THE NATIVE CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14391, 9 June 1910, Page 6

THE NATIVE CONFERENCE.

ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS. \ A BIG MAORI GATHERING. [by TELEQKArn.—own correspondent.] / / Htjntly, Wednesday. Large crowds have assembled at the settlement at Waahi for the native conference. The kianga presents an animated spectacle, ana 100 cooks are busily engaged in preparing food for the visitor's. The number at present in the pa is variously estimated at from 1000 to 1500, but on Thursday this number will be largely increased by the advent of large numbers of natives from all quarters of the Dominion. To provide food for the large number of natives present, as well as for the local population, is no small task, and to-day no fewer than 1168 meals were served to visitors. The following victuals were issued to-day 300 41b loaves, 15 bags of sugar, one'ton of flour, 5001b of rice, 3cwt biscuits, two bullocks, 201b tea, 1001b butter, and two cases of jams. This does not include large quantities of maize, kumaras, potatoes, tunas, mussels, pipis, and toheroas: The firewood consumed in cooking the food filled seven four-horse waggons, and the expenses are thus very heavy. These have been principally borne by the Waikato natives, but the visitors have been also contributing largely. The representatives _of one tribe alone presented the treasury with notes to the value of £50. Financial matters are left in the capable hands of Mrs. Mahuta. The object of the meeting is principally to confirm the decisions arrived at during the conference held nearly a year ago, when the natives agreed to partition their lands by splitting them up into four sections., namely :—(1) Those to be retained for native farms; (2) those to be sold ; (3) those to bo leased; (4) those to be given for the mana.of Mahuta. The proceeds of the sale were to go to defray the expenses of the institution of a papakainga, in which Maori customs may be perpetuated, Maori institutions be observed, and native laws be given effect to. The question of the proclamation of 1884, whereby the introduction of intoxicants into the Rohepotae was stringently forbidden, will be discussed, and it is expected reaffirmed, as King Mahuta is strongly in favour of prohibition throughout the King Country. To-morrow Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister), the Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister), the Hon. A. T. Ngata., and others of the Government party, will receive a most hearty welcome, the natives appearing to appreciate highly the presence of the Prime Minister, whose visit will come as a most gratifying surprise. No details have been arranged as the hour of the Prime Minister's arrivel at Waahi is not known.