THE NATIVE MINISTER'S TOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 9708, 17 May 1895, Page 4

THE NATIVE MINISTER'S TOUR.

at oruxAici:. The Hon. Mr Seddon was presented at Opunake on Wednesday evening with an address from the Town Board, representing the people, of tho district. The address, among other things, said : " The administration of the West Coast Settlement Reserve Act, 1892, is not giving that satisfaction which was anticipated when passed. The principal source of dissatisfaction arises from the fact that the Public Trustee performs all acts solely in the interests of the Natives, and altogether regardless of consideration for European lessees, with whom hi; slates he is in no way concerned." Mr Soddon-said, as to the Public Trustee, he found that, the settlers did not realise that the Trustee was bound to carry out the law, or be actionable for breach of "trust. If the law was defective, then the duty of the Legislature was to amend the law, but it was not the Trustee who was to blame. The present law was far in advance of the previous law in the interest of tenants. Men who were owners of freehold and left it in the hands of a trustee would expect the trustee to watch their interests and keep within the four corners of the law. This was all the Public Trustee was doing in respect to Native lands. AT I'ARMIAKA. On arrival the Native Minister was warmly received by the Natives with songs of welcome and music. Wi Parata (formerly in the House and a member of a Ministry) received him, and eondiuted him to the house of one of Te Whiti's sons. At the outset Mr Seddon objected to the exclusion of the Rev. Mr Hammond, who had been denied admittance in consequence of the remarks lie was reported to have made at Patea concerning Mr Seddon's visit to Parihaka. After some little discussion, in which the Premier pointed out that Mr Hammond was wauted simply as interpreter, he firmly requested that he should be admitted. Te VVhiti backed down and Mr Hammond was brought in. Te Whiti then welcomed the Premier, but said that in consequence of legislation and law he could not welcome""strangers as he would wish or according to the style of his parents and forefathers. If the Premier had anything to say, then lie was ready to receive it. Mr Seddon offered salutations to all assembled without distinction. They were all friends under the same Queen, and there was one law for both as servants of the Queen. He considered it his duty to visit the Natives in both islands, and having on his return from Auckland received at New Plymouth an invitation to visit Parihaka aud the Natives of the West Coast, which he could not at that time accept, he had now come because he had said he would do so. His word was as good as his bond, being the word of the Government. The welcome accorded to him lie 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 doing all he would have wished to do, and if the laws were defective it was proper to arrive at an understanding, so that justice might be done. He spoke for Parliament, and said that neither the present nor past Parliaments had wilfully wronged anyone—Europeans or Natives. If a misunderstanding had arisen the Natives had been as much to blame as Europeans. He knew the law, and if Te Whiti had a doubt about any point he would be glad to give hj m an explanation. Te Whiti: I am not quite clear. There have been faults on both sides.

The Premier: That is what I have said. Tc Whiti : What will the remedy be ? The Premier : That time will disclose. It took seven days to make the world. Te Whiti dramatically put oil' his coat and threw it on the iloor, and said that his coat having been torn oil' it would not take seven days to kill him; he would have perished with the cold where he was left by the law. The Premier said if he would have patience he would know before ho (Mr Seddon) left where he (Te Whiti) was. Te Whiti then put on his coat 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 asked where was the justice of stuiling a man and'his coat, and the Premier said that if Te Whiti would express his grievances and would speak to him as his position demanded he should be spoken to he would show Te Whiti the respect he was entitled to. He was there to listen, and wished to listen to Te Whiti or to any one of the Native race. He asked that with a view of doing what was best for both races, aud as he wa3 there as the representative, 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 mistake made in future.

Te Whiti said Parliament had torn his coaC.

At this stage the Natives made an objection to the interpreter, and a Native was tried as interpreter, but was not a success, and after a little further talk there was an adjournment for lunch. A great lunch was served, the Premier and party and a considerable number of Europeans being entertained. There were hakas and poi dances by Te Whiti Natives, Tohu'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 he had to get over bad road 3 before the blackness came on. If Te Whiti had anything to say he would reply on behalf of the Government.

Waitara (Te Whiti's sou) asked the Premier to stay all night, but this Mr Sedd/m regretted his engagements would not admit of.

After a pause Mrs Simon urged that if the Natives hid any grievances they should open their hearts.

Te Whiti, however, accused her of being in collusion with the Premier, and said she had better not interfere. If there wa3 anything to say let the Premier say it, because he (Te Whiti) had nothing to say. The Premier asked if anyone else had anything to say.

A Native said there were only two men in the Hou3e to speak—Te Whiti and the Premier.

The Premier replied that he had do grievance, and, if the Natives had nothing to ■uay, it would be pleasant for him to go and -3ay that he had seen the people and found that they were hospitable, happy, and contented ; that Parihaka was the only place in New Zealand where the Natives had no .■grievance, and that rumor had been false, li'oi 1 he had keard there were many grievances, and was gkid that all they had to say 4.0 him was to invite him to stay all night. Te Whiti: What was the grievance you heard of ?

The Premier referred to Te Whiti's own complaint that law and legislation had done him wrong. However, he thought good would come of his visit,, for lie had seen •enougu without learning anything. Te Whiti: That is it.

After a pause, Waitara said that if the Premier had said all he had to say they had.

The Premier said : 1 fciiould be very glad to bo able to go back and any Te Whiti in my presence was dumb. Te Whiti said the Premier had come to Pacihaka and had nothing to say. The talk was then finished, and the interview terminated. Later the Premier went across the village to Tohu'a house in response to a message that Tohu would be glad to see him. Tohu received him on a dais in an upstairs room of a frame house of modern .style, and after salutations the Premier said foe considered he would not have been doing 2ii* duty as head of the Government if he had not come when lohu said he wanted Jiim.

Tohu, ?n reply, said that while the Premier was a great man at the head of the Government he (Tohu) was the great man of his jpeople. He asked who had invited the Premier to come to Parihaka.

The Premier said he i.s.d come with Mr Smith, M.H.R. for New Plymouth, and MrSmith, who was present, said that for months past Te Whiti and his people h/?.d been asking when the Premier would come, and he had sent word to the Premier that he was expected. Tohu said he had not invited anyone, but if the Premier had anything to say he would foe glad to hear him.

The Premier had only to say he was glad to see so many of the Native race gathered together and enjoying themselves. Tohu said the position he took up was that the land'was Te Whiti's and the world belonged to him. The interview then terminated, and the party left Parihaka shortly before dark.