DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3137, 2 June 1879, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

The deputation then proceeded to the County Engineer's Office, where Sir George Grey and the Hon. Colonel Wlntnlor2were.nl waiting.

Major Atkinson explained what had transpired at the meeting, and submitted the resolution agreed upon. The deputation wished to ascertain, as far as Ministers could tell them at the present tini-, what action the Government proposed to t.V:c. They uuder-

stood the position to be this : that the district was surroundc 1, or nearly so. by fanatical

natives, who own allegiance to Te Whiti and apparantly nobody else. They were, as far as the opinion of the deputation went, quite prepare I to execute any order which he might think right to issue. They knew for a fact that he had already approve I of the Government surveyors being removed from the Waimate Plains. They had been

informed that ihe ploughing going on at Oakura was by his authority — that was to say that he had directed and given back the whole of the confiscated la-id to them, his

followers, this land having been held for some years by settlers with Crown Grants. They also wore of opinion as far as they could judge, that the district was entirely unprepared for resistance by force, and though Tc Whiti had hitherto declared himself entirety in favour of peace, he insinuated that by some miraculous means we should be vanquished. Tho natives believed that by some action of To Whiti's

they would be put iv possession of properties held by settlers from the Crown. They (the deputation) were glad to learn from the Government that they were gaining strength and that the only thing for consideration was justice and prudence, and they, as peaceable citizens, had come to ask the Government to extend to them that protection of law which they considered, as settlers owing allegiance

to Her Majesty, they had a right to demand

from the Government. On their part they were unanimously prepared to offer Iho Government assistance in every way they should beaskel to do, and therefore they thought that the Government should give them some absolute assurance. Some of them had takeu upon themselves the responsibility of advising persons not to bo alarmed but to remain on their farms until the Government intimated that it was not safe to do so. He wanted the Government to give them an absolute assurance, and to put the district in such a state of strength that it would be able to defend itself.

Sir George Grey understood that what Major Atkinson stated represented the purport of the resolution. He could only say that the Government would do everything in its power to protect the whole of the outsettloments whenever they were in danger. He thought it desirable that some of the leading settlers should niiet him, not quite as a public deputation, but privately, so that they could discuss the exact position of the settlements, their strength, in what way the settlers were scattered about, and what are their means of protectioa. If a body of that kind was appointed to meet him he thought it would ba more denrable. He was deficient in a.great deal of: local knowledge, and if he had the information oE the kind indicated, it would be of great advantage to him.

Major Atkinson : I have already said that the settler 3 here will do anything you require.

Sir GEORGE Ghey. : We have really come down with the intention of getting that inEormation, so that the Government can judge how to act under the circumstances.

Major Atkinson : One and all of us look to the Government for au immediate assurance as to whether iv au emergency like the present, it is advisable that we should go on as we arc. We have purposely avoided all action waiting your arrival.

The Premier : Dou't you think it best to go on as you are until some decision is come to.'

Mr. Carrington, M.H.R., suggested that a deputation such as that spoken of by the Premier should procure a map of the district, aud wait upon him.

The Premier : It shoul I be a representative body to speak as to the position "Sir tile settlement.

Major Atkinson : I should not like myself to be one of a private deputation, but I am ready to give you any information as far as I am concerned.

The Premier : Perhaps some of the leading gentlemen from each district would wait upon us and give the desired information.

The Hon. Colonol Whitmore : Wo want some one to represent to us the condition oE the various districts, and supply us with local information. I apprehend there arc many other gentlemen cqualh/ cognisant with the circumstances of the various parts of the country ■who would be willing to give information.

Major Atkinson : No doubt, Sir George, cvciy settler will be willing to give you all the inform Uion iv his power. Tho Premier : Tho information is required so that I and. Colonel Whitmore may judge what is the best thing to do.

Major Atkinson : Then we are to report

as far as this deputation is concerned that the Government are not prepared al. present to give a decision ?

Colonel Whitmore : The Government arc not prepared to give a decision until they have received information of the most stringent character. Mr. Standish : After the conference with these gentlemen would you be prepared to let

the settlers know what course you intend to

pursue, as there is great anxiety among the people to know what aetio:i the Government intend to take. The Premier : I thiuk the Government

will make as explicit a declaration as it can

and it feels juitificd in. I cannot b.vy definitely that the Government will tell exactly what it will do when it has gat. the de>ire I information, or what its ultimate views will be. I suppose these will be carried out when

the Assembly meeis, which is to be shortly.

Everybody must feel that it is desirable that these alarms should not bo allowc I to spring up from time to time — In consequence of a few turbulent individuals. The question io what is to be done to prevent alarms of th : s kind springing up hereafter, and that will take time.

Mr. Sxandish: The settlers arc anxious to know what you will do as regards theirsafety. Mr. T. Wilson (Ureuui) iutimatod that the out settlers were iv a position of very great anxiety, and might at any moment be turned out of their homes which they had hell peaceably for years. They felt that at any moment their wives and families might be anurdored iv their beds. They were without protection or arms, and utterly at the mercy of the natives. He believed he represented the feeling of every out-settler iv the place when he said that. * (Applause.)

The Premier: That- is a point for consideration*. I would say with regard to what Major Atkinson has stated about not being one of the private deputation, that upon the very first appearance of alarm taking place in this district, Major Atkinson made a statement that nothing would ever induce him to use such a question in a political spirit, aud I am perfectly satisfied that he will not only give every information, but every

possible assistance, and advice lie can do so that I don't attribute anything lie said to any motive of the kind he alln led to. I came here with the belief that he would give every aid and assistance. Of coin-so in times like this everyone must unite for the common gool, but I think we should h.we a few hours to hear from the settlers in each district, what is the state of their particular district, what the number of families, how placed, what number of men capable of carrying arms, what the number who woul I take up arms, and ' what are the places of safety. I think those are matters which we should know.

Mr. Kelly, M.H.R. : I think, Sir George Grey, if yon wish to have local information would it not be as well to ask a few gentlemen to meet von ?

The Premier : There may be a great many people whom Colonel Whitmore and myself do not know. (To Colonel Whitmore) : 1 think we had better occupy ourselves today and Monday with the matter.

Colonel Whitmore slate 1 that as regarded the question of arms, the place was not so barren of arms as some gentlemen seemed to think. There were three or four hundred stands of Enfields, and two hundred arms of the Snider pattern here now, with ample ammunition. There was a force of volunteers at Waitfirn, which he had recommended the Governor to accept. Whenever the time did come, if they decided to arm the volunteer corps throughout the district, they had ample arms on the spot, and it was a matter of only an hour or two.

After some further discussion as to whether it would bo safe for the settlers t o remain on their lands, during which Sir George Grey said that he apprehended no danger at present, but the settlers should have the first information, the meeting was then transformed into a semi-private conference.