NATIVE MEETING- AT OHINEMUTU.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 216, 1 March 1882, Page 2

NATIVE MEETING- AT OHINEMUTU.

(per united press association.)

OHINEMUTU, Yesterday.

A large meeting was held here on Monday for the purpobe of presenting an address to the Premier, and affording the natives an opportunity of bringing several matters under his notice. There was a very large attendance of natives and Europeans. The address congratulated the Premier on his arrival, and thanked him for his visit. The Maoris thoroughly approved of the Thermal Springs Act of last session, and expected it would be the means of providing a living for themselves and their children. Other complimentary remarks to Parliament wound up with God Save the Queen. The Premier replied m terms which elicited strong marks of approval from both Maoris and Europeans. He thanked the natives for their cordial welcome, and reminded them that there could only be one sovereign for the people of this country, namely, the Queen, whose desire it was to promote the welfare and happiness of both races. There was a Parliament to eimct laws, and in this Parliament there were native representatives. The duty of Ministers was to carry out the laws which Parliament made. He would lay their address before Parliament. He then asked the leading chiefs to explain their grievances to him. Several important matters are being discussed.