MAORIS AT VARIANCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 24, 22 July 1911, Page 5

MAORIS AT VARIANCE

THE WAAHI KORERO. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Ndght. The native meeting at Waahi was resumed) to-day. Among those gathered in the unarae were Mahuta and Mr. Hemare Kaihau, M.P. Ahuriri (Malnita's "Prime Minister") commenced proceedings by urging upon all the necessity for united action. Any lack of unanimity would have a tendency to delay the settlement of the land, a question in which they were vitally interested. Hori Herewini (Wharua) endorsed the sentiments of Ahuriri. The opposition, however, would not be but again, expressed the opinion that the election of the "mana" committee ought to l>e reconsidered, as the present committee was not representative.

Mahuta dilated l on the necessitv for Unanimity, and declared that his actions were regula.tel solely by his desire to advance the interests of the race. He spoke of the opposition of the Waikato natives as something that grieved him sorely. They declared that they recognised three fin®® —a black one. which symbolised death; a red one, which was a sign of war; and the third of pure white, which denoted peace, concord and harmony. Some might stand' under either of the first two mentioned, hut lie preferred the white one, as only under its folds could the social, moral and material progress of the race be consummated.

Unless the opposition is placated liefore .to-morrow the result of the . series of meetings will he nil, a* it is presumed the Acting-Prime Minister mav refuse to do anything until the breach is healed. This, according to those who favor the general scheme, will be a terrible obstacle to the settlement of a vexed! ouestion which has agitated the native mind for a number of years.