THE NATIVE MINISTER AND WAHANUI.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2702, 5 December 1882, Page 3

THE NATIVE MINISTER AND WAHANUI.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TEI.EGBAM.] WELLINGTON, December 4,

The following is Mr Bryce’s letter to Wahanui :—“ Auckland. Friend Wahanui, greeting,—This is a letter from me to you, which you will do well to regard as one of great importance. I address you because of Tawhaio’s word that the decision had gone from him to you. My first word is in regard to Tawhaio and my recent visit to Alexandra and Whatiwhatihoe. Now Tawhiao was willing to accept the liberal terms I offered him, but it was you yourself, speaking for the Ngatimaniopoto, which prevented him doing so, and whatever the consequences may be, you will have to bear them. Enough; that is past. There is another matter —that the hand of the law is suspended over criminals in your district. Now last session of Parliament an Act was passed which enabled the Government to issue a proclamation of pardon for the offenders, but how can this proclamation be issued while Tawhaio claims a sovereignty setting himself outside the Queen’s law, and you support him in it. If the hand of the law descends on the culprits, who will have to blame but you. Enough of that. When you spoke at Whatiwhatihoe you seemed to desire to go back to the discussion of old matters, and the causes of trouble between the two races in the Waikato. lam ready to enter upon that if you really desire it, but remember that the Ngatimaniopotos were as deep in the trouble as the Waikatos, and if so how will you justify that the same punishment should not have fallen upon them as upon the Waikatos. I will not begin the discussion. It is for you to say whether these tribes are to be dragged back from the darkness, where they are now hidden. There also is another thing for you to look at. You have closed that part of .the country in which you reside against travellers, but that can’t long remain so. There are three reasons why it should be opened by roads and railways, any one of which is sufficiently strong. First, all the rest of New Zealand is open to the public by roads and railways. Your conduct in keeping this part of the country closed is a sign of enmity to the colony. If indeed you and your people were enemies of the Government and the colony, it might be right if we were to continue friends as we now are. What reason can you give ? This is one strong reason. Another is that the Government own large blocks of land near Mokau, and it is unreasonable to suppose that they will consent to be denied access to their own lands. The third reason is that the construction of such public works will greatly enhance the value of everybody’s land through which they pass, as well as benefit others, both Maoris and Europeans. These reasons are strong, and should convince you that you are taking a course injurious alike to others and yourselves. Now these are all matters of importance. Do you reflect on them. lam willing still to assist you all in making proper arrangements. Ido not use empty words. The question now is whether you desire to confer with me for such a purpose ? If you do, well we can meet at some place I will appoint, and discuss the things which concern us all. If you do not desire to make proper arrangements, still you will remember that I have made the offer to meet you, and that I desire to make arrangements beneficial alike to all. It is my wish that you will communicate the contents of this, my letter, to the people, so that they may know with whom the fault lies if trouble hereafter come upon us. Prom your friend.—(Signed) John Bryce.