LORD GLASGOW AT ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

LORD GLASGOW AT ROTORUA.

THE GOVERNOR ON FEDERATION.

MEETING WITH NATIVES.

Rotobua, March 3. His Excellence the Governor, attended by Major Elliot, and accompanied by th« Hon. James Carroll, arrived by special train at five o'clock last niglik. There was no organised demonstration over the reception, but a large number of European residents and visitors, and a number of the more prominent natives were present on the railway platform when the train drew up. Oil the Governor stepping from the Carriage Mr. W. Kelly, M.H.R., presented Mr. James Shaw, of West Australia, who had been selected to present an address of welcome from visitors at presont here from all parts of be English-speaking world-the Australia?. South Africa, America, and the British Mauds. The address referred to the recent complications in Europe, pointing to the necessity of colonial federation. His KxCF.LLt.vcY, in his reply, expressed bis gratification that New Zealand was possessed of so much interest as to attract so many people from all parts of the world. 11l regard to the state of European politics, lie was glad to see that when the Empire was menaced the English speaking race gunk their differences and stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of their hearths and homes. He was also pleased to notice that America was represented in the address, and in reference to the little difficulty which had arisen with that country it was gratifying to notice that the press of both England and America were unanimous in the opinion that it would be a calamity if the goal feeling once existing were impaired. Addressing the natives present, His Excellency referred to the recent oiler of the Arawa tribe to lend their aid in case of trouble in the Transvaal. The tender of their services did them honour, and in the name of the Queen he thanked them. This morning His Excellency, as is his habit, sent a written reply to the address, in \\ inch he reiterated his satisfaction at receiving the greetings of representatives from ei"ht different parts of the Englishspeaking Globe. It was the hops of his Government that they would gradually do more to improve the various watering places of the colony, which were of so much benefit to invalids. The reply continued as follows :V 1 feel that it would be unbecoming of me were I to leave unnoticed the allusions in your address to those occurrences of late which have so deeply stirred our race as to call forth expressions of patriotic feeling from all paru of the British Empire, such us to which you have given utterance, and I cordially re-echo the conclusions at which you have arrived. A closer union and a more enduring friendship between the two great divisions of the English speaking race, which now numbers something like one'hundred and twenty millions is very much to be desired, and we muse hope for its attainment. With regard to the other events of the lass few months I sincerely trust that the principal result will be to brine about federation in Australia, and to draw closer the tie? that connect the colonies and the mother country. Such a crisis as the present only serves to show that the present generation of Britons Do«<e«« the spirit that animated their fathers, and that while they desire peace and a quiet lite, they will not shrink from a „v menace in order to defend the noble heritage which has been handed down to them by their- forefathers." This morning at nine o'clock bis hxceilency attended by Major Elliot and accompanied by Captain Mair, the Hon. J. Carroll, and Mr. W. Kelly, M.H.R., proceeded to Tame Te fvapua, where a number of the principal natives were assembled to offer their salutations. The speakers comprised Mahenga Te Waharoa, Te Tupara, Eruera Te P.iemoe. and others, who apostrophised their distinguished visitor in very figurative language, designating him the " father of both races," " the bnnger of pood tidiiws, 1 ' "the shepherd who comes to gather his flock to the fold." Reference was ma de to the persistent loyalty of the Arawa, and every speaker deplored the fact that their number was fast decreasing, and their lands slipping out of their hands into those of the Government. It was, however, admitted by the speakers that the latter misfortune was their own act, which left them "swimming about in the ocean with nowhere to go.'' His Excellency, in reply, expressed his pleasure at finding himself in the Meeting Hou«e of the Arawa tribe. During the last two months he had visited the natives from the North Cape to Tauranga, and had met with the same hearty greetings. He had noted what they had said about the land slipping away from them, and to that Mr. Carroll would no doubt reply. The Queen was concerned in the welfare of her Maori subjects, and he was sure that the present Government was animated by a desire to do their duty impartially between the native race and those of their own blood and kindred. During the last few years the legislation passed in regard to native affairs had been in advance of any passed before. It was the wish of the Queen, of the Government, and of the pakehas to see their Maori friends settle down on the lands reserved for them, and show the same energy in pastoral and agricultural pursuits as their ancestors displayed in deeds of arms. The gallant actions the natives had fought would not be forgotten, but would be remembered as long as New Zealand was New Zealand. Mr. Carroll followed, alluding to the allegiance maintained by the tribe in war time. They must now, however, depend on their industry for what they required, and take example from their European brethren. They had still more land than they needed for their maintenance, and it was of their own accord they had sold what was lost to them. If Europeans had been allowed to purchase it, it would have all gone. With the Government as the purchaser, natives in distress could look to them for assistance, and it would not be refused. Provision had been made that all landless natives should be provided with a sufficiency of land to live on, and that was another good reason why the Government should be the purchaser. Mata Tf. Waharoa referred to the death of Wi Maihi, and asked that a stone should be erected to his memory in the town of Rotorua. The Governor replied that the request was a creditable and reasonable one, and he would lay it before his advisers. Ho also expressed regret that several of their leading men, whom he would hare liked to hare been, were absent. The meeting broke up with cheers. His Excellency then proceeded through the native pa to Lake House where an early luncheon was partaken of. Matenga te Waharoa here presented the visitor with a epear which had been handed down from father to son for many generations. Lord Glasgow in accepting it said he would take care that it was left as an heirloom in his own family.