THE PREMIER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1212, 24 May 1895, Page 35

THE PREMIER.

HIS VISIT TO THE WEST COAST. By Telegraph.—Own Reporter. Patea, May 15. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. A, McKenna (Mayor of Patea), Deane (chairman of the Harbour Board), Symes, Oldham and J. Cowan waited upon the Premier at Patea last night to urge him to deliver a public address. In doing so, they pointed out that no member of the Government had so far favoured the people of Patea with an address.

The Premier promised to deliver an address on Saturday night. The deputation then introduced a variety of local matters. In the first place there were vexatious delays in the delivery from the Railway Wharf of goods arriving by sea, and considerable expense fox* haulage and storage was entailed. People sometimes had to wait 48 hours for tlio delivery of their goods. This was especially hard upon consignees at Hawera, Manaia and Waitotara. Then the train arrangements were very imperfect, and the business man who went to Hawera (18 miles distant) could not return the same day if he stayed there more than half art hour. The evening train from New Plymouth to Hawera should run as far as Patea. The Premier remarked that perhaps the railway people viewed with disfavour the competition of shipping for the carriage of goods. Mr Deane replied that there was no room for competition, as the freight from. Wellington by steamer was only 10s a ton,, as against <£3 or 124 a ton by rail. Then m new goods shed was needed to obviate two or three handlings of goods. The Premier promised to ask the Minister of Railways to look into the matter. Enquiry was also promised into the Mayor’s complaint that the Lands Department art* advertising the sale of surrendered university reserve leases to take place at Waverley, whereas these leases were originally sold at Patea. Mr Cowern urged the construction of a bridge over the Whenuakura River, so as to afford the district access to the back country, where 97,000 acres of Crown lands are situated. The bridge would cost only <£soo or <£6oo. The Premier promised to refer to the* Minister of Lands, and suggested that the-* member for the district should be communi - cated with in respect of all local matters. Finally, a request was made that a detective might be sent up to the district to inquire into certain recent cases of sheep and cattle stealing. This offence was stated tc> have become very common at Hawera ani& Patea, and at the latter place one farmer:, during Easter last, lost 200 ewes, whicLi must have been taken out of a paddock: where a fiock of 500 were kept. They had not boon heard of since. The Premier thought this a serious state 1 of things, and undertook to bring it undeir the notice of the Commissioner of Police. THE MEETING WITH THE NATIVES'. Patea, May 15. The meeting with the Natives took placo in the Courthouse this morning. Two leading chiefs had consideratelywritten out their speeches, and Constable Carr, who is an “Admirable Crichton” ht his way, read out the translations. Tutange Waionui’s written speech expressed pleasure at the Premier’s visit. He and his friend Ngarangi were very strong to obey the law and carry out the wishes of the Public Trustee. Te Whit a and Toku caused a deal of trouble. “ They said they were prophets, and that ail kingdoms and governments of the worl 1 will descend to them. Therefore, we think you should not visit them. Let tint subdivisions of land made by the PublS ?. Trustee be confirmed, and also permit Native whose land; has been confirmed him to raise money on mortgage through the Public Trustee so that he can improve the land. We are very sad at the work of Te Wkiti and Toku, and we strongly object to their followers visiting our settlement, lest trouble should fall upon us.” WiremuNgapakialso submitted a written speech as follows: I have heard than you are going to Parihaka to see Te Whiti and Tohu.. You are the head man of tho Government, and it is not good you shout t go on the invitation of a man of small im - portance. The man of small importance* should come to see the man in high au - thority. Te Whitt’s and Toku’s people came to Maintain last month. We wen t there to stop their coming to our settlements to eat up everything belonging t<v the people of the place, leaving them ve-.v poor. We, therefore, pray that shonM another lot of these men come to, ourvillages, let the Government turn thena back. We are staunch Queen Maoris, and. we are annoyed that these troublesome men visit ns. The Public Trustee has divided the land so that each man can have a farm to live on. If the Government wii 1 not turn Te Whiti and Tohu back, then lea the Government supply them with food. Ngapaki supplemented his written speoeN by reminding the Premier he had last yea •- declined to go out of his way to visit th‘> Maoju; King, saying the King if ho wisho i could see him at Wellington. Yet now to was going out of his way to visit Te Whits, at Parihaka—a self-constituted prophet!; whose work only led to confusion, and wit a whom the Natives of Patea had no sympathy, while the king was respected by his people. Ngarangi Katitea (Broughton), a halfcaste, addressing the Premier, said lie w.-.* U sacred stick of all the people of :ti ■& island. His first request was that the G vernment should establish a Native school at Whenuakura. The Premier asked: Why do not the Native children go to the public school ? Ngarangi said they did go, but it was rather distant. The European children wf Whenuakura would attend the proposed new school. Th© Premier remarked that the anc%a-

tors of the present generation of Maoris would not have been discouraged by a long journey. ■ ' Raumate said the Rev Mr Hammond was their religious chief. They were living on terms of friendship with the Public •Trustee, and they wished to have nothing to do with Te Whiti.

The speaker went on to urge the return by the Government of the block of land called Manawapou.

Jacob (another chief) saluted the Premier, who, he said, had been elevated to his present position because he had been recognised by both Europeans and Natives to be a good man. The great trouble of the local Natives was in relation to Te Whiti and Tohu, who were not working in accord with the Government, and yet they appeared to be as much thought of as law observing Natives. They wished to be shielded from Te Whiti and Tohu. Let Government stop the money paid to them as rent, and give it instead to the men of the Queen. They also wished lands outside the confiscated boundary returned to them.

The Rev T. G. Hammond said ho had been requested to explain the views of the Natives at Patea. The visit of the Premier was like that of the white crane, memorable was it. Perhaps he did not fully grasp the subleties of Native questions; therefore he might not appreciate the significance of the visit by him to Te Whiti and Tohu at Parihaka. . The Patea Natives were being impoverished by the. repeated visits of these chiefs' adherents, but Native etiquette obliged them to receive them. They were earnest in the cause of education, but the Government had done very little for them in this respect, as there was not a Native school in the whole district. They were anxious that moneys derived from their leases should be regularly paid, as promised by the Government. The way in which these , moneys were being disbursed at present was doing great injury to the Natives. They desired that these moneys should in future be paid over to them in their own settlements instead of their being obliged to visit European settlements to receive them, as these visits resulted'in a great deal of the money being spent in travelling expenses and drunkenness. This matter he (Mr Hammond) intended to. bring before f Parliament. W ithin the last month £3OOO had been paid to the Maoris at Hawera, and, if he had been rightly informed by Natives and Europeans, there had been scenes in connection with this money which would make the Premier’s heart bleed. Such money might just as well be paid to the Maoris in a publichouse as in the courthouse of a European settlement. If it were paid over in their own settlements, no such temptations would beset them. They were highly pleased . at what the Public Trustee was doing for them. The worx of the late Mr Ballance had been a very great success, and had resulted in great good to the West Coast Natives. They wished to assure the Premier of their perfect loyalty to the Government. They recognised that the past difficulties in connection with confiscation had been largely brought about by the action at Parihaka, and to a certain extent by their own action. They thought the Premier might do something to. ameliorate their social position. The great fault of successive Governments was that while they punished the Maoris for infringing. the laws,; they knew very little else about them. The Government knew the law-breaker among them, but not those of them who lived peaceably. They wished the Premier to come oftener amongst them, and to visit not merely one section of the Natives or set of chiefs, but all. This would break down all opposition yet remaining. MR SEDDON’S REPLY. The Premier expressed hearty good ■wishes to the Native chiefs, and was satisfied at the presence of the Rev T. G-. Hammond, who had so clearly explained the desires and views of the Maoris of the district. It was the desire of the Government that they should fully understand the position and requirements of the Natives an order to be able to help them. The troubles of the past between both races had arisen from mutual misunderstand-ino-s. A perfect understanding was best attained by meetings face to face.. Immediately he assumed the position of Native Minister he made up his mind to visit the Natives in every part of the Colony. He had always taken very great interest in the welfare of the Natives. At some personal discomfort, he visited last year the Native settlements from Pipiriki ' to Waima, and thence to Uriwera, being the first Native Minister who had visited so many of their settlements. The present visit to Natives of this coast was for the purpose of completing the object he had set before himself. THE VISIT TO TE WHITI AND TOHU. The chiefs who had spoken had taken exception to his proposed visit to Te Whiti and Tohu. What would they have said had he passed by Patea without visiting themselves ? Similarly would not Te Whiti and Tohu think him very discourteous if passing by their door at Parihaka he did not stop to see them? He received with great satisfaction the expressions of loyalty to the Government which had been used that morning, and he assured them the Government were . anxious to foster and strengthen this feeling. When he last visited Patea in 1878, dark, cloudsrested over the Natives of this coast. They were dissatisfied and angry, and disregarded the law, and as a consequence the strong arm of the law was felt. These troubles were allayed and angry feelings removed when his late chief, Mi Ballance, took office and applied himself to the initiation of a better state of things. THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE AND THE NATIVES. The passing of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act provided a fair means of compromise which had proved beneficent to both Natives and Europeans. Tile land belonged to the Natives for ever

and for all time they Would share in the profits produced from the soil by the European lessees. It was a growing revenue. For instance, iu 1891 the rents paid to the Maoris amounted to only <£7763, but this year they would produce for them <£15,407. These figures lie had obtained from the Public Trustee just before leaving Wellington. If the Maoris lived sober moral lives they would be able to live in comfort. Hardship and penury had come upon some of the Europeans, but the Natives of this coast were protected from these evils, if they were only true to themselves. He was pleased with the expressions of entire satisfaction with and respect for the Public Trustee. He was their trustee, and was carrying out the law on their behalf and for their good. The Public Trustee’s sole desire was to conform to the law, conserve the interests of the Natives, and at the same time to be perfectly just to the European tenants. He would convey to the Public Trustee the representations made to him about the evil consequences of paying over the rents in European settlements to the Natives. It had pained him to hoar this. It might entail expense and inconvenience to pay over the money at other places, but far better this should be done than that the evils sketched by the Rev T. G. Hammond should be allowed to continue longer. It would appear to him they copied the vices of the Europeans and let their virtues go by. If these vices tempted them too strongly in European settlements, and the payment of the money at their own places would shield them from this temptation,' by all means let the change take place. They set great store by the land, but of what use was it to them if instead of cultivating the soil they rode about the country visiting and impoverishing their friends. Their young men were expert with the billiard-cue, but place them between the shafts of a plough or give them an axe to fell the forest, and they knew little about such things, and cared less. It was the wish of the Government they should be thrifty and industrious, and that Maori and European, being alike the children of the same great Queen, should live on terms of the closest amity. A STRONG REASON FOR HIS VISITING PARIHAKA. That day the Natives had afforded the strongest possible reasons for his visiting Parihaka, so that he might show the Maoris there the error of their ways, explain to them the right course, and convey the feelings and wishes of the Patea Natives. The first Minister who visited Parihaka went with an armed force. Today he was going alone; but perhaps he would speak more plainly to the Natives there than did even the Minister who went with the armed force. He had been told that day he had declined to go' out of his way to see the Maori King. He recognised no king. The Queen alone reigned; but the young chief to whom they referred he had met and conversed with, and bad received his recognition of tho supremacy of the Queen. Subsequently _ this young Native chief invited him to attend the Native meeting, but the time was inopportune, and he therefore told the chief to come and see him at Wellington if he had any business; but he promised then to visit on a future occasion the West Coast Natives and Parihaka. This promise he was now carrying out. He would be the last man to visit Parihaka if he thought his doing so would increase a power detrimental to the Maori race. At the same time, it would show moral cowardice and fear if, in face of his promise, he passed by Parihaka without calling there. He felt confident good would result from his visit. The educational wants of the Natives would be attended to. Nothing pleased him more than to see Native and European children going to the same school and competing for the same prizes. If schools were required in Native districts, means would be taken to supply them, as far as possible. As for the land troubles, let the past be buried, and let them press forward to a brighter future. Any reasonable request made on their behalf by the Public Trustee would be submitted to Parliament, and would receive every consideration. So far as he himself was concerned, he hoped to have it said of him that he had done what was right and iust towards both races. The Native chiefs renewed their expressions of thanks and entire satisfaction. RECEPTION AT OPUNAKE. PUBLIC ADDRESS BY THE PREMIER. Oeunaice, May 15. The Premier' and Mrs Seddon lelt Patea at 11, and arrived at noon at Hawera, where they were received by the Mayor, Mr C. E. Major. They left again in the coach at half-past 1 1 for Opunake, accompanied by Mr J. Heslop (chairman of the Hawera County Council), and at 6.30 reached Opunake, which was found to be quite en fete, strings of bunting- being hung across the main street, and the Royal Standard floating from Middleton’s Hotel, where a large crowd had assembled to greet the Premier. On alighting, Mr Seddon was welcomed with three cheers, and briefly acknowledged the compliment. The public meeting began at 8 in the Town Hall, which was well filled. Mr George Rogers, chairman of the Opunake Town Board, presided, and opened the proceedings by presenting an address from the Town Board. It thanked the Premier for his courtesy in acceding to the request to deliver a political address, and after drawing attention to tho progress the district had made since the Native troubles ceased, it went on to say that the administration of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act was not giving that satisfaction which was anticipated when it passed. The ’ principal cause of dissatisfaction was that the Trustee acted solely in the interests of the Natives, regardless of consideration for the European lessees, with whom he stated he was in no way concerned.

THE PREMIER’S SPEECH. The Premier, after acknowledging the address, said that in yielding to the request to speak at Opunake, he had merely performed a public duty. He fully appreciated the useful work done by the settlers. Regarding the Public Trustee, the statement referred to in the address that he was only concerned with the Natives had been misunderstood. He was trustee for the Natives, and it was his duty to conserve their interests, carrying out his duties in accordance with the Act. If there was any fault to find it must lie not with the officer who administered the Act, but with the Act itself. THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. The Premier then proceeded to expound the policy of the Government, and said he wished to eschew personalities, but complained that a section of the press, in dealing with public men and public questions, did not proceed upon similar lines. Ministers were referred to as “ brigands,” “ marauders,” " the seven devils of socialism,” and he himself had been styled “ the Sequah of politics,” " with face of brass and lungs of leather.” He would endeavour to show that the Government had been entirely misrepresented by these newspapers; that their legislation had been in the interests of the masses of New Zealand, and had raised the Colony in the estimation of the whole world. After referring to the condition of affairs which existed when the Ballance Government came into power, Mr Seddon went on to point out how the prophecies made at that by the Opposition press had been completely falsified. Taxation had been readjusted on a fair basis, and relief was given to those best entitled to it. Settlement was being zealously pushed on, and never before had such facilities been given for the people to take up land. LAND SETTLEMENT. Figures were quoted to show that the system of land settlement pursued by the present Government had been a system of small farm settlement, whereas their predecessors had parted with land in much larger areas. During the three years ended March, 1894, the Government placed 7266 settlers on 4jr million acres, while in the preceding three years the Atkinson Government placed 6912 settlers on 81 million acres. Had the Land for Settlements Act been abused in its administration, as was confidently predicted? Certainly not. It was only where land was locked up in vast tracts in private hands, and where settlement was blocked in consequence, that the powers given by this Act were used, and used beneficially. Those who said that capital would be driven away were only drawing a red herring,across the scent. , When that cry was first raised capital was 2 per cent, higher than it was to-day. In face of all this dreadful revo’u tion the rates of interest had gone down., THE SO-CALLEP EXODUS. Dr Newman had been strangely misinformed when he recently declared that the Colony was losing population at the rafce of 500 a month. The fact was that the arrivals for the year ending March last were 24,449, and the departures 23,398, showing- a net gain of 1051. During the time the Government had been in office the population had increased by 59,442, while in, the three years between 1887 and 1890, 14,000 people left the shores of New Zealand. In addition to the increase of 59,000 in population during the present Government’s term of office, the indebtedness per head had decreased by no less than .£5. - TI-IE SURPLUS. The Opposition papers had predicted for this year a deficit ranging from a quarter to three-quarters of a million, while the actual result was a surplus of <£139,793, which, added to the balance of <£290,238 from last year, made a gross surplus of <£430,031. The sum of <£250,000 was paid over to the Public Works Fund, and the net surplus of <£lßo,ooo was left. It was quite true, as some critics pointed out, that <£117,000 credit from sinking fund debentures was contained in this surplus of <£lßo,ooo, but the Treasurer had stated last year that it i would be so. Tho Premier went on to show that Sir 11. Atkinson’s surpluses were far more largely made up of sinking fund credits. In fact, <£ll7 was the. lowest amount of those sinking fund credits, and the lowest amount during any year of their predecessors was <£203,000, and the highest <£280,000. From finance Mr Seddon passed on to deal with the Native land legislation of last session, and pointed out that since the Ballance Government took office, 1,000,000 acres of Native land had been acquired, as against a paltry 87,000 acres purchased by their predecessors. THE CIVIL SERVICE. As to the charge that the present Government had been filling the Civil Service with their friends, he declared that all appointments which the Government had made to the Civil Service had been made in accordance with law. The only mistake the Government had made in that direction was in appointing a ranger on the recommendation of Mr George Hutchison, who was not man enoug-h to stand up and defend that appointment when it was assailed. The present Government was the people’s Government and it was governing in the interest of the people. THE ADVANCE TO SETTLERS ACT. Under the Advance to Settlers Act, there were at this time agreements to lend over <£200,000, while between <£20,000 and .£30,000 had been actually distributed, and the rates of interest had been reduced by 2 per cent. The best securities in the Colony were being offered to the Lending Board. Hitherto private lending companies had been borrowing at Home at 31 per cent, and lending to settlers at 8 per cent. The private indebtedness of the Colony was 30 millions, and therefore the saving of interest represented by 2 percent. was over <£600,000 a year, while taking into account the collateral saving it might be said by this stroke of policy the

J Government liad saved the people a million a year. EATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE. Then the days of rating- on improved value were at an end. Next session the \ Government would reintroduce the Bating 1 ' on Unimproved Values Bill, and insist on giving this measure of relief to struggling settlers. POM AH AKA. The Premier proceeded to contrast the purchase of the Poinahaka estate with the Polliill Gully purchase. If there was one man in New Zealand who would be above any improper transaction, it'was his worthy colleague John McKenzie. Pomahakanow contained 21 settlers, and the rents derived from it gave a return of 44- per cent., while the money for its purchase had been obtained at 31 per cent., so that its acquisition had been completely justified by results. THE LOAN. Ha\ i ig defended the Fraser appointment the Prtmisr concluded by referring to the I successful floating of the loan. What now said the people who had been loudly asserting that the Government had destroyed the credit of the country. They now had the audacity to say that a mistake had been made, but it was a mistake on their own part. The credit of the Colony had been amply vindicated. Getting our money at 31 per cent, and being able to get ifc in future at 3 per cent., there was a bright future for New Zealand. The calumnies of the pessimists had been refuted, and the ungenerous criticI ism levelled at Mr Ward had been exposed. Let his traducers now apologise if they had any spailc of manly spirit. The policy of the Goverament was not one ! of pulling down ; it was one of levelling up * | New Zealand was in the van of proi gress, and the other colonies, America and I even the Mother Country were copying | from her. The credit for this he did not , take to himself; but attributed it to the I people of New Zealand. Mr Seddon’s speech occupied rather more than two hours. Mr Preach moved, and Mr Forsyth seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the Premier for his able address. The vote was passed with acclamation. VISIT TO PARIHAKA. ME SEDDON PUTS DOWN HIS FOOT. TE WIIITI TAKES OFF HIS COAT. Opunake, May 16. The ushered in with rain at Opunake, but by 10.30 it had abated, and the Premier and Mrs Seddon started on their way to Parihaka (16 miles distant) accompanied by Mr Heslop (chairman of the, Hawera Borough Council) and the specials of the New Zealand Times, Hawera Star and Opunalce Times. At noon Eaho.tu was reached, where the Premier was receivod with cheers by the Europeans and Natives assembled outside the hotel. Only a brief delay was made here. At 1 o'clock at'the junction of the main road with Parihaka road, the party came up to Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.8., and a number of ladies and gentlemen who had ridden or driven out from New Plymouth and intermediate places. At this point, also, Te Whetu, fiist cousin of Te Whiti, was met with. He was got up in along silk dust-coat and black belltopper, and had been sent to convoy the party in, while women were stationed on the various dwarf hills or mounds which stud the country about Parihaka, so as to send signals on to headquarters that the visitors were approaching. At 1.20 we came in view of the settlement, and simultaneouly the women in the outlying whares lifted up their voices in the long-cadenced song of welcome. A few yards further on we caught sight of the marae or open square of the village, and found it croAvded with men, women and children. They Avere all singing, waving handkerchiefs and strips of Avhite clothing. A stalwart Maori dressed in tweed, Avith a black bearskin busby on his head, such as the Wellington Guards sport on high days, and Avith a stall' in his hand, seemed to be acting as marshal. The drum and fife band of Maori youths perched on a mound at the side of the marae played their loudest as we drove up. The coach drove right up to Te Whiti’s pretty and picturesque villa, the verandah of which Avas crowded Avith European visitoi's. Te Whiti himself, neatly dressed in a black suit, came forward and recen r ed the Premier and Mrs Seddon in person, and conducted them into Avhat may be termed the reception hall, which was lined | Avith chairs, the floor covered Avith clean flax mats. Having conducted Mr and Mrs Seddon and Mr and Mrs E. M. Smith and their European friends to the upper part of the room, Te Whiti returned to the other end whore the Maoris had congregated, and took his seat amongst them. Both parties seemed to be Avaiting in expectation for the other to begin, Avhen the Premier arose and said that before they proceeded ho desired to remove a misunderstanding - that had arisen. lie felt disturbed in mind because a great injustice had been done to the Rev Mr Hammond, He had just heard that orders had been given not to admit him on account of something he had said the previous day at Patea. Now, the rev gentleman had merely on that occasion interpreted Avhat the Patea Natives wished to say to the Premier, and amongst other things had interpreted their opinion that it Avould bo undesirable for the Premier to proceed to Parihaka. Mr Hammond iwas a friend of the Native race, / and if he were to be kent out of the room because of Avhat he interpreted for I the Natives at Patea then he (the Pre- ] mier) Avould take that action as an affront to himself. After this explanation he hoped instructions Avould be given to admit him. His Avord was given and it must be respected. Te Whiti replied that those present did

not know anything about the matter, but it Avas in the newspaper. The Premier said he was not responsible for Avhat might have appeared in the newspaper. The explanation he had given was correct. After a few more remarks on the otho side, Te Whiti said that both the clergyman and the neAvspaper Avould be admitted, and immediately the Rev T. G. Hammond entered and took his seat. Charlie Waitara (son-in-law of Te •Whiti), addressing the Premier, said the newspaper referred to had been received before the Premier’s arrival, and the Natives accepted its statements as true. There Avere also several Natives avlio heard the remarks in question, and felt very much hurt at them. The Premier then produced a copy of the Taranaki Herald, and had the Eev Mr Hammond’s Avords interpreted to the Natives, explaining that Mr Hammond did not use the Avords for himself,, but merely interpreted the words of the other Natives. Waitara said it was rumours and reports that had caused the trouble. The Premier replied that the difficulty was now over and the cloud had passed by. Waitara explained that troubles had arisen in the past through imperfect interpretation of speeches of one side or another, and Te Whiti had specially desired that all translations should be most carefully made. Probably the misunderstanding had arisen from imperfect interpretation. The Premier explained that European speakers were sometimes obscure in meaning, and said more than Avas intended. Then it was the reporter Avho was blamed. So it might be in this case with'theinterpreter. Te Whiti: The foot has carried a bad message quickly. 1 was not aware this explanation would crop up, but doav the explanation and cause have been given, we Avill return to tho position in which Ave were. The difficulty in these days is to enquire into litigation and law". Therefore what my parents left to me is taken from me, and I cannot welcome strangers in the manner I would like. Having said this much I leave you to introduce the subject to be discussed. If you have anything to say, I am ready to hear it.

The Premier then said : Salutations to all without distinction who are here assembled! We are all friends here under the one Government, Native and European, all belonging to the one Mother. The one Queen reigns over both Natives and Europeans. There is one laAv for both. I am the servant of the Queen, and as such I conceived it my duty to see the whole of the Natives in New Zealand. These visits I was engaged last year in making. On landing at New Plymouth just before Christmas last, I was asked to come and see the Natives on this coast, but as I had then been long absent from home, and my first duty was to spend the festive season of the year Avith my wife and children, I said I would postpone my visit, and pay it before, next session of Parliament. When my word is given it is my bond. It is tho word of Government, and I am keeping that Avord by being present on this coast on tlie present occasion to seethe Natives living here. The Avelcome given to me on my entrance here to-day I do not take as given to me personally, but as a welcome to the servant of the Queen, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand. It is Avell knoAvn there is no race more hospitable than the Maoris; therefore, I am very much surprised to hear the words of Te Whiti just noiv, when he said differences that had arisen as regards land and the law had produced a difficulty in carrying out that hospitality for which his forefathers were noted. If there is litigation, and the laws are thought to be defective, the proper way to obtain redress, so that justice may be done to all, is to let me know the particulars of tho Avrong complained of. I speak for the present and past Parliaments of Noav Zealand Avhen I say that the Parliament of N ow Zealand has not wilfully Avronged either Native or European. Misunderstandings have arisen, I admit; but the Natives have been as much to blame as the Europeans. I know the law. Does Te Whiti knoAv the law ? He wishes this explained, and if he is in doub't in reference to any part of the law I am prepared to give him explanation of it. To Whiti : I understand from you that the Native race has not received any injustice? The Premier : I have said, Does he know the law ? I have said that Avilfully Parliament has not done any injustice to the Native race. Te Whiti : I am not clear about this. There lias been a fault on both sides. What will the remedy be? The Premier: That, time will disclose. It took seven days to make the Avorld. Te Whiti (deliberately taking off his coat and throwing it on the floor in front of him) : It will not take seven days to kill me. My coat (meaning his land) is torn (confiscated). I am left Avithout it, and therefore will not be able to reach the seventh day. I shall perish Avith cold before then. Where am I left by the law. The Premier : If you will have patience you will knoAv before I lea\ r e where you are. Mr Seddon then reminded Te Whiti that he had taken off his coat to emphasise his meaning by gesture, but Avith Europeans such an action meant preparation to fight. Te Whiti: That is the inside passion which creates strife. The Premier: At your time of life I consider it a mistake to get into a passion. It is only young and foolish men who get into a passion. Te Whiti -. That is right. No doubt if you were in the difficulty lam in, you would take off your coat. (Loud applause.) The Premier : When I Avas a young man any person Avho forced me to take off my coat generally remembered the occasion, but noAv that snow is getting on the mountain top Avith years I have learned wisdom ; I never take off ray coat now. I therefore look upon the episode which

has just occurred as simply indicating T© Wbiti’s desire to show that he feels very -warm on this subject. Te Whiti: Neither of us is young, therefore we will now put aside 'boyish remarks and actions. The Premier : We will speak now as men of age and experience. Te Whiti: I was asked if I knew the law. Some man has torn my coat; that man will reach the seventh day, but I will :not. I will perish with cold. The Premier: You said your trouble had been litigation and the law before I came. Explain! I want to know what particular law it is and what particular litigation you refer to. Te Whiti (taking off his coat and allowing Te Whetu to put it on) said : This man has taken my coat and put it on himself And will leave me to die.- with the cold. Now which is the just thing —that he should take my coat off, or that I should be Allowed to continue to wear it ? The Premier: It is a very bad fit now. If ymx will explain any grievance that exists, And speak to me and pay due respect to the position I hold, I will treat you courteously, and hear what you or any other Native has to say. My desire is to do that which is just to both races, and as it is my duty to lead Parliament it is for the Natives to take this opportunity of letting me know their wishes, so that there may be no mistake. At this stage a young Native rose up at the end of the room and questioned the accuracy of the interpretation which Mr Grey, interpreter, was giving, and alleged that this was not the first time he had misinterpreted. The Native who had made the complaint then took up the role of interpreter ; but his command of English was very limited. All that could he gathered from his remarks was that Te Whites coat was torn and the land confiscated. The Premier then rose and said that a proper interpreter could he procured. Te Whiti explained to the Premier that it was not that Mr Grey was incorrect, but that his sentences were too long. It was arranged, however, that he should go on Again. At Te Whiti’s invitation the whole party then filed into the dining-room, where dinner was served in a style and with a completeness that would not have discredited a first-class hotel. This was followed by a haka, danced in the marae by fifty stalwart young Maoris, painted and dressed for the occasion. At intervals a similar number of young women came forward and performed the poi dance. Shortly after 4* the korero was resumed in Te Whiti’s house. The Premier intimated that he was prepared now to hear anything that was to be said, after which he would make reply on behalf of the Government. The time was wearing away, and he had a journey before him. Taare Waitara explained that Te Whiti desired the Premier to stay for the night. The Premier said he had made an engagement to receive a deputation of Europeans at Rahotu that, night.,; Mrs Simeon then addressed the Natives, desiring them, if they had any burden, to say so, and keep nothing back. If Te Whiti’s coat was torn, as he had said, the Premier was the man to mend it. Te Whiti intimated to Mrs Simeon that he did not desire her to speak, and added if there was anything to be said he wished the Premier to say it. Addressing the Premier, he said he himself had nothing to say, and was therefore waiting to hear what the Premier might say. Mr Seddon wished to know if any other Native had anything to say. A Native replied that there were only two men present to speak—the Premier and Te Whiti. The Premier said that all he had to say was to. express pleasure at the reception imet with, and that he was very pleased to find they were people without grievances. As they had no complaints to make, he would order the horses to be put into the coach, and would take.his depart#*©. Te Whiti asked what complaint the Premier expected to find ? The Premier replied that Te Whiti himself had complained of law and litigation. Te Whiti said that the talk was at an end. It was withdrawn. The previous talk had arisen out of a misunderstanding.

Te Wbiti apologised for the non-comple-tion of the hakas owing to the weather. He urged the Premier to stay for the night, and the Premier again pointed out that his engagements would oblige him to go on. There were many people who would have dissuaded him from coming at all, but he had kept his promise. He thought good would result from the visit, because, although not much had been said, he had seen a good deal. Te Whiti: That is it. Another long silence followed, at last broken by Te Whiti, when the following cut-for-thrust dialogue took place: - Te Whiti: I f you said all, I have. I would like you to stay, but as you cannot, that is all right. I have nothing more to say. The Premier : It is very pleasing indeed. I will be able to return to Wellington and tell the world that in my presence Te Whiti is dumb. Te Whiti : Who is dumb. The Premier : You have nothing to say. Te Whiti : Who has nothing to say P The Premier: Let him answer the question. Te Whiti: The Premier has been to Parihaka, and has had nothing to say either. The talk is done. You have said you have nothing to say. The korero then came to an abrupt conclusion, but before bidding adieu to the -settlement, the Premier, in response to a message from Tohu, brought by the Rev Mr Hammond, went over to that chief’s fine two-story house and had some conversation with him. Tohu holds entirely aloof from Te Whiti, .although they both dwell in the same settlement, and they have their respective

adherents, Te Whitt's people wearing white feathers as their badge. The Premier left the settlement at 5 p.m. and returned to Rahotu, where he remains for the night, going on to Waitara to-morrow. Waitara, May 17. In my last message I was obliged through stress of time to deal very briefly and in general terms with the Premier’s visit to Tohu, Te Whiti’s rival, the chief and prophet at Parihaka. The outline then sketched may now be filled in with a few other particulars. Tohu dwells in five two - story villas, furnished after the approved European style, and provided with large dining-rooms and extensive cooking facilities, which are an absolute necessity in view of the large number of retainers who daily sup at his board. Tohu was found seated in the bowwindow of the upstairs portion of the residence, while in front of the house 30 or 40 of his young braves were engaged in dancing a haka as a kind of counterdemonstration to the Te Whitian display earlier in the afternoon. Mr and Mrs Seddon were introduced by the Rev T. G. Hammond, who acted as interpreter, and after greetings had been exchanged Tohu bluntly asked, “ Who invited you to visit Te Whiti ?” The Premier replied—The invitation came from Te Whiti. Now that I am here I would like to say this, that I regard the whole Native people as the same. There is only one people in this country. I am here as the head of the people. I would not have been doing my duty had I not come across here when I was told just now by the Rev Mr Hammond that you and your people wanted to see me. My time, however, is very limited, and if you have anything to say to me I am now prepared to hear it. Tohu: You are the chief man of the

Government, and I am the chief man of this people. The Premier said that for months past word came to him from Te Whiti, another chief, through Mr Smith and Mr Butterworth. Mr E. M. Smith explained that for the last thrae months Te Whiti’s people had been making enquiries daily when the Premier was coming to visit the settlement, and in fact such eagerness was displayed by them in the matter that he wired to the Premier urging him to make the visit in compliance with the Natives’ wish. Tohu said that frcm 1881 till now no one had come to see him nor had he invited anyone. Having nothing further to say himself, he awaited now what the Premier might have to say. The Premier replied he was merely there in response to a message brought him that Tchu and his people would like to see him. That was why he was now sitting by Tohu’s 'side. He was very pleased to see so many Natives gathered together enjoying themselves, and looking well and happy. Night was now coming on apace, the road before him was dangerous, and he must take his leave. Tohu, in bidding his visitors good-bye, said to the Premier, this land belongs to me; Te Wbiti belongs to me and the world belongs to me. Mrs Simeon, who was present and is a great authority on Maori customs and idiomatic expressions and sayings, states that Tohu in these words did not assert any such absurd proprietorship as his words literally turned into English might imply, but merely that he and Te Whiti, in common with the rest of humanity, were linked together in the ties of brother- 1 hood, and that the world was the common ! heritage of all. I As the visitors withdrew the Natives I

called for and gave hearty cheers for “ Our Minister the Premier.” People well informed on Maori affairs at Parihaka says that Tohu has declared that Te Whiti is striving to obtain for himself a seat in the Legislative Cotmcil, while on the other hand Te Whiti’s followers have been most anxiously and eagerly awaiting the Premier’s arrival, because some time ago the prophet predicted that the Premier would come and announce to them liberal offers of land from the Government. Te Whiti’s followers are therefore disappointed with the result of the meeting, which so completely falsifiies the alleged prediction. Night was closing in fast when we drove out of Parihaka. Rain, which had. been drizzling all the afternoon, was still falling, and the road was very heavy, unformed for a long distance, and quite unlighted, of course. The grateful shelter of Simeon’s Hotel at Rahotu was regained at a quarter to 7. After tea and up till about 11 o’clock the Premier was busily engaged with deputations of settlers. They complained that the Public Trustee insisted on having buildings and improvements insured in his own name instead of the lessees’ names, as they thought should be done. They also complained that they had not been granted a fair valuation for improvements on getting new leases — that, in fact, their improvements were undervalued, and the Natives got the benefit of them. The Premier said the matter was entirely in the hands of the Public Trusteee, but he would bring the settlers’ representations under the Trustee’s notice. This morning, with rain still falling, the Premier and party, including Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., set off in Young’s coach for New Plymouth, en route to Waitara. At Okato the Premier alighted to receive a deputation of settlers, who made various

j complaints about the Public Trustee’s 1 action in connection with leases ! under the West Coast Settlement ' Reserves Act, and also complained that, although Native lands were made subject I last session to half rates, the County Coun- , cil had not yet received a single penny from this source. ! The Premier promised to confer with the | Public Trustee who, he explained, was 1 bound strictly by law, and in regard to the I rates on Native land he would make enquiry. At 2 p.m. the party arrived at New Plymouth, where the Premierwas met by Count d’Abbans (the French Consul, from Wellington) and Mr Roy (Mayor of the town). Deputations from the Harbour Board and the Clifton County Council were in waiting, but as the Premier had to leave again at 3.30 p.m. by special train for Waitara, it was arranged that two members of the deputation should accompany him and carry out their business on the train, and this was accordingly done. The County Council complained that they had not yet received any revenue from half rates on unleased Native lands, and that, although they bad written to the Public Trustee on the matter, they had received no reply. The Premier promised that if the matter were committed to writing he would forward it to the Public Trustee with a view to action being taken. The deputation also represented the need for a grant for metalling the Mimi road through Native lands. The Premier said he would see if a vote could be asked from Parliament next ession for the purpose. The Harbour Board deputation was with j reference to obtaining a lease of the Go- . vernment reserve, in order to erect freez- j

ing works, and the Premier took time to consider the matter.

At Fitzroy, two miles out of New Plymouth, the school children were found drawn up along the side of the railway line, as the Premier had been asked and had consented to present a gold medal to a lad of 12 years named W. Mclndoe, who on the 14th March last bravely plunged in the Henui River and rescued a child from drowning. The medal had been subscribed for by the residents of the district. The train drew up, and the Premier, in a very kind and complimentary speech, presented the gold medal to young Mclndoe, who already wore on his breast’, a silver medal won at the Sunday school for good conduct. At the conclusion of the presentation, Mr J. Young, the headmaster, called for three cheers for Mr Seddon, saying that never before had there been a New Zealand Premier who was such a good Premier to the teachers and scholars.

At Waitara the Premier was received by the chairman of the Town Board, the chairman of the Hai'bour Board, and a crowd of people, who gave him three cheers, and one cheer for Mrs Seddon. The public men at once took possession of the Premier and conducted him over the harbour protective works, and were very thankful for the assistance Government had given them in allowing Mr Perham to report on the encroachments. PUBLIC ADDRESS AT WAITARA. New Plymouth, May 17. The Premier addressed a crowded meeting in the Town Hall at Waitara tonight. Mr George Pearce, chairman of the Town Board, who was in the chair, explained that the Premier was present in response to a public invitation conveyed through the Town Board. He also mentioned as a matter of public interest that

the Estates Company had just accepted the offer of the Freezing- Company for the freezing works. MR SEDDON’S SPEECH. The Premier opened his address by stating that the people of Waitara were now face to face with the best-abusod man in New Zealand. Hard words, however, broke no bones, and he thought it would i be admitted he was still fairly substantial. He then proceeded to indicate the benefits secured for the Colony by the liberal policy pursued during the last four or five years, contrasting the land and income tax with the property tax. He had met with few complaints from settlers in travelling round the coast, the chief complaint being that the Public Trustee was too favourable to the Natives, that the benefit of the valuations on improvements went to the Natives, and that the improvements were insured in the Trustee’s name, but the Public Trustee in all these matters was bound by law, and if he departed from the deed of trust would be personally responsible. About the insurance of improvements in the Trustee’s name there was no ground for complaint, seeing that if the improvements were destroyed the Trustee was bound to restore them. THE HARBOUR RATE. Perhaps it was somewhat bold of him to face the vexed question of the harbour rate in the district directly affected by it ; but he never shirked vexed questions. The bondholders had very little reason for complaint, seeing that of the original £15,000 of default .£II,OOO had now been paid off, leaving only .£3OOO yet to be paid. Yet the bondholders had said in effect to the Government, Unless you go to arbitration upon our claim that you should accept this responsibility, we will bear your loans; but the Government had declined

to submit to any blackmailing, and theimpotence of the threat was shown by thesuccessful floating of the recent 3 per cent. loan. The Government- had for sometime been moving in thef;;direction of lowering the harbour rate by opening uplands, by the construction of roads and bridges and the promoting of settlement.. (Applause.) THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. The Premier went on to show what the Government had already done in the. breaking down of land monopolies and theadvancement of bona fide settlement, andt to answer incidentally statements made by Dr Newman and Captain Russell. Theassistance rendered to settlers by thepassing of the Advances to Settlers Act was also dwelt upon, and the steps taken to develop the export of timber to the Old World then explained. Mr Seddon: also dealt with the scheme promulgated some time ago for finding work for the unemployed in undertaking to fell and take out timber for settlers, giving settlers the royalty and disposing of the timber. Itmight be that if the Government found these proposals unfavourably received and worked against, they would be compelled* to erect sawmills of their own, and to even go into the sawmilling business. Government had also taken action to encourage theshipment of horses Home. They bad effected, a beneficial charge in railway administration. They had assisted the pastoral industry by reducing railway freights on. sheep, and in its interest the AgentGeneral had been instructed to secure, if" possible, a reduction in steamer freights on frozen meat; and they had assisted thefarmers by lowering the charges on lime* and manures, as well as on seeds sent for cleaning. Road metal was carried', at the lowest rates for local bodies,, and cheap railway excursions had been organised for school children and their friends. After dealing with the questions of rating on Native land and rating on the unimproved values, quoting statistics to show, the increase of country products, and defending the guarantee to the Bank of New Zealand, the Premier went on to deal withthe successful floating of the loan, and claimed that the Government, in spite of exceptional difficulty of the times, having by careful administration and advancedlegislation done so much for the Colony, had fully vindicated its title to be trusted..

On the motion of Mr S. Nicholls,. seconded by Mr Herbert Mason, a vote of thanks to the Premier for his able addressand of confidence in his Government was. passed unanimously. The Premier was subsequently banqueted in the Bridge Hotel, and arrived’. at New Plymouth at midnight. He leaves to-morrow for Patea, and arrives in Wellington on Monday night. PUBLIC ADDRESS AT PATEA. * Patea, May 19. The Premier and party left sNew Plymouth by train at 8 on Saturday morning, and arrived at Hawera at noon, the Mayor (C. E. Major) being in waiting to receive the Premier. Deputations boarded the train at Stratford and Eltham. At the former place the necessity was urged of making reserves for - public purposes, and the Premier concurred* in the importance of making timely provision for future requirements, and promised to lay the subject before theMinister of Lands. The Eltham deputationists protested against the removal of r the station master, and the Premier promised to refer the matter to the Minister of Railways. After luncheon at O’ConnelFs Commercial: Hotel at Hawera, the journey was resumed i at 1, and Patea reached at 2, where the Mayor (J. A. Mac Kenna) welcomed the Premier, and accompanied him to thetownship. The Premier addressed a crowded public,meeting in the Harmonic Hall on Saturday-;, night, and settle is and their wives and: daughters had driven in from far and nearto be present. The Mayor of Patea (J. Av. Mac Kenna) presided.

THE PREMIER’S SPEECH. Mr Seddon began his speech by stating that he had been told in Patea that day; that he was the first Premier who had* spoken there. He was, at any rate, in the - position of the young lady who, in reply to - the question why she was not married, said' she had never been asked. It was the duty of public men to meet the people face to face, and explain their actions from the • platform; and the present Government had carefully kept this duty before themselves. He had ever striven to eschew personalities, but his opponents were notse scrupulous, and he stood before them-, as the best abused man in New Zealand. He had been termed “ the Sequah of politics,” and had also been described as a politician with “ a face of brass and lungs - of leather.” Well, Sir Harry Atkinson,. whom he had consistently opposed in,, politics, had even worse epithets applied to ■ him, and an honourable gentleman had. described him as a pimp and panderer of the Bank of New Zealand ; but Sir Harry survived the aspersion. Abuse was an old weapon of the Conservative Party, but it recoiled upon those who used it. The most regrettable thing was thattheir opposition to the present Government carried them to such lengths that they made wild and unpatriotic state--ments, whose only effect was to damage the credit of the Colony. THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. Having instituted a comparison between - the state of things prevailing in the Colony under the Atkinson regime, the growth of monopolies in land and so forth, and the improved condition of affairs brought about by the reforms of the present Government,, who had entered into office wit li the determination to put down monopolies, the Premier went on to show how much fairer and equitable was the land and income tax than the property tax, which it superseded. He then passed on to explain and justify the Land Act and the Land for Act, and to prove that the Government^

made no mistake in the acquisition of Pomahaka, Cheviot, and other estates. The anomalies of the present system of rating ■were pointed out, and illustrations given of the intended effect of the rating on Unimproved Values Bill, which the Government ■were determined to press through Parliament next session Credit was taken for the 59,442 increase of population during the rigime of,the present Government, and for the reduction of the colonial indebtedness in the same period by £5 per head. The relief secured to farmers and the Colony generally fey the Advances to Settlers Act was pointed out, and the saving of interest effected by it explained, while attention ryas drawn to the efforts of the Government to utilise the timber resources of the Colony, to reduce the s shipping freights to England and to stimulate the export of horses to London. Dealing with the co-operative scheme of public works, the Premier denied the assertions of the Opposition speakers and press that it had tended to pauperise the ■working men of the Colony,and had raised the price of labour to farmers. He had been told in Pa tea that day that men •could be got for 8s a week and their food. THE WEST COAST LEASES. After fully explaining the system Mr Seddon said he might as well before proceeding further deal with his present visit to , the Coast. He had met a very large number of deputations, and, of course, they had grievances to ventdate. First of all, with regard to the Public Trustee, there had been a question of improvements in changing from the old leases for the new ones. The lessees said the valuation made on behalf ■of the Public Trustee bad been too much in favour .of the Natives; on the other hand the Natives said land belonged to ■them that had been leased now for a long time, and yet, they had received no money. 'They forgot there had been survey charges and rates accumulating, which had first of all to be paid off before any could come to them. However, he had stated it would be his duty to call the attention of the Public Trustee to the complaints. The Legisla-

ture intended that the lessees who made improvements should own them, and he was sure the Public Trustee would be only too pleased to see the valuations propejly adjusted. Mistakes wore often made, but he was convinced the Public Trustee was desirous of showing a trust which was just to the Natives and fair to the lessees. Another vexed question was that of insuring improvements. Many lessees complained that the Trustee insisted on buildings being insured in his own name, and claimed that they should be insured in their name; but the Trustee had no option in this nmtter. It was law, and he must carry it out. Accidents might happen if this condition were not insisted on. For example, a man having his buildings heavily insured and otherwise involved might if insurance were effected in his own name, and the buildings burnt down, obtain payment of the insurance, and then decide that the time had arrived for taking his departure from that particular farm. Under such circumstances the Trustee would practically have no remedy, and the Natives would come down on him as their trustee, and hold him responsible for the-loss thus entailed upon them. If, therefore, it was understood clearly as between the Trustee and the lessees that any buildings destroyed were to be replaced, and that the lessee could claim to have this done, it must be seen he suffered no injury through his buildings being insured in the Trustee’s name. Still there was this doubt as to whether iu case of destruction the buildings would be replaced. Now he (Mr Seddon) said there must be no doubt, and if the law was defective in this respect then it was his duty as head of the Government and Leader of the House to remove that doubt. THE PARIHAKA VISIT. Coming now to the subject of his visit to Parihaka, he was surprised at the account of it sent throughout the Colony by the Press Association. That account did not convey to the people of the Colony what

had occurred. It was put in such a form as to be absolutely misleading, and whether this was attributable to the man who wrote it or to its being mangled in transmission he could not say.. Anyone reading it would think Te Whiti had taken off his coat to the Premier, and of course would not grasp what Te Whiti intended to convey. By taking off his coat he desired to impress on the Premier, whom he was addressing, that the Government of the Colony had stripped him and liis people of their lands. That was the Maori way of illustration. Then reference was made to his coat being torn. Whether or not Te Whiti intended this to mean that he had broken the law and been punished for it, the tearing of the coat being punishment, he (Mr Seddon) was at a loss to know ; but, at any rate, it would bear that interpretation from a Maori standpoint. It appeared to him that Te Whiti had taken umbrage at justice having been done to the loyal Natives at Patea. If he (Mr Seddon) had gone past Patea ignoring the loyal Natives there, he had no doubt his welcome at Parihaka would have been much warmer than it was ; but he had done what was right. He had seen them to be law-abiding, and he bad expressed to them great pleasure at their admitting the supreme xnana of the Queen. Had he passed them by, they might have been discouraged and disheartened, and would have had just cause of grievance. Therefore, at the risk of displeasing Te Whiti he did that which he would do over again even had he the knowledge he now possessed of its effect upon Te Whiti. ! THE FUTURE NATIVE POLICY. He was not blinking the fact that the Natives were a noble race; yet compare them with their forefathers, and the older settlers would corroborate his statement that they had degenerated. They had not far to seek for the cause of this degeneration. They had adopted our vices and eschewed our virtues. We ask them “ Why don’t you go on the land and cultivate it ?” and the Maoris reply “Why don’t you subdivide our lands and let eacn of us know where his portion is, so that we may do the same with it as the Europeans do with their land.” Here was the great drawback, more especially on this West Coast. The State must now as fast as . possible have the Native titles ascertained, have the Native lands subdivided, and permit exchanges so as to consolidate individual interests where they are scattered. It must expedite as far as it can these exchanges, so as to afford each Native an opportunity of getting upon a piece of land of his own. If the State did this, and destroyed, as it must and would, this communism that now existed amongst them, it would raise their social condition. They were sufficiently intelligent to know that which was for their benefit, and he felt sure this was the direction in which to take action for regeneration of the Native race. What did the settlers "tell him ? They assured him that the Natives were being impoverished by these monthly meetings at Parihaka, and that these meetings encouraged them to lead lazy and dissolute lives. Therefore, everything which tended to discourage that state of things mubt be done. The Natives admitted the evil themselves. They told him these constant visits and the strain thus imposed upon their hospitality impoverished them —that, in fact, to use a good round Anglo-Saxon phrase, they were eaten out of house and home. Hospitality in festive seasons was all right in its way, and greatly to be commended; but when it came to be abused, as it was in the case of the Natives, then there was just cause for complaint. The settlers had said to him if only this could be prevented, and the Natives brought to see how far they were injured in this way, and how beneficial it would be to get on their own lands, we and they could live side by side under one law, each vieing with the other, and both races being happy, contented and prosperous. There was a great future before the Maoris if this result could only be brought about. He believed himself this visit was one of the best things that could have happened. The attention of the Colony had now been forcibly called to the existing state of 1 affairs. Having been Native Minister i for over two years, he ought to have ' paid this visit, sooner. He now knew I where the fault lay and could go to | work to have the law so amended that [ this subdivision should take place, the j titles ascertained, and every opportunity | given to the Natives to get on the land j justthe same as was given to the Europeans. (Loud applause.) After noting carefully what he said at Parihaka, he came to the conclusion that the less notice taken of it the better, and he felt satisfied that if what had been stated that evening were Carried out and the settlers seconded the efforts of the Government to encourage the Natives to goon the land and cultivate it, and aided iu their separation, the object would be accomplished ; for the Maoris were a sympathetic people and easily influenced. At the same time there must be firmness. They must be told where they were wrong ; and if they knew • that when they became bard up through [ their own thriftlessness and through wanton dissipation of their means no sympathy or help need be expected, a better state of things would be brought about. The Premier proceeded to defend the Native land policy of the Government from the charge that it would retard settlement. UNFOUNDED CHARGES. From this subject he passed on to justify the appointment of Colonel Fraser as Sergeant-at-Arms. As for the charge of nepotism made against the Government, it was quite unfounded. An hon gentleman who some time ago, upon the platform at Patea, placed his hand upon his heart and declared that honesty was the best policy did not tell the people, because he would not do so, that a relative of his had been appointed to the Civil Service by the present Government. Surely it could not now be said in face of the appointment of j this gentleman’s relative to the service that the Government only acted upon the principle of “ spoils to the victors.” It

was very unkind of him, under the circumstances, to level these charges and then to say that only persons of the right colour were appointed. Mr Seddon went on to deal with the abuse which he said had been heaped upon Mr Ward and the Government in connection with Mr Ward’s visit Home. Now that all the false statements about the object of his visit and his business bad been exposed, and it had been shown that his mission had been really for the benefit of the Colony and had been entirely successful, it would only oe fair and manly of his traducers to withdraw their unworthy and false accusations. After referring to the necessity that called for the guarantee given to the Bank of New Zealand, the Premier concluded a speech that occupied 2i hours in delivering with a fervid peroration upon the hardships entailed upon the working classes at Home, and the importance of preventing in time the development of similar social anomalies in New Zealand, and resumed bis seat amidst prolonged applause. Mr Michael O’Sullivan at once mounted the platform and moved, “ That this meeting desires to convey a most hearty vote of thanks to the Premier for his able and comprehensive address this evening, and also its endorsement of the policy of the Government as enunciated by him tonight.” The motion was seconded by Mr Lomax, and carried almost unanimously, there being only two or three dissentient voices.