MR BALLANCE AND WE KING NATIVES. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 13 March 1886, Page 3

MR BALLANCE AND WE KING NATIVES. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday.

Thursday. The following U the report of the final interv iew betvv eon Hori Ropiha, the kinjr natives and the Native Minister on Fuday last. Mr Ballance first of all presented the Maori> with throe guns, and, said he handed over the Rim« as a token of tin* conclusion of peace and for the promotion of unity between the races. He had made arrangements by which all ie*prctable natives would get as much ammunition and arms as they required, but he did not think the time had yet come for the abolition of all restrictions in regard to the purchase by natives of ammunition. There were some bad Maoiis to whom it might be dangerous to give unrestricted licence to purchase what arms they pleu-ed, but generally there would be no difficulty with the natives gettiner what they wanted. The power of the bad people w.i>* becoming less every day and the be-,t men were coming to the front. Hori Ropih.i'good influence is evidence of this fact. He (Mr Ballance) cast no reflection upon tho Maori people generally, but there were one or two corners in the island where it would not be safe to give the natives unlimited liberty to purchase ammunition. But the light of day was beginning to shine in those places and he hoped that before another year things would be so improved that the Government might bo able to take off restrictions altogether, so that everyone could purchase. He was looking forwaid earnestly to the time when Tawluao would come in and assist the Ministry. The desire of tho Government was to co operate with him, to treat him aa a chief of great influence, and to give him power in our Parliament in assisting to make lawi for both races. When lie thought of introducing a bill to affect natives lands he made a new departuie. It used to be the practice to pass the laws and then explain them to the natives. His plan was to explain to the natives the bills the (Jovernment intended to intioduce and to take tho opinion of people upon them hffoie the bills were hi ought into Parliament. He had recently explained the provisions of the Native Land Bill to a meeting of native delegates at Hastings, and the people anived at a conclusion a> to the amendments that should be made in that bill. This was one of the measures he had adopted to bung about the unity of the two races-, and to give the native peuple a ■hare in the Government of the colony. When that bill was introduced next session, it would be the result of the dehbeiationi of the native people themselves, and thcrefouUhey would have had a voice in the matter of their own laws. What he said to the natives was to respect their chiefs and their leaders, and the Government would do the same. The time for holding aloof on the part of the native chiefs was gone by. No possible good could come of a policy of that kind. He therefore hoped that Tawluao and others would make up their minds to assist the Govern'uent in making laws for the benefit of both laces. It was his intention to have these words conveyed to Tawhiao. Mr Ballance concluded by evpres-sing .«. hope that the exchange t»f presents would be ac cepted as a token of lasting friendship. Hori Ropiha expiessed gratification at Mr Bdlhnce's words. Ho said it was unnecessary to make .special reference, to Tawhiao, beem-e ho repievented him. He (Ropiha), vv.is tliu pet Mm who wiii administering the atfaiis thioughout the island, and anything settled by him would be agreed to by Tawhiao. After To Hamutu had spoken in approval of what was done, the natives sang a song in celeluatiou of peace and unity being established. Mr Ballance expressed a hope that Tawhiao would be in Wellington during the session. The interview then closed.