. We are becoming uneasy over matters. We hear that Paul is brought down, and we want to Know more of what is coming to pas?. Mr Kogan : There is no change beyond reducing expenditure. Taxing of land is not new, as Europeans have for many years been paying taxes ; 1 have not any complaint against Government as some think, and I assuie you as a man independent of Government and a friend of the Maoris that no barm whatever is intended. What is your complaint? Is it your only grievance that Paul is vednced ?—Maoris : Ho ! We think Government may next waut our land. We are afraid that what is to come is not good.—Mr Kogan : Your land will not be touched. Have you any other grievance betides ?—Maoris : Yes ! We do not understand the Highway Board coming ou us for rates. They will eat our land up. Mr Kogan : Look round here on these lands. For years I spent all my money improving this property, and now have sold it for a mere trifle, in order to escape payin» taxes on that which was yielding me little or nothing. We (Europeans) pay rates, and is it in your thoughts that you will be taxed simply because you are Maoris?— Maoris : We are glad to have -seen yon here. You were the fond magistrate among us, and you have now opened our eyes. There have been Hauhaus travelling over the country, trying to upset the minds of the natives, and we did not know what to think.—We wish also to say to you that there is going to be a big meeting at Orakei called by Paul for the 17th March. All X aipara natives are going to attend, all the chiefs of this (Ngatiwhatua) tribe.—Mr Kogan here left the meeting, fully convinced that an attempt is being made to poison the minds of the northern natives against the Government, and that the Orakei meeting will be one of the greatest importance. ~~- THE ORAKEI MEETING.

Since the foregoing was in type the Chief Paul has confirmed the statement respecting the meeting on the 17th. He says that the chiefs from the North are expected to attend, and that it will be a very important meeting.