IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING AT WHATIWHATIHOE. Speeches by Sydney Taiwhanga and McBeth. REWI MAKES STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Alexandra, Monday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1804, 29 January 1884, Page 2

IMPORTANT NATIVE MEETING AT WHATIWHATIHOE. Speeches by Sydney Taiwhanga and McBeth. REWI MAKES STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Alexandra, Monday.

Tawhiao's meeting on Friday last at Whatiwhatihoe caused little curiosity here, and but few Europeans attended. Hearing, however, that the well-known agitator, Hirini Taiwhanga, accompanied by, it was said, a European representative of the Society for the Protection of Aborigine ■., of Exeter Hall, was to be preheat, I .strolled there to see and hear what was going on. On arriving I found a large number of natives present, including Tawhiao, Rowi, Hauauru, Mai or Te Wheoio, M.H.R., Te Ngakau, and seveial other chiefs of note. I little thought, from the appearance of those piesent, that any important result would result from their meeting — festivity seemed the order of the day, The wet weather we have had tin* summer has been most favourable to the Maoris for securing large quantities of then favourite luxury, eels, and all were fairly revelling in them. They were to bo seen cooking in various ways all over the settlement. It was about three in the afternoon at least before all were satisfied. Tawhiao was the first speaker, and his speech was a short one. It was much as usual— to the effect that he still lem.uned <it the head of the Waikato canoe. Some of those who had hitherto assisted as the crew had left and caused trouble (referring to Rewi and Wahanui agreeing to the surveys, I presume). He, however, still icuiamccl on board. The stern, was at the mouth of the Waikato, and he was at the nose — Whatiwhatihoe. There he intended to remain ; he would go nowhere else. He called on Waikato to assemble and remain together with him there. Whatever trouble theie might be in other parts he would have nothing to do or bay in the matter. He had done no wrong, and .still would remain at peace in hib canoe. He had no more to say, only let them remain as they had now for years — at «ne as W.ukato, He did not say Maniapotos or Ngatihaua, as Waik.ito» Te Wheoi'o wuutod to know wlioro was W.ukato's place. They had no land-. ; the very land they were living on, Wh.itnvhatihoo, belonged to tho pakohivj. Te Ngakau and others also spoke in the same strain, with strong hints at Rewi as having bioken up the Waikato union by agiecing to the surveys, erection of the tiig. stations, etc. Kewi, who was evidently very ill at ease at the tenor of the speeches addiessed to him, suddenly sprang up with e\traoidinaiy animation for so old a man, and deulaied that he would not bo the cause of any trouble to his child (Tawhiao), but in fuLuie he would join him in his canoe. Hencefoith he was one with Tawhiao and Waikato. This declaration caused extreme surpiise and enthusiasm, old Kohura jumping up. dancing round, and finally clasping Ruwi and hugg<ng him with delight, amidst louuds of cheers. Tawhiao's meeting was practically concluded, for after that Rewi .spoke to Major Te Wheoio, going clo^e up to him, so that he could not be generally heard. The hrepressible Sydney Taiwhanga then rose and asked to be allowed to addiess the meeting, and introduce a gentleman who had accompanied him, who had taken gieat interest in the welfare of the natives. Te Tuhi then asked the meeting if they would like to hear Sydney and hit. pakeha, which the meeting agieed to. Sydney then made a long speech, most insinuatingly asseiting that it was his gieat love for " Our King " that had biought him there, who had been so greatly wronged by successive New Zealand Governments, and Mr Biyce in paiticular. He quoted fioin blue books that he had never given up his sovereignty and independence, and that he had been acknowledged by the English Government. He read a list of salaiies received by the Governoi, the Miuisteis, Judges, R.M.'s, and the £200 paid to Te Wheoro as a Maori representative, who could do nothing for them, as he had no power. All these salaries were paid by the Maoris, as it all came out of the lands, which were their own. Sydney mnde a long and wild statement to show how advantage had been taken of their lgnoi - ance, but he had found friends in England, in the Aborigines' Piotection Society, and a gentleman in the confidence of that society was present, willing and able to assist the natives to recover their tight-. Sydney then asked his pakeha fnenJ t</ address the meeting, which, after som> reluctance, real or pietended, ho ioso to do Sydney acted as intoipieter, for which duty he was fauly qualified. The Pakeha began : I was yo'»to>damasked by several persons who I w.i'- and what had brought me here. So I at once tell you that my name is McBoth, that 3 was <xt Panhaka and saw the illegal iinimei in which the natives weie treated thoie, and imprisoned by the order of Mr Biyce. I wrote home to England, feeling m> strongly on the subject, to a newspapm there called The Time-., commenting on the shameful tieatment the natives weie receiving at the bands of the Government. This letter diew the attention of the society foi the protection of the aborigines to the wrong being done to the natives. They wrote out to me asking me to furnish them \\ ith full particulars of what was being done there. Mr McBeth went on to say that he had received several communications fiom that body. He it was who wrote the letter sent home and signed by Major To Wheoro, Taiaroa and the other Maori membeis of Parliament, asking they might have the dva\\osT\.l of ihak wvu loud, a.ud v\ote&tvag agamst^the land courts. He read a communication dated September 23, 1883, from Mr F. A. Chester, secretary to the society, in which it advised that a deputation with the king should proceed to England and interview the authorities there. The society, or the writer, thought it advisable that he McBeth) should accompany the deputation, his interest and knowledge in natives, &c, would be invaluable. Mr McBeth proceeded to inform Tawhiao and the natives present that Mr Bryce was taking every advantage of them, that the letter sent to the Governor by Loid Derby re Tawhiao's going to England, and the protest of the Maori members had greatly frightened the Government, hence Bryce had obtained by lolly pops and sugar and flattery, the consent of a few natives to survey the lauds and erect trig, poles, but there were stones under the sugar, the soldiers were sent to Kawhia as a menace, he was shaking a stick over their heads but daied not use it, they would be quite justified by pulling out any survey poles or cutting down stations erected on their lands without their consent. Mr Bryce was taking advantage of their ignorance in every way. If railway works wei e started through their country they could destioy their formation. The speaker went on for some considerable time in this style, and for the representative of a peace society has managed, I am afraid, to sow the reeds of discord between the two races, that would delight only those of the O'Donovan Rossa type. The meeting did not conclude till evening, when it was adjourned till next morning. I was not present at the commencement, but I heard Sydney, on behalf of his pakeha friend, endeavouring to explain and greatly qualify some of McBeth 's extraordinary, if not treasonable advice to them. Sydney was strong in recommending that the Icing should at once proceed to England, Sydney, and McBeth, £600 per man to each of the deputation to be subscribed to pay their expenses (wouldn't they like it ?) This sum rather astonished the natives, and several pertinent enquiries were made to Sydney what he was going to do with the money ? Were they going for a big spree ? The talk generally was disc ivaive. Tawhiao vraj3 particularly aj^iqtijj for jfc fo> hi tyioyyp

that be was in no way responsible for any thing said by McBeth or Sydney. He did not recognise them in any way. , About 1 o'clock Tawhaio came out of the house and stopped the talk, saying it was time to conclude. All he had to say was that the ne\t meeting, in March, at Whatiwhatihoe, would be the mo-,t important of anyhitheito held— of very great importance indeed. He wanted natives from all parts to attend. Let them write to their friend*, to come to the meeting. If Europeans liked to come, also, they could do so. Rewi made a statement to Tawhiao that he had sent a telegram to Mr Bryce to withdraw .all lands and btnp the surveys of all lands he was interested in, from going through the Land Couit. I forgot torn -nfcion that Tawhiao, in hit his hist speech, siid, with referonce to Sydnpy Tanvh.anga Jnl hi& pakeh.i fiiend, " They aie nothing to ins. [f I go to England it is for mo to go when T please. What is T.uwhang.1 to me ?" Notwithstanding this, however, theie is no doubt a gieat deal of distimfc has boon caused in the native mmd by the->e two demagogues which it will take some time to remove. Some measures should be taken to curb such mischief- makers.