SOUTH ISLAND MAORIS.

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1922, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND MAORIS.

HUI AT TUAHIWI. CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. Tuahiwi, the little Maori village near Kaiapoi, was the scene of unusual activity yesterday, when the Natives began to arrive for the hui being held there this week. The shrill, long-drawn cry of welcome given by a wahme at the gate of the camp apprised the three or four pakeha visitors who arrived by the morning train from Christchurch that they had reached the meetingplace. Huge marquees have been pre pared for the accommodation of the visitors in a field opposite the Tuahiwi Hall, while on each side of the hall ar< other tents, one to serve as a dining place, and the other for the people to meet in conclave before the hall is of Hcially opened. Yesterday there were only some 206 Maoris in camp, but it is expected that the attendance will be something over 2000 by to morrow, when the hui really begins in earnest. Those already in camp include Maoris from Akaron, Little River, Waimate, Rakain, Temuka, Nelson, Pictol), and other parts of the South Island, and during the morning there were many quiet reunions. The majority were working, raking tho ground surrounding tho sleepingtents, burning rubbish, assembling long tables on trestles, and gradually preparing the camp for the big influx of visitors. The main hall has accominolation for about 500 people, and will make an excellent hall for d; nces and concerts, the stage being up-to-date in •very respect, and not merely a raised dais. Yesterday a meeting was held in one of the marquees to allow the visitors to express their opinions on certain quest ions which are to be brought be core the Native Minister, tho most mportant of which is Te Ilapo Ouui;ineri—the unfulfilled pledge. This alcdge, which the Maoris are now •da imi ng to have fulfilled is in regard to the town of Greymouth, which, tho natives assert, belongs to tho Maori people until the Government has paid compensation amounting to something like £350,000. Mr Uru extended a hearty welcome to the visitors from various parts of New Zealand and said that he hoped the discussions at the hui would proxc of use to the Maoris of the South Island. They were a very small nation and must pull together for the benefit of the whole. He asked the people to support their elders who we>c carrying on Native affairs, for the <in\tof the latter were numbered. He con siderml that preference should be giver: to the obi people in bringing tiic van ous matters under the notice of the Min ister. He had called the meeting to dis •liss the Maori claim and the purchase of the township of Greymouth by the pakeha people. In regard to the claim the Government clearly said that the financial position was bad. They woulc put the question before the Native Min istor, who, it was hoped, might softer his heart and give eff<‘ct to the rccom mendation of the last Royal Commis sion appointed to go into the matter Another thing they wished to stresr was that money tied up by tho Native Trustee was earning very small interes l and if they could get that money ou' they could obtain the ruling rate o: interest. A Bill was being brought be fore the House which would affect tin native townships in lliu North Island and lie hoped that Ihcy would all strivi to obtain an miiuriblo settlement o. Ollier sp<‘.'ilr<■ i 4 \ver»’ the Hou. Join Topi, M.L.C.. Hone Tarrc Tikao (Ra paki), Mr l’<d<i MeDon.ild (I‘icton) and Mr 8. M< Ihnmld i Levin). The meeting, which whk coiidiictcr hi Maori th i oughout, was adjouruei •ifter about an hour mid a-half of dis cussion.