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Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 31, 3 August 1878, Page 390

* We, the Native tribes, know it will not be very long before Her Majesty the Queen will confer on the Native Minister the above given distinction, that is—"Sir." as he is in every way worthy of that title above ail those who have received that honour.

We also humbly pray of you that the laws which you intend to introduce to the-Parliament of that liberal, new political institution in regard to the Native race which you intend to be made for all upon the Native franchise, that you cause such to be printed and circulated amongst us, the Maori tribes, that we, with you, may have au opportunity to give advice on such, that we may see the life, the death, and the good or evil of such laws as are proposed to be passed, but more especially the laws which aflect the Maori Representation Act of 1867, that the Act of 1867 be completely dons away with and repealed, and that you endeavour to have an Act passed in conformity with the Maori franchise, so that the Maori tribes may bo saved from evils to come, so that such Acts :nay be passed while our old leader, Sir G. Grey, is alive, and that the Parliament may be constituted under three divisions, viz. : Ist. Upper House ; let such be as it now is. 2nd. Representative Chamber, for English only ; let it be as now constituted. 3rd. Representative Chamber, for Maoris only. If such were the constitution of the Parliament of New Zealand we then should know that the Europeans and the Maoris were each concerned in devising and passing laws for all. And we, the Maori people, should also know that we were not to bear the heavy part of the burden laid on by the laws ; as we are becoming aware that the influx of Europeans into New Zealand and the great increase by births of the Europeans in New Zealand, if such a constitution of the Parliament is not made as above given, there is not any law by which the Maori can hold his place with the Europeans in the land. And if you two, that is, if the Parliament cannot constitute the three divisions in the Parliament as above given, it is in vain that the Maori people vote Maori members into the European House of Parliament. Also it will be useless for Natives to send petitions in days to come to the House of. Parliament as now constituted. We therefore beg of you two, and also of all the Maori members, that you do all in your power to move the Parliament to pass an. Act to constitute the Parliament as we have suggested above, so that justice may be obtained by the European and Maori alike, and that the Government of the two races may not be given into the hands of a minority of the people,' European and Maori, who are even asking you to make laws on conservative, exclusive, and injurious ideas for the people. Now, O old and learned men, we are aware that your extreme desire is to have laws passed for the good of all the people. European and Maori, for the wealthy and poor alike. And we have also heard all the evil words which have been uttered against Sir George Grey by the thoughtless, European and Maori, people, not only in the Parliament, but by the public. And we know that such evil words were caused by the determination of Sir G. Grey that he would make laws which should be known and understood by all, and which should be seen, known, and believed in by all the people, not only Europeans, but Maoris. tJence we now say in very truth we will support and. uphold you two, because in your love you have upheld the honor of the law, and that you have caused laws to be passed which will be for the good of future generations, more especially the Maori House of Representatives Act, 1878. And we are confident that not any other of the Maori or European men besides yourselves could have such clear thoughts on Ihis matter, nor can any men be able to dispute or contradict you on this point. We are not in any way cast down or dissatisfied because you have been so long before you visited us in our district, as we know tliat your time is fully occupied in the great matters which are being dealt with by you in Waikato, and that yon have gained over the Maori King. And that you are also occupied in settling matters between the Europeans and Maoris in the Hauraki district, and that you have no rest day or night. We are aware that great and momentous accs for the good of the colony have been accomplished by you in the last eight month?, and the works which you have done in these last eight moutl s have been greater than the late Government were able to accomplish in eight years. And we are also aware that there were reasons why you were not desirous to come here sooner than you have, into the Ngapuhi and Karawa districts. First, because there is not any evil in the Ngapuhi and Enrawa districts. Secondly, as you two arc aware that those two tribes are like the elder brother of the

x° n ' asall tlie Suropaan and Maori people are aware and Rarawa people are strong to uphold s > and also they uphold the Now in respect to your determination to pass o-ood sound 1878 lo P thatS Ia ° ri H ? use of Representatives Act, Ouep'n ' People of our loving protecting Queen, may become one, and that peace may prevail over all rtpnl » ? 37 f Se " We pray to the Almighty, who has the power to guard you two, that you may have Ion"-lives know? e man y days, and that He who is the spring of all ™ a y teach you, so that you may have wisdom to complete all your great work, so that you may be able to lay |? US a strong foundation for the liberties and rights ?, ~^ e Euro Pean and the Maori, which may be continued and f uture .generations of Europeans and Maoris, and by which they will be able to overcome internal and external foes for ever. From the sub-tribe of Ngapuhi, at Kaikohc, and also Te .Karawa.