TAWHIAO AND HIS CLAIMS ON NATIVE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 6343, 17 March 1882, Page 5

TAWHIAO AND HIS CLAIMS ON NATIVE LAND.

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM WETERE. | A fortnight ago we published a letter from Tawhiao, addressed to Wetere te Rerenga, ' chief of Mokau. To that we have received an answer, dealing with the whole question. The letter is aent to us both in Maori and English, but the great demand it wculd make on our space prevents our publishing it in both languages, although it is a pity that the .Maoris should not have it in their own tongue. The following is the letter .TO THE 2DITOR. Slß,—Salutations to you. I have seen Tawhiao's letter, published by Mr. C. O. Davis, in your newspaper. Friend, listen ! In that publication there is nothing true. lam wondering why that letter was published in the newspaper, and not sent to me, for the letter commences by saying, "To Wetere and the Mokau people." Your newspaper is not my place of abode. Mokau is my residence. This work is so different tu the nsual custom, that is why I am wondering how it ia that a letter to me should fall into your hands to publish. But I am glad you bare published the letter, as it enables me to explain clearly my views respecting this land, Mokau. For I only now know that Tawhiao is really making a claim that he has land at Mokau. Now. you listen. That man, Tawhiao, has no interest whatever in Mokau lands. The land belongs to us who live on it. From the time of our ancestors we have always occupied. We and our ancestors never saw Tawhiao living here. His plnce of abode was Waikato. I do not lay claim to any lands belonging to him. If we both went into the Native Lands Court I would not be afraid of the result. I am always asking the Government for this (a Court), in order that Mokau titles should be investigated. But, eventually, it will result in this, and the land will be put through the Court. It will then be soen to wham the land belongs. I have no fear of a Court. It is I who desired to have Land Court, in order that it may be soon ascertained tp whom the land belongs. Friend, I find fault with this European, Mr. C. O. Davis. Who appointed him tcr coramentupon-and give advice respecting the rights and wrongs of our lands? I thought he knew the workings of the law, and he would hare advised that all Maoris should go to the law to settle their disputes. But it appears to me as though Mr. Davis is a supporter of Maori customs. Friend, no European has a right 'to speak abtmt our doings. The law is clear, and you the Europeans should not try and block the road by which we, the Maoris, can get our disputes re our lands settled. Friend, if Tawhiao's talk about Mokau is on account of his kingship, still he will be wrong. You listen. When the Maori king, that is Potatau, was set up, the Mokau natives never took part in that work. They never liked the work of setting up a king. It was not until blood had flowed through the fighting of the pakeha and Maori, that the Mokau natives joined themselves to the king party. Not that they agreed to a king, but through the love they had for the people, in order that they should perish with the whole of tho people. Now I wish you again to listen. When Tawhiao had his March meeting at Hikurangi last year, he (Tawhiao) wanted a document written and signed by all the tribes, giving him tho control over all thu lands. Ngatimaniapoto would not on any account agree to this; I said I will never agree. I there and then left, and returned to Mokau, and did not stay to the end of that meeting. Friend, if Tawhiao owned the lands of Mokau, and he has authority over them, why did he ask us to give him the land? Sufficient. Friend, you publish this letter in your newspaper, so that both Maoris and Europeans may see it in the same manner as all persons saw Tawhiao's letter. From (signed) Wetebete Kerkn'ga. Kihikihi, March 14, 1882.