NATIVE DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNOR.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7141, 31 August 1888, Page 6

NATIVE DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNOR.

[Bγ TelxqeaphJ [from our correspondent, j WELLINGTON, August 80. Twenty-five Native Chiefs, accompanied .by Sydney Taiwhanga, waited on the " Governor at 12.30 to-day at Government House, the Native Minister and Colonial Secretary being present. The object was to oppose the four Native Bills recently passed. Paora Tuhaere and j Major Kemp acted as spokesmen, and pointed out how in times past the Treaty at Waitangi had been set aside, and that many of the clauses in the Native Land Bfllfl just passed would injure the Natives. Kemp laid particular stress on the question of mortgages, which he said had been legalised by a clause in one of the BQls. They asked the Governor to withbold his assent to the measures until they ~y>*A time to memorialise the Queen. His Excellency explained that under responsible Government he could not in die ordinary course of business refuse Ids assent. The only thing he could do was td forward any memorial they might like to her Majesty, in which case he was quite sure the matter would be referred back to the New Zealand Government. Moreover, he might say that in his opinion at least one half the Natives 'in New Zealand were in favor of the Bills being passed, and he thought they would bring prosperity to the Natives of the colony generally. He then expressed his gratification at having met the Native chiefs. He was glad to hear the expressions of loyalty many of them had used, several of them distinguished chiefs, who had res* dered meet valuable services during the Maori war. Mr Mitchelson said that the objectionable cl&ose about mortgages had been ~ struck ooii in the Legislative Council. Some of the Natives then said they would present a petition to the Governor, to be forwarded to the Queen, on the following day.