HONE HEKE AT ORAKEI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9714, 9 January 1895, Page 5

HONE HEKE AT ORAKEI.

AN ATTACK UPON THE GOVERNMENT.

Hone Heke, M.H.R., received at enthusiastic reception from the natives of Orakei, on his visit bo that place on Monday last. In welcoming him in the afternoon the old people expressed satisfaction at receiving such a visit from their representative, and remarked that it was quite a new departure. In reply Hone Heke said it was the duty of their representatives to come before them from to time and explain the work of the session. In the evening he addressed a large and enthusiastic gathering. He told them that the mistake of the past was that the mistake of the past was that their representatives had not educated the natives up to the politics of the country. He thought the: time had come when they should be made to understand the laws affecting themselves and their lands. He showed that the Government had deceived the people by breaking the pledges of self-reliance and non-borrowing made at the last general election. With referonce to the claim of the Government to be a working man's Government, he contended that that also was a fallacy, for the number Of men who were out of work and almost starving was as great, if not greater, than was the case two or three years ago. Hone Heke ridiculed the statements made by the Premier and his colleagues when they visited the Maori people that they had a great love for the natives, and contended that such statements were not borne out by facts. He instanced the native legislation of last session, specially condemning the provision that the Crown should be the sole purchaser of native land as unjust. He knew of ca«es in tho King Country where tho Government offered the native owners 3s an acre for land for which private individuals were prepared to pay from £1 to 30s. The same thing occurred throughout the island. The effect of such legislation was to place what the Maoris called tapu upon their lands. The whole thing was nothing else than legalised robbery. Hone Heke also denounced in the strongest terms the action of the Government in connection with the Little Barrier. It was a disgraceful proceeding. The Government were prejudiced against any reasonable arguments, but by means of their majority they forced anything they desired through the House. He next dealt with the troubles connected with the Horowhenua Block, and condemned the attitude of the Government. He said that the natives could easily understand that such actions by no means bore out the Premier's profession of love for the Maoris. Other matters were also dealt with. The natives present expressed themselves as thoroughly pleased with Hone Heke's action in Parliament, and declared their confidence in him as their representative.'

Hone Hoke leaves for Helensville this morning where ho will address . another native gathering.