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Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2945, 24 July 1878, Page 2

' ? HE following is a translation of an i advertisement, printed in the M aor language, which appeared in the Evening Star of the 18th of July :— An Explanation. , It haa been seen by certain' paragraphs which have appeared in the newspapers, how very unacquainted with the trup state of the case are~those Europeans and Maoris who have mistaken.the actions of Ho^ni Nahe. They ail 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. Hoani Nahe should conceal what he knew, to be correct with reference to the piece of land in question, TeAroha, in accordance with Maori customs. It would also nqt 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 hare right on their side, 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 Ngatimaru tribe, should be put in grant for Te Aroh'a, and that is probably the reason why they hare 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 Hoani Nahe, which work he is doing in accord* ance with what he has seen to be right, and in accordance, also, with sentiments ■contained in speeches made by members of that Government itself. The present Government will not take away .wrong* fully the land belonging to the Mjtffi, but rather they will put straight the wrb gful acts 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 downfall of the Atkinson Ministry was, that they recklessly paid away money to Maoris who had no land to give as an equivalent. By what I have said, thai! newspaper will perhaps understand that I maintain Lliat the tribes of Hauraki as a body have no land at Te Aroha. At any rate, they did not go ti Te Aroha, after taking the money, to point out to the Government officer their lands which were to be 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 " Marutuahu" that the Government officer placed the tribes of Hauraki on the Hat of owners of the land at To Aroha. If those tribes had been left to themselves to prove their titles they would not hare taken the money. Let us now return to the words which have been uttered in condemnation of Hoaui JNahe. If it is reported correctly, that it is proposed by certain .parties to compel him to resign his seat, both as member of the Ministry and as representative of the' people, on account of his having stood up in the Court as a witness

on the Ngatitumutumu 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 right 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 says "Be strong to do what you think to be correct; condemn the wrong; uphold the rjght." That is the reason why he stood up at the meeting at Pukerahui. That is also the reason why ho stood up in the Court to carry through what had been entrusted to him by the elders pud by the people—to carry through and to repress tne wrong. Ido not refer to the decision given by the Court in favor of the name of Marutuahu—that was fixed by the law. However, the law was not made for the up ; right 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. Hoani Nahe and Captain Taipari, because they did not take into consideration the fact of their holding offices in the Government as a reason for their concealing the rights of thosejyho had right on their side,,nor for thei* upholding as being correct the wrongful acts of the wrong-doers. Not so, especially, do I praise Taipari, as he has a claim to a share of the land. 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 land to ." Marutuahu."

His connection with Marutualm was rery much greater than that of those people who took money on account of Te Aroha by reason of the name " Maratuahu." It is sufficient to point out that he has openly stated to the Court that he has no claim to Te Aroha in accordance with the justice and truth of Maori ownership, and, further, that neither had his ancestors of the Marutuahu line any claim to that land. The duty of the Native Land 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 the Hauraki 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 Te Aroha was a new one, and had not previously been before the Court, would all the tribes of Marutuahu stand up and show their title to claim shares 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 person?' minds, of which I have heard. It is said that an application will be made to the Government to stop Hoani

Nahe's work in 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 tie is pursuing. In fact, it is really their line of policy that be is carrying out in this case. Hoani Nabe is also the man

who gave them the support which, enabled ~ them to stand as a Government, and for that reason it IS not likolyiiLftt-tkoy-will lightly conedmn him. Who was it that set up Sir George Grey as heed of the Government ? And who was it that set up Mr Sheehan as Native Minister ? It was Hoani Nahe. Which of the four Maori members has taken a placed, in the present Ministry ? Again the answer is, Hoani Nahe. Perhaps it may be asked what is the reason for making the statement that Hoani Nahe Bet up the 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 taketake!" ■

It was. at the time when our friend Hoani Nahe went to the Assembly that we first heard the cry, "These are the 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. I say again that it was Hoani Nahe 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—the result being that the present Government toot office. If Hoani Nahe had been inclined to vacillate, or to act dishonorably, lie would either have remained outside the House, or he would have gone over to the other side. If be bad acted in either of the ways mentioned, those persons, who are now being adrised by the newspapers to turn round upon and eject the honorable member from, office, would not hare. attained the positions which) they now occupy. He has sent a telegram to the Government to explain the position of affairs. Hc&rill not go to the Parliament, even although it should be opened, but will wait for the answer of the Government as to the wish of the general public of both races on the subject. It may be that "he also wants them to express definitely their own ideas regarding, his conduct, so that he 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, however, that the Intter is simply a thought which has passed through my mind. I have written this to show how little I esteem those persons 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 Eeihana Poto. Correct translation. H. D. Johnson, Licensed Native Interpreter.