THE SOUTHERN CROSS. Friday, June 5, 1857. THE NATIVE QUESTION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1037, 5 June 1857, Page 3

THE SOUTHERN CROSS. Friday, June 5, 1857.

THE NATIVE QUESTION.

LUCEO NON URO. "If I have been cKtinsruished, yet there rise A thousand beacons from the «pnrk I bore"

We have kept back our further observations on the native question, and suggestions for a solution of the difficulty, until we should be fully informed of the result of the meeting of the Waikato tribes convened by Ngatihaua for the purpose of instituting Te Whero Whero into bis office, as Maori King. The King's flag, for the prer cn t, has been struck to that of the Queen. But the idea is far from being yet abandoned. The movement still goes on ; while the propriety, the thoughtfulness, and the caution with which it is conducted render it only the more serious in nature. When we add to this that they have already shewn a greater aptitude for combination than hai been expected of them, we touch upon the vital point, at present, of European supremacy. It is becoming more and more evident, even to the most incredulous, that a crisis in native affairs is coming on. We do not, indeed, believe that a. King will be actually made; but it is clear that a great change is approaching, either for good or for evil, in the relations between the races The natives thoroughly understand what they want, and it is not a play-thing that they seek. They are resolved upon making an effort to preserve their existence, not only as a race, but as they understand it, a nation, before they shall be overnpmbered, and therefore out-mastered by the whites. The majority of them are most desirous of living in amity with us ; they are iully sensible, of the advantages to be derived from the spread of civilization ; their feeling towards the Qneen is still most loyal, although they manifest some jealousy of the Assembly ; but, they insist upon being enabled to see further into the future than they are enabled to do as j r et. They look back upon sixteen years of European rule, and observe that of all the successive- Governments, not one has presented a fixed or even consistent line of policy, — that it is impossible to foretell, from the course puraued by Government under a prior condition of events, the course that would be adopted under the like circumstaa^s on a new occasion. " 7 "-*\ We fear that in Auckland, excepting among a few who are better informed than the generality, these matters are not yet rated at their due importance ; while in Wellington the existence in the country of a powerful body of men, courageous and 1 intelligent, who might easily he converted into one united mass of enemies, seems to be entirely ignored It cannot be too often repeated, that the coming change is either for good or for ill — that it can-, not be indifferent. It is for us tot'ake the tide at the full. The opportunity is fairly presented, if we know how to use it : we may easily guide that ■which is already in motloiv, while our utmost efforts would fail to move it as an inert mass AH depends upon the strength being applied in the right direction. But let us disabuse ourselves at once of the idea that the Maori is to be any longer controlled through articles in the native newspaper, by good advice from magistrates, or even missionaries. Governor Grey's palliatives —the humiliating "flour and sugar system," are of none avail. The principles upon which the relations between the races shall be henceforth carried on are demanded. If the European does not lay them down, the Maori will. In our present number, we confine ourselves to recounting what took place on the occasion of the rival flags being displayed ; with the intention of continuing the subject in subsequent numbers.

The place of meeting was Rangiriri, the centre of Waikato ; and the ocea^on was the feast given by the tribes of lower Waikato to their brethren of Waipa and Horotia when they met to lament the death of Wetere. The gftests wece mustering for sever., l days Kaumatuku, aud ou the Thursday, May the 9th, the last detachment arrived. These were the Ngatimaniapoto, the large tribe resident about Mok.au Ou Fiiday, the whole body started do\vn the river t»> Rangiriri, a distance of twelve mi Iks, tearing away down the river at a tremeidous pace, the whole distance. There were about fifty c.moes containing the visitors, and about fifty lud already arrived conveying the "tangata whenua." Several Europeans accompanied the expedition. After the usual reception, Ngatihaua formed fouf deep. Proceeding into the centre of a large open space, cleared for the occasion, they planted the flag of the new dynasty His Majesty's color was a white flag with a red border, and two red crosses, (as a symbol, wo believe, of Christianity); upon it the words, Potatau Kingtf New Zealand." The next day wasdevoted to eating and. talking The following is an account of the amount of food provided. Bullocks 15 Sharks 20,000. Eel*, fresh 20 baskets. Eels, dried 100,000. Patikiand Mataitai 50 baskets Sugar 30 bags. Potatoes and Kumeras ... B,ooo ketes. Tobacco 1,500 lbs. Besides flour, and other things the amount of which could not be ascertained. On the Saturday afternoon, Mr. Ashwell, the clergyman, and Mr. Fenton, the magistrate, came down the river. The former returned on Monday morning. Sunday was devoted to worship ; three denominations were represented, but the Church 'of Rngland had a great majority. Indeed the Wesleyans seemed to be united with that body. On Monday, the 11th ultimo— the anniversary of the great native feast at Renmera, thirteen years ago, and, so far a3 regards the settlement of the native question, thirteen years thrown away, — the business commenced. Our informant proceeded along the temporary town, and endeavoured to count the numbers present The tents and houses extended for about three fourths of a mile. As nearly as he could ascertain, the number present was about 2,200. On Monday, at about 10 o'clock, the large open space began to fill. The Maories were clothed almost entirely in blankets and native garments. It had been previously arranged that this day should be devoted te a reconciliation of old hos' tilitics. The great men from the different tribes sang soigs to each other, and finally nil ancient hatreds, and the remembrance of former battles were, by common consent, buried in oblivion. They thus prepared the way for a complete union on the important question that was to be discussed on the morrow. The war hatchet was buried, and a solemn compact made that if ever dug up again, it should not be employed against any of the tribes present. On the Tuesday, at about ten o'clock, a long line of Maories, dressed in black cloth suits, black neck-kerchiefs, &c, were to bo seen, presen-ting a surprising contrast to the Maori assembly of the previous day They defiled from the southern end of the town, headed by Ngatihaua, bearing ■ the flag of the new king They- advanced to the i •pen space, planted the flag in the ground, and sat down,, arranged in long rows, occupying one &rde of the square. The. loaders and principal speakers teok up their position in the centre, each man with his paper and pencil, to take notes of the proceedings They seemingly did not anticipate much opposition. There they sat for half an hour j a bystander would have thought that the Queen was not going to be represented at all. But at la.st a Union Jack was seen displayed on a little bill about a quarter of a mile oif. t Another soon appeared a short distance inland. Shortly afterwards a procession advanced from the hill, headed by Waata Kukutai, bearing the Jack, and occupied the side of the square opposite to that taken by the King party, immediately after which another body advanced bearing the Union Jack No. 2, and took possession of the ground to the left of the other party, when both Jacks were planted in the ground opposite to the whke flag with the red cross. The principal men, and the magistrate, mustered iv the centre. The large body thus arrayed, and the organization that seemed to exist, was the first, but a very significant indication that the Government had not been asleep. The third side of the square was filled with Maories who did not appear to have joined either party — sitters upon the " cross benches." At the fourth side appeared the native teachers, headed by Hoera and Heta. Proceedings now commenced. Heta read prayers, including the prayer for the Queen, and Hoera delivered a short address on moderation and temper. After the customary pause, Te Kereihi, from the loyal side, rose and said — " Commence your talking." Then Hoera, who, as a teach tr of religion, occupied a sort of moderator position, said " The talk will be about the flags ; let them be -disposed of; direct all the speeches to that end." To g've a full report of all the speeches, in our limited space, is obviously impossible. The most remarkable were the following, of which the main points have been carefully preserved Paora : God is good; Israel were his people ; they had a king ; 1 see no reason why any nntion should not have a king if they wish for one The (iobpel does not say that we are not to have a king. It says " Honor the King — Love the brotherhood." Why should the Queen be angry ? we shall be in alliance with her, and friendship (whakahoa) will be preserved. The Governor does not stop murdera and fights among us. A king will be able to do that. Let us have order, so that we may grow as the pakehas grow. Why should we disappear from the country ? New Zealand is ours ; I love it. Takirei Te RaU : The first Governor came and gave the word ' friendship" (wbakahua) : so d'd the second — the third — and sd does Gover/i r Browne. The source of this word is God. It came in the Gospel; and now there is added the Law (te ture); what more do we want? I think thia is the open road ; the new one is overgrown (ururua) and dark. I will not walk in it. Friendship to the Governor is" the road to the Queen. Go on this road ; it is the road to goo I. Let us go on this road. Takirau : That is the road — that word " friendship." But it applies to both sides. Our king will be friendly with the Queen. Their flags will be tied together (Hoists the king's flag and ties it to the Jack). I say, let us be like all other lands who have kings, and glory, and honor. That is a clear road. Let us be strong to fasten on this. Let the blessing of God, which rests on other lands and their kings, rest on us If I asked the Queen to leave her throne I should be wrong ; but all I ask is that the dignity which now rests on her should rest on our

king ; so that this land may be in peace, and bo j hououred. Let the Queen and (he pafcelias occupy the acacoast and be a fence (taiepa) around us. Wiremu Tb^Wheoro: I agree to what Takirei says— friendship — alliance tanga). I know that road ; I dou't know any other. (Pointing to the new flap)— Let that flag go down ; I don't like it. Let its old honor (mann) remain, but don't seek any frosh dignity. Mom : This is my word. Don't wander about. Wash out (horoia) the writing ©n the new flag. I don't like it. It frightens me. Wash out the writing, and let the staff help to support tle Queen's flag. Lean to it, its ancient honor (mana). The honor of old, of old, of old. Paora : Give me some soap to wash it out (i.e., Give me a reason). Mom : Why did you write those words ? The new flag must kill the old ; not the old one the new. What is the wrong of the old flag ? Paora : The gospel came. Then came the Queen. At that time we were foolish and ignorant ; now we know. At first the missionaries said, make a king to keep convicts and bad pakelias away. But we did wrong, we agreed to the Queen. Now, we are grown up — we are no longer children — we can walk alone. We are fit for a king. You can't find any where in the Bible, that the Queen should have the only honor. Shew me where, that I may know. We cannot be always in childhood. Takahawaiki : Let me speak, Don't say, why should we add fresh honor to Potatau ? Remember, the honor conferred upon him will belong to us all. What is the use of eyes, arms, and body without a head ? Takikau : (Many quotations from Scripture.) Heta (native teacher) : Leave out the Scriptures. Don't bring them in here. If you bring in these quotations we shall wonder about (marara noa atu), for they are inapplicable, and you do not understand the context. Scripture ! is a very sacred thing, and should not be used lightly. I shall be angry with you if you persist. Wisemti Te Awaitai\.: lam a small man ; | and a fool. lam ignorant of these Scripture i quotations. Ngatihaua, don't be dark. Wai- ; kato, listen. Taupo, attend. My name has been heard of in old day, and sometimes it is still mentioned. I am going to speak mildly, like a father. My word is this : I promised the first Governor, when he came to see me, and I promised all the rest, that 1 would stick (piri) to him, and be a subject of the Queen. I intend to keep my promise, for they have kept theirs. They have taken no land. Mine was the desire to sell, and they gave me money. Why do you biing that new flag here ? There is bother (raruraru) in it. I can't see my way clear. But I know that there is trouble in that flag. I am 1 content with the old one. It is seen all over the j world, and it belongs to me. I get some of its honor ! What honor can I get from your flag ? It is like a fountain without water. Don't tiouble me. You say we are slaves. If acknowledging that flag makes me a slave, I am a slave. Let me alone. Don't bring your bother here. Go back to the mountains. Let us alonu in peace. I and the Governor will take our own course. That's all. (Silence for half an hour followed this speech, which made a deep impiession, for no man present was so renowned as a warrior chief as Wiremu.) Wiremu Tamihasta Tauatipifi : I am sorry my father has spoken so strongly. He has killed me. I love New Zealand. I want order and laws. The king could give us these better than the Governor ; for the Governor has never done anything except when a pakeha is killed ; he lets us kill each other and fight. A king would stop these evils. However, if you don't like the king, pull clown the flag. Let Rewi pull it down if you wish it. Rlwi, chief of Ngatimaniapoto, stepped forward, said nothing, but in anger took the king's flag and threw it down at the foot of the Jack, and sat down without speaking. He intended, apparently, to show the Maories the state of utter subjugation to which they were consenting. Mohi : That's right. But let the staff stand up without the flag. Takahawaiki (considerably excited, took the prostrate flag and rehoisted it) : I love New Zealand. It shall not lie clown in this way. Let it look at the sun, and we will support it. Waata Kuktjtai : Let the flag stand ; but wash out the writing on it. Let us not talk like children ; but find out some real good for ourselves. We can not do it by ourselves. The white men have the money, the knowledge — everything. I shall remain a subject of the Queen, and look up to this flag (the Jack) as my flag for ever and ever and ever. If it is dishonored, I shall be ; if it is honored, so shall I be. I accept fully the arrangement made between the Governor and Potatau — laws, a director, and the assembly. I don't want to talk, for my mind is made up. I shall begin to work on the basis of that agreement. You may go on talking ; and when you have done we will let you join us. For if you follow your road you will be benighted, get in a swamp, and either stick there or come out covered with mud. Taraiiawaiki got up again, rather angry, and the meeting was becoming a little excited, which the native teachers, assembled in a body, observing, Hoera called out " Let us pray." Silence reigned. He read the prayers — " Lighten our darkness" — and "In all the changes and chances," &c— and proceedings ended for that that day : the flag still down. On the Wednesday, stations were taken as before j but the loyal party seemed to look upon the matter as settled, and did not present that appearance of arrangement which characterized theformei day's proceedings. Potatau now appeared, surrounded by about 10 or 20 of his friends, a»d took his station on the 4th side of the square. The King's flag was again planted, but it was now rigged European fashion, on a running line, so that it could be lowered without removing the staff. The proceedings of thi s day seem to have been little more than a recognition by Potatau of yesterday's work. After prayer — A Chief of the Wherukoko : Our motto is love to New Zealand. (A Native song) Potatau : Wash me. my friends, I am covered with mud. Love, Gospel, and friendship N^atihaua, work, continue yonr work. The kotuku sits upon a stump, and eats the small fish ; when he sees one, he stoops down and catches it ; lifts up his head, and swallows it. That is his constant work. William, you understand your work. When the sun shines we see him- (A song.) Hoani Papita : Fresh water is lost when it mingles with the salt (A song.) Tb Wikiha; Song— for the land, that it should be retained; joined in chorus by the whole 2000. Te Kkreihi : I shall stick to the Governor ) I remember his talk with Potatau at this place I asked him for laws--»for a director, for an assembly. He agreed to it. lam holding fast to this. I keep this firm. It shall be buried with me, but my children will perpetuate it. (Recounted the whole of the Governor's words). I will listen to no new things. That is the only road that

conducts to prosperity. T have seen their friendship with these eyes. The lemembrance remain-. Dun't bother us, lor we have work to do ; we are too busy to talk. , Tr Heithru, of Taupo, spoke violently, statin? the causes of quarrel the Maories have with the Europeans; the indignities shown to the uh:rf» by the lower order of Europeans, when they visited the town ; their women debaucjhed ; the men made drunk j the chiefs called ' bloody Mamies/ &c, &c He advocated the total separation of races, and the ultimate expulsion, by force, of the | Europeans. Wikemu Tr \waitaia and WaataKukutai stopped him, and, after some conversation, made him sit down - j Hemi Puitnt (nephew of Te Awaitaia) went into the centre and addressing Potatou, said, declare yourself about the flags, you have heard our views. Paora moved the King's to the Jack, and tied them together They were about a yard asunder. He then marked a nng in the ground, round each. Bewi came forward and deepened the ring. Kukena, uucle of Potatou, came forward, and, amid a dead silence, lowered the flag half mast, and tied it to the English flag ; then sat down. Tipenb :Don'tyou be sad,(totlfteKiugites )and don't you be joyful (to the loyal party) for remember, though the flag is down, the wr ting remains After some speeches as to retaining the lanJ, and several songs, the meeting separated. Waata Kukutai then paraded [the English flag, rang a great bell, and proclaimed that all who acknowledged allegiance to, and intended to support that flag, should follow him. (He brought three flags to the meeting.) All lower vVaikato and the sea coast to Kawhia mustered. They moved in procession over the hill, passed resolutions, and embodied tbem.in a letter to the Governor. , On the following day the King's flag was despatched to the tribes in the South of New Zealand, to convene a larger meeting and induce Potatou to accept the office, or to appoint some one else. In the meanwhile, the tribes of lower Waikato seem active, and deoided in following the course sanctioned by the Governor.