Native Grievances.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 6 (Supplement)

Native Grievances.

•WORRIES OF FIFTY YEARS „ . AGO. COMPLAINTS ABOUT CONFISCATIONS. A STINGING REBUKE. In November 1873, tluTthen Native Minister, Mr. (atterrarcis Sir) Ronald McLean, paid a visit to 'Juranga (no-i -Gisborne) and met representatives ot tbe various tribes at the old Courthouse. Amount those vvho were present were the Hon. Te Modena, Major Ronata, Henarc Potae, Imika Whanga and various other cruets. When°the Native Minister had intimated that Ire was ready to hear what the local chiefs wished to speak upon Paora Kati arose and said: ‘‘We have nothing in particular to say; we have come here to listen to you A A sus- , tairred pause followed wn:ch Matonga - Tote relieved by remarking that the resident c h'iefs wished to have returned tiro Hnu Haus of the Aitangi-a-r v |~l raki who were, in Wiremu Knigi’s eh’-u-ire at Gp'»t : ki. Again there was a" "pause and AVi Haronga rose and suggested that if the Minister lntendeffto return land to the Te Aitanga- -■ M-ihaki tribe and the Eongowliakaata tribe all would be well. “Let the chiefs from other places,’' he added, “cease from administering our arf'nirs. What though we be Hau Haus? Let a- trv if we cannot manage our own business.” .interrogated by Mr. McLean as to who he was referring to \yi Haronga said: “I refer to Henare Polar, Media Ronata, rtfakena Kohere ■ ai’d Paora To Apatn.’ - In clue course Yv'i Pere took a turn in the discussion. He emphasised that thev wished’ to have given back to them their burial grounds at I atutahi, at Wnhanui and at Ivarteratahi: tliat' they should receive £SOOO of the Patutahi purchase money from the Crown and the return of the Hau Haus at Opotiki. Supporting \U Pere, Paiiapn Maihopi said that some of the Hau Haus who had hewn exiled had already returned. Koani Ruru then entered upon an explanation of tlie position fiom liis point of view. Incidentally lie said that the Rongowhakaata tribe had lost all their land for the crimes of all the Hau Haus at Tnranga; that the Ncaituhupo did not lose any land; jukl that onlv a small portion of the bind confiscated had -belonged to Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki. j';.ora Kati favored a more extensive outline of anv grievances. He told the Native complainants that they were wrong in objecting to what thev regarded as interference on the ' part of Ropata, Henare and Mokena for thev had benefited as a result of their administrative work. He disputed the value of some Crown grants made at the instance of Raharuhi. . According to Wi Pere, Patutahi was taken and divided amongst Ngntiporou, Ngatikahunguuu and the Government. The tribes mentioned had pron'i. d to return their shares as an act of grate. This had not been done; instead""' the tribes had divided the lauds amongst themselves. Such bein rr Hir- cause tliev cud not want, fur the r interference on their part." Ur. McLean, in reply, said:— ' “You, the people of Tnranga, have net hitherto shown yourselves capable of managing your own affairs ; you talk largely of your powers.' You could not do it even ivlien your old chiefs wore alive; and von have always evinced a fickleness and a desire for change, without considering the consequences which would iollow. V. hen the Hau Hau doctrine came among you, vou readily adopted it and you were completely lecl away. Now you express vour jealousy because other chiefs arc desired to come here. It you refer to tbe Ngatiporou chiefs, { toll vou they have a light,’to come here at any time and will do so whenever requested I have asked them to come here and will do so again when I consider it necessary. You have no chiefs to whom any attention is paid; and the old proverb holds good—‘Turanga tangata rite.’ i.£“.. ‘Chiefs and all are of equal standing at Turanga.’ The bind question has already been satisfactorily settled by the Commission which has recently sat here; and T am not prepared to make any further concessions in either land or rnonev. as you may consider yourselves liberally treated. You would not have received so much consideration if vou had assumed a defiant attitude; and I tell you so again. When you have complaints vou will gain nothing by adopting an unfriendly course. Some of you have asked for the return of the Hau Haus at Opotiki and I hear that Wi Pore has advised them to come away stealthily. It such means be employed you ennnot expect me to assent to your wishes. Had a frank request been made for their return, and security offered for their good behaviour, the Government might have entertained the request f as it is, they will not be nermitted to-return. The burial ground at Patutahi'will be reserved for you; with regard to the others, I can make no promise. You are living in the midst of an increasing and 'prosperous community of Europeans, by whose example you should profit. ,1 hope you will lean; from them habits of industry which you see they possess and which you will find will be much more beneficial to you than fruitless agitations. You should bear in mind that Euro mans are an increasing peoplc and that it will be greatly to your advantage to avoid unnecessary contentions and to dwell with them on peaceable terms.” AYi Pere stoutly denied that he had induced anv of the Hau Haus at Opotiki to return. “We are going up there,” he said, “and can have the matter cleared up.” With some heat the Hon. Mokena Kohere then addressed Wi Haronga with reference to his complaint about the Waifipu and Wairoa chiefs interfering in connection with Poverty Ray matters. “This,” he said, “is my word to you. You had the opportunity of dealing with your lands, hut you’ threw it away. My hands are e'rer.: take your land.” Maim I’i.pvitn was equally as pertinent k- liis remarks, “if, ’he sail, “the Government had seen any fault in our administration the*- would have toiipr.s to cease;, it is not fitting - that vot; should presume to dictate to us. Ir, l«6o trouble conumneed here and ir. has existed ever niicc. We. the chiefs of other districts,., have done our best to prevent matters being worse with vou and we have succeeded to a certain extent. It the troubles of this place had ended, wc should have ceased to visit you.” Ihakhr Whanga also gave Wi Har- I onga n suitable dressing down. “If.” “you are competent to administer the affairs of- your people, why did you not prevent these trouble's? When Kcreopa came here with his mischief you were eager to support his cause, and that was the commencement of your downfall. We have retained some of your land for the misdeeds of your Hau Haus; and some vve have returned to you. The lard W 3 have returned to you, you have either sold, mortgaged or disposed of in some other way; and now vou are dissatisfied. You should be Mad to we:c->me a stats of show good feeling towards tbe viovWi Haronga professed greatly hurt feelings. '“I am,” he said, “blamed for not having been able to restrain my people. If they had listened to ■ m y advice, they would now be in ditierenf circumstances. They are easily led away and . when Henare :Matua came here they followed him. I was ' sorry Hat was not listened to; ana

now the blame of all is thrown upon mo.” Explaining -his part in the matter of the administration, Henare Potae said to Wi Haronga: “The Government saw that vou were unable to •manage matters by yourselves, and they asked us to assist you. However, in future, you can conduct your own affairs yourselves and we shall then see whether you are capable' of administering for yourselves. Anaura Matete told Mr. McLean that he was agreeable to lose the greater portion of his lands for joining the Hau Haus, but he thought he was entitled to a portion of land beside what had been given up to the Government. He would not ask for any of the land that had been confiscated, but for a portion that had been leased by the Government Natives. Mr. McLean’s advice to him was that he and Paora Kati should settle the matter between themselves.