MR. SEDDON AT PARIHAKA " POKING BORAX" AT A PREMIER.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 116, 17 May 1895, Page 2

MR. SEDDON AT PARIHAKA " POKING BORAX" AT A PREMIER.

THREE EIVAL DIPLOMATISTS. ibl telegraph.— pheßß association. | Ofunake. This Dat. The Premier visited Parihaka to-day, and was warmly received by the natives with songs of Welcome and music. Wi Farata, formerly in the Honse and member of a Ministry, received him, and conducted him to the house of one of Te Whiti's sons. At the outset, Mr. Seddon objeoted to the exolueion of the Bey. Mr. Hammond, who hod been denied admittance in consequence of remarks he was reported to have made at Pates against .the visit of the Premier to Parihaka, and after Borne little discussion, in which the Premier pointed out that Mr. Hammond had acted simply as interpreter, firmly requested that he should be admitted. To Whiti backed down, and Mr. Hammond was brought in. Te Whiti then welcomed the Premier, bnt s>id that in consequence of litigation and the law he could not welcome sti angers as ho could wish, or according to the style of his parents and forefathers. If the Premier had anything to say then he was ready to receive it. Mr. Seddon offered salutations to all assembled, without distinction. They werH all friends, under the same Queen, and there was one law for all. As a servant of the Queen he considered it his duty to visit the natives in both inlands, and having on his return from Auokland received an invita ion to visit Parihaka and the natives of the West Coast, which he could not at the timo accept, be had now come because he hid said he would do so. His word was as good as his bond, bsing the word of the Government. The welcome accorded to him he did not take to be personal to himself, but as to the servant of the Queen and Prime Minister of the colony. It had pained him to hear that legislation and law had prevented Te Whiti doiDg all that he would have wished to do, and if laws were defective it was proper to arrive at an understanding, so that justice might be done. Neither the present nor past Parliaments had wilfully wronged anyone, European or native, and if misnnder* standings had arisen natives had been as much to blame as Enropeana. He knew the law, and if Te Wbili had a doubt about any point he would be glad to give him an explanation, Te Whiti — I am not quite clear. There have been faults on both sides. The Premier— That is what I have said. Te Whiti— What will the remedy be ? The Premier — That, time will disclose. It took seven days to make the world. Te Whiti dramatically put off his coat, and throwing it on the floor Baid that his ooat having been torn, it would not take seven days to kill him. He wonld be perißfied with the cold. Where was he left by the law ? i The Premier said that if he would have patience he wonld know before he (Mr. Seddon) left where he (Te Whiti) was. Te Whiti then put on his ooat and resumed his seat, and the Premier, referring to his question, said that when Europeans took off their coats it showed they meant to fight. Te Whiti— That is the inside passion whioh oreates strife. After some chaffing remarks between the two, Te Whiti returned to his ooat metaphor, and asked where was the justice of stuffing a man and his coat, and the Premier said that if Te Whiti would express his grievanoest and would Bpeak to him as his position demanded he should be spoken to; h4 would show To Whiti the respect he was entitled to. He was there to listen, and wished to listen to Te Whiti or to anyone of the native race. He asked this with a view of doing what was best for both races, and as he was there as the representative and the head of the Parliament of the country, it was the duty of the natives to give him their hearts, so that there might be no mißtakes made in the future. Te Whiti said the Parliament had torn his ooat. At this stage, the natives made an objection to the interpreter, and a native was tried as interpreter, but was not a suoceßs. After a little farther talk there was an adjournment for lunch. A great luncheon was served, the Premier and party and a considerable number of Europeans being entertained. There were hakas and poi dances by Te Whiti natives, Tohn's followers all through having been conspicuous by their absence. After a couple of hours' interval the interview was resumed, the Premier stating that if anything was to be said he wished it to be said shortly, for hd had to get over bad roads before blaoknees came on If Te Whiti had anything to sas>t he would reply on behalf of the Government. Waitara (Te Whiti's son), asked the Premier to atay all night, but Mr. Seddon expressed regret that his engagements would not admit of this. A f ter apause Mrs. Simeon urged that if the natives had any grievances they shonld open their hearts. If Te Whiti's coat was torn, the Premier Was the man to mead it. Te Whiti, however,acoußedMrs. Simeon|of being in collusion with the Premier, and said she had better not interfere. If there was anything to say, let the Premier say it, because he (Te Whiti) had nothing to soy. The Premier asked if anyone else had any* thing to say. A native replied that there were only two men in the housß to speak— Te Whiti and the Premier. The Premier replied that he had no grievance, and if the natives had nothing to say it would be pleasant for him to go and say that he had seen the people, and found that they were hospitable, happy, and Contented, but that Parihaka was the only place in New Zealand where the natives hod ho grievance. Rumour had been false, tor he had heard there were many grievances, and was glad that all they had to say to him was to invite him to stay all night. Te Whiti — What grievanoe have you heard of ? The Premier referred to Te Whiti's own oomplaint — that law and litigation had done him wrong. However, good would come of his visit, for he hod seen enough without hearing anything. Te Whiti— That is it. After a pause, Waitara said that if the Premier had said all ho had to say the natives had. 'J he Premier said he would be very glad to be able to go back and say Te Whiti, in his presence, was dumb. To Whiti said the Premier had come to Parihaka and had nothing to say. The talk was finished. The interview terminated, and later the Premier went across the village to Tohu's house, in response to a message that that chief would be glad to see him. Tohu re* ceived him on a dais in an upstair room of a frame house of modern stylo, and after salutations had been exchanged, the Premier said bo considered he wonld not have been doing his duty as bead of the Government if he hod not come when Tohu Baid he wanted him. Tohu, in replying, said that while the Premier was the great man at the head of his Government, he (tohu) was the great man of his psopln. He asked who had invited the Premier to come to Patihalca ? The Premior said he bad oomo with Mr. Smith, M.H.R., and Mr. Smith, who was present, Baid that for months past Te Whiti and his people had been asking when the Premier would come, and he had sent word to the Premier that he was expeoted. Tohu said he had not invited anyone, bnt if the Premier had anything to say he would be glad to hear him. The Premier said he had only to say that he was glad to see bo many of the native race gathered together and enjoying themselves. Tohu said the position he took np was that the land, and Te Whiti, and the world, belonged to him. The interview then terminated, and the party left Parihaka shortly before dark.