THE PREMIER IN TARANAKI. ADDRESSES FROM MAORI CHIEFS.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 115, 16 May 1895, Page 2

THE PREMIER IN TARANAKI. ADDRESSES FROM MAORI CHIEFS.

IBy Telxobaph.— Pkesb Association | Hawira, 15th May. The Premier arrived at Patea last evening, and this morning was waited npon by a deputation of natives, among whom were Tutangi, Broughton, Ngapaki, Hakopa, and Baumati. Tutangi and Ngapald presented written speeches. Tutangi said that they regretted the Premier's visit to Parihaka. Te Whiti and Tohn had caused a great deal of trouble. They Baid they were prophets, and so the Premier should not visit them. Tutangi commended the work of the Public Trußtee, and thought that they should go a step further, and be enabled to raise money on mortgage through the Public Trustee. Refering again to the proposed visit to Tobu and Te Whiti, he said natives on this part of the ooast etrongly objected to the followers of those persons " visiting onr settlements, lest trouble should fall upon üb." Ngapaki weloomed the Premier as head of the Government, but he was a bigger man than Te Whiti or Tobu, and onght not to go on an invitation to him by small men Men of small importance should go to see men in high authority. The men on this part of the coast were the Queen's Maoris, and were annoyed that the troublesome men of Te Vv bitt and Tohu should follow them. Kaumate said Mr. Hammond was their religion a chief. They lived on terms of friendship with the Public Trnstee, and they wished to have nothing to do with Te Whiti. The Rev. Mr. Hammond spoke on the undesirability of the pyßtem of making the payments to natives in respeot to their land in the Kuropeau settlements, as muoh of the money paid was diesipated in travelling expenses and drunkenness. The natives wished the money to be paid to them in their own settlements, and referring to the visit of the Premier to Parihaka, he Baid the Premier perhaps did not grasp the fall significance which would he attached to it. The Premier, in replying, expressed satisfaction at meeting the chiefs, and said that the object of the Government was to understand the requirements of the natives. So far as the present visit was concerned, they had asked him to come, and as this \>as his first visit paid to the natives on the coast it would be discourteous if be passed by Parihaka withont ca'ling in there. Moreover, he had promised to pay the visit, and the promise mußt be sacred. He believed great good would result from the visit. He sympathised with the request that the moneys due to the natives should be paid at their own settlements, and appreciated the importance of the request if the result would be to keep them out of the way of temptation. He was anxious to promote the welfare of the natives, and would have enquiries made into this matter. He was well pleased to hear the expressions of satisfaction from the natives with the Public Trustee's work, and assured the natives that the Public Trustee was their best friend, conserving their interests and at the same time Beeing that full justioe was done to the European Teßseea. Optjnaki, This Day. The Premier delivered a political address here last evening. This morning he goes on to Parihaka, where a large number of natives have gathered. It is, however, raining, and the weather will apparently be very bad.