A NATIVE MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 8717, 8 January 1892, Page 4

A NATIVE MEETING.

At the Native meeting at Parakino, up the Wanganui River, chiefs were present from Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taupo, East Gape, Napier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands, and Wanganui. exchange of compliments took place between Major Kemp and Te Kooti. Mention was made of the fact that during the war Kemp had chased Te Kooti, and was anxious to oatoh him, but they both hoped all that would be forgotten and they would henceforth be friends. The number present is estimated at about 1,600, besides children, Te Kooti alone was accompanied by 240 mounted followers. Te Kooti has kept very close all the time, rarely showing himself outside of his tent until after the Europeans had left. The meeting to-day has partaken more of the nature of a feast, but this morning a discussion of the Government native lands policy took place. Every speaker was dead against ft, and aegitjed jjnanimjty was shown in expressions of disapproval. Te did not 'speak. A private committee meeting will he held tonight to decide the course to he taken, The attitude of the meeting js regarded as significant of the passive resistance which will result in the shattering np of the native lands policy by the refusal to sell. The business of the meeting is understood to be ended, and the tribes will be returning home in the next few days.