PUBLIC MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 70, 4 August 1868, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A publio meeting, convened by the Mayor, in reply to aninllucntlally signed requisition, was held In the Town Hull, ut 7..'10 last evening, in order " that the public might have iho opportunity of exprc.tsingnn opinion upon theprcsent very serious aspect of Native iiuairs." Tho Mayor presided ; and there were about 500 persons In the body of tho hall and on the platform. It was proposed by Mr W. Montgomery, seconded by Mr Wynn Williams, nnd unanimously agreed to, " That the present attitude of tho disaffected tribes In the North Island is calculated to rouse serious apprehensions that tho Colony iv about to bo involved in anothor Native War." It was proposed by Mr W. Reeves, and seconded by Mr George Gould, " That tho attempt lo hold possession of the confiscated lands, and lo protect the settlers thereou by means of nn armed force, is the prime cause of the present attitude of the disaffected tribes, anil that it Is expedient that the attempt bo abandoned," Mr Grigg proposed as an amendment; " That all the words after die words • tribes' bo omitted." Mr H, A. Pcrclval seconded the amendment pro forma. The amendment wus lost, and tho motion agreed to. Dr Turnbull moved, " That any cost incurred in maintaining peace with the Natives should be made a local charge, and should no longer be borne on tho general revenues of the colony, aud that tho management of tho native raco bo made a local responsibility," Mr R. J. S, Harman seconded the resolution. Mr E, J, Wakefield proposed us un amendment. "That the Government of Now Zealand should nt once ascertain, determine, and publicly dcclaro within what boundaries it can undertake to defend nil the settled districts from unprovoked aggression on the part of the Maori race. That it .should then proclaim all parts of the colouv, not included within tlioso boundaries, to bo "prohibited districts." That all communication whatsoever, except under special government authority, should be absolutely interdicted and prevented between the Maori inhabitants of tho prohibited districts nnd other people of nny raco or class, ho that it may become the interest and desire of the whole Maori people to plead for admission within tlie boundaries on condition of obeying British law, in order to enjoy tho advantage of peaceful intercourse with thcclvili**cd and well-disposed Inhabitants of the colony. That the cost of these arrangements should be defrayed by the whole colony, 80 as to uphold its integrity nnd honourable position in the world, nnd a feeling of justice between its various portions both now and tn future times." The amendment was seconded by Mr W.Kent, and lost. The original resolution was agreed to. Mr J. S. Williams moved, « That tho Chairman be requested to forward v copy of the foregoing resolutions to tlie Hon. the Colonial Secretary, and to tho representatives of tho province in tho General Assembly ; and that

the latter bo requested to givo their earnest consideration to these views." Mr Robert Rhodes seconded the resolution, wliieh was unanimously agreed to. A vote of thanks to _ the Chairman terminated tho proceedings. ■HMM*M*_H_a_Ma_--_»m___Bß».