ALARMING ATTITUDE OF A MINISTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5420, 10 August 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

ALARMING ATTITUDE OF A MINISTER.

(From the Thames Evening Star ) The following is a translation of an advertisement, printed iu the Maori language, which appeared in the Evening Star oi the ISth of July AN* EXPLANATION. It has been seen by certain paragraphs which have appeared iu the newspapers, how very unacquainted with the true state of the case are those Europeans and Maoris who have mistaken the actions of Hoaui- Nahe. They all seem to think that their member is acting foolishly, and that his ideas are confused—as are evidently those of the newspaper writers, who do not understand the workings of a chieftain’s heart. Perhaps I had better explain, with a view of teaching all those who are in error respecting such feelings, namely, the workings of a chieftain’s heart, which are not generally understood by the masses of the people.

It would be very far from right that the Hon. Hoaui Nahe should conceal what he knew to bo correct with reference to the piece of land in question, To Aroha, in accordance with Maori custom?. It would also not be correct that the said honorable member should allow the fact of his having been admitted as a member of the Ministry to cause him to conceal the right of those of his people who have right on their aide, but who are being unjustly overcome. Perhaps those newspaper writers hold the mistaken idea that the persistency of the honorable member is caused by a desire that he himself, or his hapu of the Ngatimavu tribe, should be put in grant for Te Aroha, and that is probably the reason why they have sent those paragraphs to the newspaper (which only expose their ignorance) in which they state that the honorable member will be driven out of office, either by the Speaker or the Premier, or punished in such other way as the Parliament may think fit. It will be wrong if Sir George Grey’s Government listens to the counsels of the Advertiser newspaper, which is urging them on to condemn the work of Hoaui] Nahe, which work he is doing in accordance with what he has seen to be right, and in accordance, also, with sentiments contained iu spe-clies made by members of that Government itself. The present Government will not take away wrongfully the laud belonging to the Maori, but rather they will put straight the wrongful acta which the former Government committed in dealing with the Maoris. Perhaps the newspaper in question did not recollect the fact that one of the reasons which caused the the -Atkinson Ministry was, that they recklessly paid away money to Maoris who had no laud to give as an equivalent. By what I have said, that newspaper will perhaps understand that I maintain that the tribe of Hauraki as a body have no land at Te Aroha,- At any rate they did not go to TV Aroha, after taking the money, to point out to the Government officer their lauds which were to bo given as payment for the money which they had received. By this, also, those who condemned the honorable member, will, perhaps, now clearly understand that it was simply in consequence of the judgment given in favor of the name “ Marubnaiin” that the Government officer placed the tribes of Hauraki on the list-of owners of the laud at Te Aroha. If those tribes had been left to themselves to prove their titles they would not have taken the money. Let us now return to the words which have been uttered in condemnation of Hoaui Nahe. If it is reported correctly, that it is proposed by certain parties to compel him to resign his seat, both as member cf the Ministry and m representative of the people, on account of his having stood up in the Court as a witness on the Ngatitumatumu side, I strongly disapprove of that proposal which (it is stated! has been adopted by those people. They did not bear in mind that he was' carrying out the rhdit of pointing out boundaries, &c., which he had derived from the chiefs and elders of the people—from those dead and gone ; and in accordance with the motto handed, down to him, which say?, “Be strong to do what you think to be correct; condemn the wrong : uphold the right.” • That is the reason why he stood up at the meeting at Pukerahui. That is also the reason why he stood up in the Court to carry through what had been, entrusted to him by the elders and by the people—to carry through and to repress the wrong. Ido not refer to the decision given by the Court iu favor of the name of Marutuahu—that was fixed by the law. However, the law'was not made for the upright man, but rather for the wrongdoer ; so, also, neither will the upright man be brought into judgment, either by the law or the judge, but only the wrongdoers. This is the reason why I praise the conduct of both the Hon. Hoaui Nahe and Captain Taipari, because they did not take into consideration tho fact of their holding offices iu the Government as a reason for their concealing the rights of those who had right on their side, nor for their upholding as being correct the wrongful acts of the wrongdoers. No so especially do I praise Taipari, a? he has a claim to a share of the laud. The Hon. Hoani Nahe had no claim to a share in that land Te Aroha. The claim that he had to Te Aroha was simply in the judgment which gave the laud to “Marutuahu.”

His connection with Marutuahu was very pouch greater than that of those people who took money on account of Te Aroha by reason of the name “ Marutnnhu.” It is sufficient to point out that ho has openly stated to the Court that he has no claim to Te Aroha in accordance with the justice ami truth of Maori ownership,—and further, that neither had his ancestors of the Marutuahu line any claim to that laud.

The duty af the Native Laud Court is to search out Maori titles. It is true that the Court has ceased searching out the titles, in accordance with native custom, of the Waikato and other tribes, who formerly contended with fehe Haurakx people about this- land at Te Aroha. But, to my mind, it is only right that the Court should continue to search out diligently the Maori titles to ownership amongst the tribes of Hauraki.

Just let me ask a question. If the claim to To Aroha was a new one, and had not previously been before the Court, would all the tribes of Marutualm stand up and show their title to claim shaves in that land ? I think it would be a good thing to put that question to the witnesses in the Court without delay.

Now a word about the uneasiness in certain persons’ minds, of which I have heard. It is said that an application will be made to the Government to stop Hoani Nahe’s work iu Parliament. They are wrong in making such an application to the Government, as they ought rather to explain the reason of their anger to Hoani Nahe himself. The Government will not condemn him for the course of conduct he is pursuing. In fact, it is really their line of policy that he is carrying oat iu this c ise. Hoani Nahe is also the man who gave them the support which enabled them to stand as a Government, and for that reason it is not likely that they will lightly condemn him.

Who was it that set up Sir George Grey as head of the Government ? And who was it that set up Mr. Sheehan as Native Minister ? It was Hoaui Nahe. Which of the four Maori members lias taken a place in tho present Ministry ? - Again the answer is, Hoani Nahe. Perhaps it may be asked what is the reason for making the statement that Hoani Naho set up tho Government. I will explain. The efforts made by Messrs, Sheehan, Karaitiana, Wi Parata, Stafford, and Sir George Grey to cause the downfall of the late Government began very long ago. They did not succeed in ousting them, although repeated efforts were made. As the Maori proverb has it—-“ Kore ti! Kore ta ! Kore takotake !”

It was at the time when our friend Hoaui Naho went to tho Assembly that wo first beard the cry, "These are tho great leaders,” Then the feelings of both Europeans and Maoris changed, and they all began to praise Sir George Grey, Mr. Sheehan, and the Napier natives. X say again that it was Hoani Naho who set them up, and the newspapers, here and elsewhere, are at liberty to criticise my statements in contemptuous terms, if they like.

Perhaps there are some friends who will recollect the voting in the House—39 on one side and 39 on the other—tho result being that the present Government took office. If Hoani -Nahe hid been inclined to vacillate or to act dishonorably, he would either have remained outside tlm House or he would have gone over to the other side. Tf ho had acted iu eithbr of the ways mentioned, those persons who arc now being advised by the newspapers to turn round upon and eject tho hou, member from office would not have attained tho positions which they now occupy. He has sent a telegram to the Government to explain the position of affairs. Ho will not go to the Parliament, even although it should be opened, hut will wait for the answer of tho Government as to the wish of the general public of both races on the subject. It may be that be also wants them to express definitely their own ideas regarding his conduct, so that, lie may make up his mind how to act in the event of the Government being attacked by the Opposition during the coming session, . I should add, how.

i ever, that the latter ia simply a thought which has passe:! through my mind. I have written this to show how little I esteem those perspns who have given expression to such sentiments regarding the conduct of Hoani Nahe. I praise Hoani Nahe for acting independently, and for not seeking by cajolery to induce the tribes to vote again for him at a future election. He did not take heed of the anger of those who wished him to remain like a stupid owl to do the work of closing the mouths of the duck, the parrot, and the talkative tui; or who wished that he should gently coo like a dove in their midst, so that he should not stand up in the Court to reveal that which he knew to be right.

From Reihana Poto. Correct translation, H. X). JOHNSON, licensed native interpreter.