MAORI PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 103, 3 May 1887, Page 2

MAORI PARLIAMENT.

Meeting at Shelly Beach, Maipara.

A very large assemblage of influential • chiefs* representing all the Northern tribes, and also all the tribes of Hauraki, or the Thames and Waikato districts, gathered together here for the purpose of taking part in the proceedings of the above annual meeting. The opening of the Whare Runanga had been fixed for the 11th inst., but was deferred as a token of respect to tho memory of the lato Ihaka Hakuene, tho Revs. Renata Tangataand ReupenaPaerata. Later on Hiriiii Taiwhanga and several European and native friends arrived, and Hirini introduced to Paora and the chiefs present Mr C. Hardy, an English gentleman, who took a great interest in the native people—who had, in fact, compiled a pamphlet entitled "A Defence for the Maori People," and had it translated ■ and distributed amongst the Maoris. Mr Hardy gave a short address, quoting the opinions of a number of eminent statesmen on the question of local management .of native affairs. Amongst those ho mentioned were tho names of Mr Protector Clarke and Lord Derby, who, ho said, strongly advocated these principled, claiming that they were not only indispensable • to the welfare of the race, but also highly practicable. Besides these great men, he said the natives had a largo number of European friends, who would like to see them in tho position which they wore so justly entitled to occupy. (-y^aoiaTuhaere. thanked him for his address." He said'that he. was aware of the fact that they had many European friends who'werc in sympathy with their cause, • and -ho had no doubt that, tins fooling emanated from tlio knowledge that the ; Maoris had borne their reverses like men, and had proved themselves to be a peaceful, law-abiding race. 'Hirini then addressed them on tho coming election, and said that he would again come forward as a candidate to solicit, thoir votes. Ho referred to the members that ' had been returned on former occasions, and eaid instead of removing existing evils they had seemed to remain quiet and unconcerned while the evils were accumulating. Paoia said that thoy would consider this question further on. Ho regretted that it was absolutely necessary to send some one to Parliament to replace Iho lato Ikaka Hakuene, but as it was there wero several important matters to bring before the House in Wellington, and • these must bo introduced by a representative. Besides these, the resolutions adopted by the Runnnga would bo sent on, and thoy would also be placed before Parliament. It was thereforo imperative that they elect someone to do this, and he trusted that they would select a lilting porson. He concluded by suggesting Matiu KornenoTe Aranui, Shortly after lunch tho chiefs of the Ngapuhi arrived, and coming as they had direct from tho funeral of Mr Hakuene, a very affecting scene took place in the nature • of a tangi, which lasted with ono or two intervals the whole afternoon. Ono very pleasing and noticeable feature at the meeting was the religious feeling evidenced. There wero morning and after- • noon services daily, and although there - wero two denominators represented, viz., Wcsleyan and Church of England, thoy - amalgamated, arid both ministers took . part in each service. On the morning of the 13th, tho Whare , Runangri, a tine hall, beautifully tini-hod inside, was formally opened for the transaction of business. The doors were thrown r open at 9.30, and the chiefs eagerly took up . their respective .positions. At 10 o'clock the President was announced by an usher, and all rose as Paora Tuhacre entered, and advanced to the Chair of State, where.bowing to the?V.6sembhige, he took his seat. A brief interval of silence ensued, when President Tuhacre rose, and in a very feeling and telling speech, in which ho specially . referred to the great loss they had sustained in the death of Ihaka Hakuene, their lato representative, he urged those present not to be rash in their opinions and counsels ; that tho questions brought up for their consideration required cool, clear, and earnest deliberation. Tho first matter to be considered would be in reference to the Treaty of Waitangi. He asked them not to waste the time of the meeting in condemning tho action of the different Governments^ in re- - gard to native affairs, lie said .ill this was understood, and was a matter of history. He passed from this to the New Zealand Constitution Act of 1882, and wont on to explain that the Imperial Government of England did not alter the effect of its conditions with their predecessors in the least by grant ing responsible government, to New Zealand. The Imperial Government had in fact honourably discharged its duties towards them by making special provisions in clause 71 of the abovo Act for their protection. The question now before the people was this : Is it,or is it not,necessary for them to avail themselves of the stipulations of the treaty, and the provisions of the above Clause? He said he had no doubt that thoy all recognised the advisability of this. Looking back to the past 30 or 40 years, where, he asked, were the blessings and benefits which it had been promised would accrue to the race ? It were vain to attempt to point out any, and what could they see before them to-day ? Why, thoy could see the native people almost povertystricken on their own soil, and all this was brought about from their foolishly allowing themselves to be taught to look for help and assistanco to the colonial Government. Henceforth, he said, look nearer home for relief, study well yourselves what is to the interests of tho race.and when yon have clis- ' oovej-eii.-this, anchor all your hopes upon it; .Stand by it,ln storm and in sunshine, and ''thus by relying on your own efforts-you _i.. will'reap.the benefit, Boa credit to yourselves, honoured by those who come after you, and worthy descendants of your noble ancestors. The President then resumed his seat. . "'".

Tho resolutions passed at the recent meeting held at tho Bay of Islands were read and adopted, when Waata Tepa, from Hauraki, saluted the President, nnd chiefs, and said : After the able address delivered by ouv worthy President I am afraid that some of us will be rather loth to tako the floor, and I will first address myself to these by saying we have met hero for the purpose of ventilating and discussing each other's opinions ; that is, of course, so far as they are consistent with good judgment, and if there is any backwardness shown I shall insist on these principles being adhered to. What I have to say myself is this : A very erroneous impression seems to have' got abroad amongst Europeans in respect to the nature of our meetings, and it is taken for granted in some quarters that if wo do not soon get that for which we arc at present agitating, we shall resort to the highly reprehensible methods which are being used in some parts of Ireland as it has been pointed out that both the cases are exactly similar. Now I am sure that you will all agree with mo when I say that I sincerely regret that such views as these are held ; it shows at once a total misconception of our motives and position, for the merest glance will prove that the alleged similarity does not actually exist; for wKereas Ireland demands Home, Rule^unconditionally, we simply ask for the lights for which our ancestors stipulated; and which were conceded them by honourable treaty. So far from separating ourselves entirely from the Crown, wo propose to frame laws and before their adoption submit thorn to the. consideration of .he mperia Government, with a proviso that, anj tli ng contained therein calculated to chs urb he peaceful relations.of the two WfJfW^ them) altered, or. if, necessary, altogevhe. |

erased, in order to entirely prevent anything of this nature. Matiu Te Aranui said : My speciality is the subject of taxation. The Government proposed some time ago to tax native lands. I say that the Government have no authority {excepting that which they take upon themselves) to interfere in any way with our private lands, for has not the Crown granted us the undisputed and undisturbed possession of our lands, aye, and fisheries . How much less then have they the right to impose a land tax upon us. Talk not of the benefits extended to our race,of the civilising influencesin the shape, forsooth, of grog and tobacco, which has dealt destruction all around ; civilisation, indeed, with its concomitant train, of evils and disease. Nay, I say, take back your poison and let us live our remaining years in peace and retirement. Do not add insult to injury by talking of taxation.. Taxation j indeed, when our native settlements have each to support a European doctor or chemist, in order to have means to hand to cope with the European fevers and disease which attack whole families of us ! Taxation, when a public house is planted in each little district, and we are tempted to use this slowpoison, and a large percentage of the proceeds of the salo (which is called duty) is paid regularly to the Government ! Taxation, when "even our women arc heavy smokers of tobacco, and thus contribute materially to the Government treasury ! Have not we,l ask, paid the .State for legislating for us, with a result that our position has been getting worse and worse, and were it left in their hands, the near future would toll a deplorable tale of wrongs inflicted. Therefore, as we must travel side by side with our European neighbours, we must also administrate cur own affairs, have a treasury of our own, and, if it is neces-

sary to levy taxes on our properties, it will bo with a viow to raise funds for the better administration of these, and the advancement of the race. The speaker concluded by exhorting each ono of them to study earnestly the grave questions brought before them relating to native affairs.

Business was then adjourned till the next day. It is, perhaps, needless to go into a detailed account of tho speeches given during tho whole sitting. The lirst (lay's work may be taken as a fair sample of the rest. Suffice, then, that there was no time wasted ; that address followed address, and that the principal speakers were To Puhata, Tatana, Matcnga Taiwhanga, Wi Rikihana, To Wirihana, hiotaim Pat.uawa, Eramiha, Meinata, Henii Partita, Rewiri, Te Tane Aaratu.ii, llenaro Wharau, Wctieti, Herewini, To Toko, l.eihana, Mihaka, Kira To Tttkn, To Kopa, Hone Ngapua, Eruwini, Peri, Te Kapua.

The resolutions already published were drawn up and adopted. Tho advisability of subscribing funds for tho purpose of incorporating a thoroughly Maori newspaper into thoir work was discussed and agreed upon, and a committee was also appointed to inquire into and roport upon all privato native lands, as also all lands affected by Land Courts, tho negotiations of which havo not been completed, and it was announced that step, would bo taken for tho withdrawal of any such lands from tho influence of tho Court. A show of hands was taken in respect ta the return of a member, aud resulted greatly in favour of Hirini.

Hcta Te Haara then rose and said : I cannot refrain from expressing my satisfaction as to the manner in which the business of this meeting has been conducted. I congratulate you, Paul, as President, your able and intelligent assistant, and till those who have taken part in the proceedings. It has been a source of intense gratification to me to hear the able speeches which have been made, to notice the great interest that has been taken, and, above all, the skill that has been displayed in handling the various subjects with a view to bringing tho-h into proper form. Paora Tuhacre thanked the chiefs for the diligence and perseverance shown, and stated that full reports of tho meeting would be forwarded to various influential statesmen both hero and elsewhere. He said that if they had a paper of their own, the report would reach the whole of the natives, as well as Europeans; as it was, they were indebted chiefly to the courtesy of tho proprietors of the Auckland Star for thoir publication. However, he hoped that ere long they would be able to have one of their own printed,dr.-! this would greatly facilitate the progress of tho work which thoy wero now engaged upon Meinata, on behalf of tho Assembly, thanked the President and h.is tribe for tho liberal hospitality extended to their guests. Ho extolled them for the resources provided for the comfort, etc., of the visitors, aud avowed that they had all spent a very pleasant time ; and thus ended perhaps one of tho most remarkable and interesting meetings that have taken place on this island for many years.