THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1894, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

VISIT TO THE NORTH,

A NATIVE MEETING,

PROCEEDINGS AT WAIMA.

ADVICE TO THE MAORIS

(BY TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL REPORTER.)

'Waima, this day. The Premier and party, accompanied by Mr Clendon, R.M., Hone Heke, M.H.R., and several Maoris left Taheke early yesterday morning on horseback, and rode between heavily timbered ranges through a profusion of native bush, approaching the native settlement of Waima, towards noon. They were met by an advance party of gaudily costumed native women. The party were greeted wibh cries of welcome from the groups of women. AH the natives, numbering some,, 150 persons, formed a square, and the party shook hands with all and then adjourned into the meeting-house, where everybody assembled. This was the largesb and most representative meeting tho Premier met since leaving Wellington, the natives according him a mosb enthusiastic welcome. The chiefs ol two greab Northern tribes, Ngapuhi and Rarawa, were present, and not only extended a hearty welcome, but sang some old songs expressive of unanimity of feeling between the Maori the and pakeha. The songs were accompanied by a vigorous stamping ot feeb. , , , Tho Premier gave an extremely able address, which elicited frequent applause. He eaid that he lefb Wellington with the purpose of ascertaining the requirements ot the native race all over the North Island. Therefore, he wanted the natives to speak freely, otherwise the responsibility would resb with themselves, nob with bhe Government. Next session would be the most important ever held in New Zealand, so far as the Maoris were concerned. He said thab he had gone to great fatigue in travelling and visiting every settlement. He wanted the natives to speak their grievances and wishes so that nabivo legislation might be enacted which would be beneficial to the Maori and the pakeha. He urged the natives to place confidence in bheir Maori representatives, tho only body they could look bo for redress, and there was no use in holding consultations amongst themselves. He wished to remove bhe improssion thab Parliamenb would not granb justice. The Europeans held discussions, came to conclusions, and elected a mouthpiece in the person of a member for Parliament. He strongly urged tho natives to follow bhe same practice. Their member would be powerless if, while endeavouring to do good in Parliamenb, bhe natives were thwdrting his plans. Unity was strength. If fchey worked together good would result, if disorganised, disaster was cerbain to follow. Parliament was . supreme for both races, and would saow no distinction in administering justice. He spoke on the diminution in cultivation and bhe degeneration of the race, aud said the Government wished bhe uabives to regain bheir former sbatus. Mr Carroll gave an address in Maori. Bobh speechos were well received, and cheers were given ab the conclusion for bhe party, which then adjourned to dinner provided by the natives. Their answers were considered in tho afternoon.

The Premier, in answer to enquiry, assured the natives thab the Nabive Land Purchase Acquisition Acb had become law. He was then asked if their business was nob concluded until late he would stay all nicrhb and thoroughly discuss affairs. .sMr SeTidon answered them bhat he would stay until the business waa done and bhab business would not be subordinated bo privabe convenience. ... Wiremu Komeno Poakatahi, a chief, presented himself wibh sixteen sheets of foolscap on which he had a number of questionsconcerningbhe Acquisition Bill. Ibwas evident bhab! he nabives.did notcSearlyundersband many of tho clauses, and the Premier explained matters very fully. He spoke very clearly on all the clauses and on the points in the measure bhab had boen misconstrued by the Maoris. He gave reasons for the Government's provisions, proving clearly and to the satisfaction of those presenb thab the legislation was enbirely in tho interest of bhe nativos and protected them from* unscrupulous land sharks and pakeha - Maoris. The debenturo clause was explained, and _ those referririf bo leasing and disposing of land. The explanations were carefully listened to, and tho remarks of Mr Seddon wore frequently applauded. Mr Seddon pointed oub how unreasonable ib would bo for bhe minority to rulo, and said such things would nob be tolerated anywhere. The" majority ruled everywhere. He also objected to advances boing mado on lands for leasing purposes. The natives should take into consideration tho facb that the Governmenb only charged 4 per conb. Money-lenders and others would charge from 10 to 20 per. cent, and more. The idea of monoys being taken charge of by tho Public Trustee was also resented. He thoughb bhe natives could take care of their own money.

The Premier said that pasb experience bad plainly proved bhab tho Maori was nob able to take care of money, and some provision was imperabive if bhe natives were to livo comfortably in old age. _ Maoris and incapable persona wanted their money protected, and their trusts had too often been abused. Tim Bill would remove bhe difficulties that the natives hitherto experienced in ascerbaining bibles to their, land, and would enable them to safely cultivate and improve their own condition. These replies woro received with much favour,;and ib was agreed that further suggestions should be pub in wribing andsubwitted by tho representative nexb session. The do_r tax was tho next subject breached. The natives had gob into difficulty owing bo the misinterpretabion of a clause in bhe Bill, which had resulbed in tbe incarceration of several of them. This error in reading bhe Bill was cleared up. The pebibioner, on bhe advice of the Premier, decided to ask for tho clemency of tho Crown through the Governor. Tho natives thoughb that if bhey did nob care bo pay bho dog tax they could mako the policeman or tax collector destroy or remove dogs. It was shown thab the policeman would only destroy unregistered dogs found on bhe roads. j

Re Te Tai, the greatest chief presenb, Baid he fully endorsed the Premier's suggestion thab tho natives should continue to promote their own good. He said thab bhe nabives were going to discuss the eituation and on unanimous agreement would frame a Bill which would be presented in the coming session. He prayed the Premier to sanction this Bill.

TII3 Premier explained thab every Bill couched respectfully and presented to Parliament would bo accented. If the majority of the House thought the Bill good and likely to prove beneficial, it would become law •if considered bad, ib would be thrown out. Tho Premier said he was very pleased to learn that the proposed legislation would enable him to clearly ascertain bheir views on questions affecting tho race. Raniera Wharerau, another influential chief, suid he was glad of tho Premier's visit, because ib opened up a channel for Bending communications to the Government on the questiona concerning themselves. He expressed pleasure ab the invibabion extended by the Premier by forwarding their complaints and grievances to Wellington. He said bhab a nabive meebing comprisng represenbabives from every tribe in New Zealand would be held ab Gisborne, and the Bill mentioned would be framed. The Premier's remarks in the direcbion of combination had given the fullest 3abisfac-

tion. If good resulted, the Premier would gain the goodwill and entire approval of the nabivo people. He knew thab the proposed Bill would be carefully examined by both sides of the House. Tbey had determined to consider all the various points raised, and they would communicate with Mr Seddon later on. Ho concluded by wishing long life to the Premier and his colleague for taking the trouble to visit tbe natives ab Waima.

Mr Seddon broughb tho meeting to an end by tendering some good advice, which was delivered in semi-darkness. Ib was manifesb that the natives were greably impressed. The Premier said he had seldom made promises, bub when done bhey would be rigorously kept. He thoughb that mutual good would resulb from bhe visit. The parby then partook of tea provided by the Maoris, and were given an enthusiastic send-off. After tea the natives sang several parb songs, the harmony and blending being perfecb. Tho Premier's party responded, and the company broke up after singing " Auld Lang Syne" and the " National Anthem."

The parby left aboub nine o'clock, and, after a most enjoyable moonlight ride, arrived ab Rawene shortly before midnight.