THE PREMIERS TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2090, 15 March 1894, Page 17

THE PREMIER S TOUR.

AN INTERVIEW WITH REWI.

Wellington, March 7, The Hon. Mr Seddon addressed a large meeting of Maoris at Moawhanga, and impressed upon them that the Government would no longer allow millions of acres of land to remain in a state of nature while thousands of people were wanting land to settle upon and to cultivate. The same remarks applied to Europeans. It was the intention of the Government to ask .Parliament next session for power to take land from Europeans for settlement purposes ; that was, where land was being held in large areas and kept in a state of nature, with only a few sheep running upon it. This was the class of land that they required for settlement, and the Government would take it whether the owners liked it or not. Ample provision would be made for the Natives whose land it was proposed to take. Either reserves would be set apart for their support or the Government would issue debentures in payment for the land. On these debentures the Government would pay interest, and they would be non-transfer-able, so that the Natives could not be pauperised. The interest accruing from these debentures would be equal to an annuity for themselves and their children for all time. The Natives replied that they would set np a committeo to deal with their lands and negotiate with the Government on the tribe's bahalf. According to the correspondent of the Times, who is accompanying the Premier, there were a good many allusions to sly grog-selling at Moawhanga. Mr Seddon advised them to throw their whisky into the river, and told them the story of a miner who, when whisky ran out, took to painkiller and then to St. Jacobs's oil, and that finished him. At this thero was great laughter from the Maoris, and they all directed their gaze on one of their number, who sheepishly hung his head. It appeared the Premier had scored off a Native sly grog-seller without knowing it, and this Native's name was Jacob, and his compatriots took the allusion to the deadly properties of St. Jacobs Oil to apply to Jacob's whisky. The Maoris wanted to have a hotel, but the Premier told them they would have the Rev. Mr Isitt up after them, and went on to strongly dissuade them from having anything to do with a publichouse. March 10. The Premier arrived at Te Awamutu to-day, and was met by the Town Board. He received a deputation in reference to several local requirements. Mr Graham also waited upon the Premier in reference to the vesting of land upon which Rewi's house and store have been erected. It was represented to be Rewi's wish that the trust might be varied so that the land should go to his adopted son, there being no direct issue alive. The Premier said he would consider the matter and ascertain Rewi's wish on the subject. This morning, accompanied by the Hon. Mr Carroll, the Premier went to Kihikihi and saw Rewi. The greeting was of a most cordial character, j The poor old chief was very pleased at the visit of the chief rangatira of the pakehas. The Premier assured Rewi there was no reason for his fears as to the Europeans resenting the course he had taken in fighting for his people, as Britishers always admired and appreciated a brave man. Rewi was very pleased at this. In reference to the disposal of land after his death, he desired it should go to his adopted son, who was a Maniopoto, but not of direct lineage. The Premier said this would receive the favourable consideration of the Government, and bade the old chief good-bye. At the interview the Premier also referred to the pleasure Rewi must have felt at the visit of Sir George Grey. Rewi said, " Yes, he is my friend"; to which the Premier replied, "He is also my friend." At this the old chief held up his hand, and a smile overspread his countenance. Rewi is very weak, and cannot possibly last much longer. He is suffering from bronchial affection and general decay. Tawhiao sent a special messenger in to say he will meet the Premier on Monday morning either at Hamilton or Hukanui. March 12. The Premier, accompanied by the Hon. Mr Carroll, Mr Mueller (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Mr C. Wilkinson (interpreter), and secretaries left Hamilton at 8.30, and arrived at Hukanui at 10 a.m. He was met by a large number of Native women," who sang a song of welcome. This was taken up by the men. Preceded by a large number of Natives, the Premier was conducted to the place of meeting in the centre of the village. Mr Carroll spoke to the Natives and was well received. At the village the Premier was met by Tanatanga Kawa (known as the Native Premier) and Tutua Tenangaku and other people, who sang a uong of welcome. These were joined by the Ngatipawa chiefs Waata Pipa (king's representative), and Wi Potiki. The first question dealt with by the Natives was in connection with a block of land known as the Hopuhopu, near Taupiri. Tiinatang*. Kawa said the Maoris wished the land returned to .them. It was given for the purpose of education, and it was understood schools would be erected upon it, but this was not done The Minister asked whether it was tha wish of the Natives to have schools. Tnnatanga Kawa replied they did not want any in their district ; "fchey wanted the land b*ck which was given for this purpose. He also said that the dog tax was oppressive po far as the Maoris were concerned, and th*t the survey of lana* should cease, and the matter res.t with tho chiefs and hapus to say whether the laud should be surveyed or n - t. He also regu j eted that laud required for settlement by the Government should not affect the Maori land ; that if Maoris committed wrong against each other they be allowed to deal with it themselves by Native tribunals, and try the cases amongst themselves. If any offences were committed by Europeans against Maoris, or vice versa, then both races should take part in adjudicating on them — that is to say, the Natives should be represented on the bench. He atao wished Europeans should be stopped from giving credit to the Maoris. These were the heads of the matters he wished to bring to the notice of the Minister. The Premier said he had come a long distance, having roceived correspondence askinghim to oomo there and that they desired to meet him. Ho wa<i there in accordance with thoso expressed wishes. Ho bad listened so far to what they had to say and noted it down carefully, but there were much larg r questions involved and which he knew th*y were all there to disouss, and so far they had not touched upon them. He knew they had more to say to him, for if what they had told him up to the present was all they wauted to say, there was no use in their having asked him to come there. The Native Premier said with regard to the trouble that had taken place lately in the Waikato, they knew nothing about it. Tawhiao was also ignorant of its reason. He (the speaker) said why he was snre Tawhiao knew nothing about it was because he sent a letter to them (the Natives present) in which he said Hore Kori Kutu had told him there was trouble in connection with the Opuatia block?, j and the person who was causing it was Kerei '

Eaihau. Tawhiao replied to Horo Eori Eutu, saying: "Send that man back to his own people. You are the person to manage affairs with regard to Opuatia." That was all that took place between Tawhiao. An adjournment then took place. The Premier was interviewed at Cambridge by Mr Reynolds, president of the Farmers' Club, who asked that the Government take steps to secure suitable land on the Upper Waipa for small holdings, also near the Rotorua line. The Premier said the Government had lately acquired 12,000 acres in the King country, and one result of his journey had been the acquirement of 36,000 acres additional. These areas and land near Rotorua would soon be open for settlement. March 13. The Premier arrived this afterneon, and was met at the railway station by a number of gentlemen. At the meeting at Hamilton with the Natives he spoke straight to them, and gave them wholesome advice. Tawhiao sent an excuse for his absence, and said one of his relatives was seriously ill. The Premier seemed to regard Tawhiao's conduct as evasive, and said he would give him another opportunity by stopping at Ngaruawahia. The Premier stayed all night and left at noon to-day. Tawhiao reached Ngaruawahia half an hour after the Premier left. While at Mercer Mr Seddon received news that Tawhiao had arrived at Ngaruawahia for the purpose of meeting him, but he decided to come on to Auckland. He did not think it advisable to go back to Tawhiao, as it would give him too much importance. If he likes to follow on to Auckland well and good. Hori Kukuti, owner of the Opuatia block, met the Premier at Mercer, and came on with him to Auckland. The Premier hopes the court will deal very firmly with the offenders. He believes a firm policy will now settle for ever the trouble in regard to the Waikato Natives. The Premier thinks there may be a good deal in a name, and he believes it would be well to drop calling the south Waikato country the ♦' King country." Everlastingly calling it ' King country, he believes, helps to maintain Tawhiao's manna. If Tawhiao and his followers were treated as nonentities. His influence would soon become nil. At the Mercer railway station Kerei Kaikau (on bail) came forward to shake hands with the Premier, who put his hands behind his back and said he would not shake hands with wrong-doers. The Premier has been busy all the afternoon with deputations, and with Natives concerning the Opuatia dispute.