NATIVE MEETING AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9022, 7 April 1888, Page 6

NATIVE MEETING AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

A native who was present at the Bay of Islands meeting furnishes us with the following report:—The annual meeting of native chiefs, held at the Bay of lelands, on the spot where the memorable treaty of Waitangi was signed, has just concluded. There was a large muster, representing the principal tribee in the North Island. Paora Tuhaere, of Orakei, was unanimously elected to take charge of the proceedings. The question of past administration of native affairs was thoroughly discussed, and mach dissatisfaction was expressed. Resolutions were drawn up and numerously signed, praying that the Native Lands Court shouUibe abolished. Numerous cases were quoted to show that much injury had been done to the natives under the various Land Court Acts, and it was alleged that in the very cases where European Judges would bo expected to give a fair, unbiassed, and impartial judgment—that is, in cases where two or more tribes were the owners of a certain block of land, wrongful awards had been frequently made. If, then, it was contended European Land Courts were unfit to deal with these technicalities and existed only as a means of depriving native owners of their land, besides creating a number of European salaried officials, wbosa fees, etc (which were generally heavy) ivere of coarse charged against the land, they (the. natives) could no longer be expected to submit to it. Again, it was shown ihat under the various Acts passed for the administration of native lands many blocks lad been absolutely forced into the Courts iespite the efforts of the principal owners. Finally the Land Conrta were a means of sxciting the cupidity of those whose interjste were small in a block of land, but ivho could requisition that the block be mbdivided. This would entail surveying, road making, &c, and all this could be lone whether the principal owners agreed >r otherwise. The expenses were charged igainst the block, and so in a short time ihe chief discovered that if he does not attend the Court, whatever claim he has (vill be quietly ignored. A number of >ther matters were brought before the meeting, and finally it was decided to send * monster petition to Parliament pointing jut their grievance, and praying for relief. Ajnong other resolutions, was one suggesting that a Maori Committee be formed, sanctioned, and authorised by Government to deal with all matters connected with lative affairs. Further, if the Colonial jovernment will not grant such reasonable requests, founded, as they are, on treaty rights and cquitv, an approach will be made to the Imperial Government in such a manner as cannot be ignored with impunity, having regard to the public opinion oi European statesmen.