MAORI REPRESENTATION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 824, 9 May 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

MAORI REPRESENTATION.

FIRST ELECTION OF MAORI REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. We extract from, the Wanganui Times tho following report of the nomination of a Maori Representative from the " Western Maori Electoral District," which took place at Wanganui on the 17th ultimo. From eighty to a hundred natives wore present, many of whom seemed much amused by tho novelty of tho proceedings. Robert Parris, Esq., Returning Oificer for tho Western Maori Electoral District having read the writ, and explained tho mode of procedure, oalled upou tiie electors to uomiuato a fid aud proper person to represent them iv the Colouial Parliament. Captain Kemp, of the Native Contingent, came forward to pi-opose Mati Kingi, aud said 10 the assembled natives — I, ou behalf of the Wangauui, Ngatiapa, Rangitane, aud Muaupoko tribes,' beg to propose the chief, Mete Kingi Paetahi, as a representative for the people in the Parliament of Now Zealand, that ho may take his seat in that august assembly, within whose courts is the concentration of all law and wisdom. Listen, Oh tribes now present. Do not supposo that we are called upon to elect a person to represent us iv Parliament for tho purpose of aggrandisement ,• don't think that by this meaus you will acquire wealth in the shape, of blankets, horses, sheep, cows, shirt aud tobacco money, or any other kind of property ; aud do not think that by this means tho tribes will acquire increased influence aud power, aud thereby become very great and exaltod. No, the benefits conferred upon us will be oT a different kind — first by a proper use of the privilege conferred upon us, tfie preservation of the Maori race will be secured ; secondly, laws for the protection *of the persons and properties of the natives will be framed ; and, thirdly, equal and jusc rights will be secured to us by proper machinery respe^ing our lands, whereby the same and the wealth derivod therefrom will be permanently secured' to us. It is the law to whica we must look for protection, for it will ever cast its protecting shield over those that yield willingly obedience to its precepts. This is only a commencement of the good work which will attain to further development in the future. Peiumana (who seconded the motion) said — The pei'son upon whom our choice has fallen to represent us in the Parliament of New Zealand is Mete Kingi, who will aid in framing laws for the benefit of the native population. Now, for the first time, do we believe that the salvation of the native race will be secured by allowing them to have a representative iv Parliament. There being no other candidate proposed, Mefce Kiugi wai declared to be duly elected by the Returning Officer. Mete Kingi theu briefly returned thanks /for the confidence reposed in him by the tribes : said it was not an honor sought after by himself, but he yielded to the wishes of the people, who, he trusted, would never have occasion to regret the choice they had made by anything he might do or say in the future. Three cheers were then givon for the reprosentative, three for the Queen, three for the Returning Officer, and three ior Major Durie ; and after a few complimentary remarks by the Returning Officer and his deputy, Mr. R. Woon, the meeting dispersed.

The following is a translation of a letter sent to Mr. Parris as Returning Officer, in which the writer explains his reasons for being unable to attend the nomination, and suggests that it would be better for tho choioe of the member to be made by the Europeans rather than by the natives themselves : — " Tahui'angatira, Waiuku, " April 2, 1888. "To Mr. Parris, — Friend, salutations ; your letter has arrived, asking for two persons to go to the meeting (ac Wauganui). It is right. If I we i*o a person who could go well iv a ship, but as I cannot O parent, it is right that some persons should go and see the work of voting, viz., the meeting (for tho nomination). ' ' This is a word of mine to you, that although my body does not go my letter will go instoad, and you will speak out my word that the meetiug may hear, and that you and the electors may select. lam aware there are not many Waikato chiefs left on the Queen's side, they are mostly go no to the King's sido. We only — Ahepene Kaihau — and my companions are Te Raihi, Retamana Whakaete, Hori Tauroa, Te Hakariwhi, Tamehana Tunui, Hone te One, Kini Kukutai, W. te Wheoro, Honana Maioha, Hakopa Kotuku, Hetaraka Wetini, Mahikai. " These are the principal chiefs of Waikato who remained loyal. This is our word to you. We are willing that one of us of Waikato should be appointed to carry out the arrangements of the Assembly. We agree to this work, for tho members to be elected at once, that a clear understanding be quickly arrived at betweon the two races — the Europeans and Maoris, bocauso O friend Mr. Parris, we are searching for some guidance for us the Maoris. The Europeans understand the laws. The Maoris are an iguoraul people aud do not know how to carry out the requirements of tho law, which I wish to 3eo enforced, and that Maori customs should cease aud be subject to the law, which should guide rhe two races, that there bo one law only — to work out rightly all mattery and deliberately consider all good proposals, so that the thoughts of the two people may quietly settle down to work out good and peaceful arrangements. This is my- word to you O parent, Mr. Parris. I cannot go to see you and hear the news, but it is for you to write me a letter by the mail to Mr. McNop, R.M., (Waiuku), that I may know the result of the work of the meeting. " Thia is a questiou of mine to you. What is the reason that you leave it for the- Maoris to select, viz., to appoint the person ? Do yon not know that the Maoris are a jealous people ? O friend do you bear, the Ngapuhi do not like this word, but would rather that the Europeans should appoint a person, which would be bettar. " The Ngatiwhatun think the same, and are not satisfied ; but we the people of Waikato are willing to search for the root of that which is good. O friend, Mr. Partis, lam willing for you

to make public my word to tho meeting, for you and them to see and quietly turn over the pro,t posals. Finishod. " From your loving friend, " Aihepene Kaihau."