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pointed out, the personal influence of the two greatest Maori experts I believe in the colony has been exerted to the utmost; and I should like honorable members to ask themselves whether or not the result has been satisfactory. Are Native affairs in a hopeful state now ? At that time, in my opinion, the Maoris were sick of a state of isolation. lam speaking of a part of the country pretty well understood. The Maoris in that part of the country were becoming sick of the state of isolation in which they had been for some time, and I believe it only required a little patience, a little firmness, and a little justice to secure the best results to both races. But when Aye went among the Maoris and shoAved so much anxiety to do something, and so much anxiety to induce them to do something, I think that we took a Avrong course. I think, when Aye petted them and fondled them, and made too much of them, wc engendered in their minds that suspicion which begat contempt. I think the Maoris were led to suppose that the will of the Native Minister was all-in-all; and justice on all occasions—at all events, on many occasions—Avas made to give place to expediency. I think, if Aye had shoAvn more firmness and justice, and less of what has been mistakenly called kindness, the result Avould have been better for the country —better for the country, I say, in the broadest sense—better for the Europeans and better for the Maori people. Sir, it will be expected, perhaps, that I should say something as to our relations with the Maoris in that part of the country, and that I should speak upon a subject which has been spoken of very frequently in this House— the negotiations with Bewi. Noav, Ido not think it desirable that I should do so —I am not able to say, with the honorable member for Parnell, that, if it had not been for that great meeting, we should have had a war raging in that country. Mr. Moss. —I did not say so ; I said that if it had not been for that meeting Aye should ha. re had to keep a large force in the Waikato. Mr. Bryce.—l am bound to accept the honorable gentleman's denial. I have not the right to refer to a previous debate, and he puts me out of Court on both points. I see no reason to suppose that that Native meeting obviated the necessity of keeping a very large force in the Waikato. I see no reason wkateA^er to suppose anything of that sort. However, Ido not wish to discuss that meeting, and Ido not AA rish to discuss the negotiations "with Bewi, because, as Aye all know, there is a strong possibility —at any rate, so say the Opposition—of the late Native Minister coming back to these benches in the course of a few hours or a feAv days; and if I can do no good I shall take care to do no harm in that matter; and therefore I Avill not go into that question, and say things from this bench Avhich might possibly do harm. With respect to affairs on the West Coast, of which I have perhaps a more intimate knowledge, I am afraid I must say A"cry much the same thing—-that I think it would be imprudent for me to discuss at any great length from this bench the course of treatment which I think ought to be adopted on that coast. I may say this : that Ido not feel inclined to blame the late Government very severely, or as severely as they have been blamed by some persons in this matter. I believe indeed that the time Avas Avhen the difficulties could have been met and cured; but I admit that there was much doubt surrounding the subject, and it has always been my habit in life to give gentlemen, when I differed from them, the benefit of any doubt which existed in my mind. I can add little to what Avas said the other day by the Premier. Por our own sake we ought to cause an inquiry to be made into whatever grievances the Maoris have on that coast. I myself—and I think the late Native Minister agrees with me in this— am of opinion that there are probably no grievances to speak of on what is knoAvn as the Waimate Plains proper. But there are, no doubt, grievances—l think they haA re been magnified somewhat —of one kind or another along that coast; and I think that, for our OAvn sake, for the sake of our oavu reputation abroad and in the colony, we ought to have those grievances inquired into. But, having said that, I wish to say clearly that I have no hope that that inquiry will touch the trouble which exists at present on that coast. That trouble, in my opinion, lies far deeper than that. The question of reserves has been strongly spoken of in this House, and it was thought that a proper adjustment of reserves would settle the difficulty. Ido not think so. I believe the trouble lies deeper. The trouble lies greatly in this: that almost the whole of the Maoris along that coast are