NATIVE CONFERENCE AT KOHIMARAMA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 208, 13 September 1860, Page 3

NATIVE CONFERENCE AT KOHIMARAMA.

On the 10th August Mr. McLean took the chair, and the .following resolutions were passed:— , 5 . Proposed by; Paikea. Ruia, seconded by Manihera, and carried, —• • “ That this Conference takes cognizance of the fact that the several Chiefs, membeis thereof, are pledged to each other to do nothing inconsistent with their declared recognition of the Queen’s sovereignty, and of the union of the two races;. also to discountenance all proceedings tending to a breach of the covenant here, solemnly entered into by. them.” Proposed, by Wiremu. Nero Te Awaitaia, seconded by : //amiora Matenga Tu, and

carried, — . “ That this Conference is of opinion that the project of setting up a Maori king in New Zealand is a cause of strife and division, and is fraught with danger to.the country.” : . . Proposed :by Whiiata Pikanui Tohi-teuvu-rangi, seconded by Perenara, and carried,— “ That this Conference having heard explained the circumstances which led to the war at Taranaki, is of opinion that the, Governor was, justified in. the course taken, by him; that, Wirimu Kingi provoked the quarrel; and that the proceedings of the latter are wholly indefensible.”

Proposed by JFiremu Taraeliana, seconded by Manihera Matangi, and carried,— “ That this Conference deprecates in the strongest manner the murders of unarmed Europeans committed by the Natives now fighting at Taranaki.” ; Proposed :by Tamihana te Rauparaha, seconded by Mete Kingi, and carried, — “ That this Conference desires to thank the Bishop of New Zealand for his kindness in allowing them the use of the buildings at Kobimarama.”

Proposed by Wiremu Patene Whitirangi, seconded .by Hamiora Matenga Tu, and car*

ried,— , i “ That this Conference desires to thank his f Excellency the Governor for his goodness to the Maori people; that is, for his constant ; kindness and love to them; and also, for . granting them. this great ; hoon the Runanga, whereby they are enabled. to express their views, and to propose measures for the settlement of the difficulties which arise among the ; native people.” . Proposed by Te Makarini Te Oka, seconded by Tamihana te Rauperaha, and carried, —• “ That this Conference desires to thank their friend, Mr. McLean, for, his great exertions on,their behalf, and for his kindness to , the natives of this island of New Zealand.”

On the following day the Governor attended in person, and delivered the following Address, —• . .

“ My Friends, Chiefs of New Zealand

“At this Conference, Chiefs from all parts ‘ of New Zealand ,have for 'the first time met together; You have received from me renewed assurances of her Majesty’s regard for your welfare, and you have heard the guarantees given in the treaty of Waitangi repeated on her Majesty’s behalfi % -jf‘.=Various matters-.. upon, which .you were imperfectly or incorrectly informed, have , been explained to you. ' * ' ‘‘•■Your attention has been directed to the necessity df some better provision for the administration of justice in Native districts,, and a code of .Rules '• late Chief.. Justice of; New Zealand) has been ' submitted to yoif. /. ' ; ' \ ! “You have been invited to consider the subject of. mixed *, persqi|3"-of tliq ;3klapti* race were 'cqn--1 cerned. ;’' S ‘ .',' '.. .* •’ ’. ’

“ Suggestions have been made to you for] defining Irib.il boundaries to land, and sociir-j .ing individual titles, with the view of remov-j iug many of the difficulties at present surround-! ing Native title. ’ 1 “ The English law of succession to-pro-perty, and the manner of making a will as al means of preventing future litigation, have been explained to you. ' . i “ You have been requested to . state your sentiments and wishes freely, and to make known your grievances, in order that, if possible, they might be redressed.

“ The circumstances!which have led to the present disturbances at Taranaki have, at your request/ been explained to you, and I think it right to repeat, that I was forced into this war by the aggressions of Wiremu Kingi much against my will; that I desire peace, but it must be peace based -ori the establishment of law and order, in the place of murder and outrage; peace-which will enable the Pakeha and the Maori to live together in quiet, and without fear and distrust of 1 each otheri

-“ Nothing' affecting the interests-of your race has been concealed from you, and I doubt not you are quite sincere in the sentiments of loyalty to her Majesty and friendship to the Europeans which you; have so generally expressed; ; “ I trust, therefore, that this Conference will prove to have been the means of restoring and strengthening confidence between the two races. Convinced of her Majesty’s desire that her subjects should live in peace, you will return to your houses reassured, and enabled to correct any false impressions which may still linger in the thoughts of your people. “ The education of your children, greater attention to the cultivation of the soil, the erection of better houses to live in, and the acquisition of .European property, will, I sincerely trust, claim your chief attention when you return to your people. “ 1 shall have great pleasure in reporting to our most gracious Sovereign, that her Maori subjects, in whose welfare she takes so deep an interest, have conducted their first Con-ference-in the most orderly and creditable manner, and that they have given ample proof that they are wanting in neither intelligence nor good feeling—information which will be very gratifying to her, and scarcely less so to her Pakeha subjects iu England, as well as in New Zealand.

“ A faithful record of the Conference will be preserved by the Government, and I am sure that hereafter your children will peruse it with much satisfaction, as a history of the first step towards that self-government, which I trust they will comprehend and enjoy. It now only remains for me to inform you that the Conference will be convened again next year, and the Assembly will assist me in devising measures for the establishment of order, and for the good of your race generally. “ In the interval between the present time and the next Conference, I trust you will carefully consider the subjects to -which your attention has been directed, in order that you may come prepared to express matured opinions, and to recommend measures for giving practical effect to your wishes. “ Farewell, my Friends! and may God protect you and guide you in the ways of wisdom anti the paths of peace.”