G.—B.

14

ancestors ; but our fathers were endowed with the knowledge of the pakehas. Now we also are seeking knowledge and salvation. AVhen Christianity was introduced, we sought for the safety of our souls, and all the tribes embraced it, and all submitted to the authority of the Queen. The words in Paul's address are correct. That is a record of the words of our forefathers. My parents died under the law ofthe Queen. Hori Tipa was loyal to the Queen, and worshipped God. Patene Poutata was the same; and we, their descendants, are living under the law. I have not forgotten those words since our fathers died. I still adhere to the Government and the Gospel. Matai (Orakei) : Let this be the subject for discussion. (Song.) Arama Karaka has explained all about the law and the Gospel, and there is no other subject to talk about. Pairama Ngutahi: I have heard what has been said to-day, and it is quite true. You have spoken of the Gospel and the treaties. I will support what the preceding speakers have said on this subject. These treaties were made by the whole Island, including ourselves. They are covenants. First the Gospel, then the treaties, and next the Government. Then the schools; so that the children may be educated, and married to European women — likewise European men married to Maori women when they grow up. Now listen. I shall go to the pakehas altogether. lam a pakeha. This is not the first time that Sir George Grey has been kind. He commenced many years ago, when he was Governor. lam greatly pleased that he is in the Government with Mr. Sheehan, because I know that the high and low people, amongst the Europeaus and Natives, will get justice now. It was Sir George Grey who gave us justice in the years gone by. It was he who cleared away tho fogs. In the olden days the throats of people were cut by our ancestors on account of land, and also on account of fisheries. 11l those days if au unauthorized person fished in my shark-fishing place his neck would have been cut. But now there is a different state of things, since the law of the Queen and the Gospel has been introduced. I also have fisheries. Let all these questions be discussed by us. Another subject that we should discuss is the lands that were sold for money. They were sold without beiug surveyed or passed through the Court. The question of leases should also be discussed. Another matter is that we have elected a member of Parliament, whose district extends to the North ; but what has he done? When AVilliam Katene was our member, he had roads made. But what has Hori Tawiti done? The reason we elected this last member was in order that roads should be made from the AVairoa to Mangonui. But he has been asleep. I thought he died when he was at AVellington in the Parliament. I think we ought to get Sir George Grey aud Mr. Sheehan to have roads made in that district. Paul Tuhaere : What lands do you refer to that were sold without being surveyed? Pairama: The lands I refer to are from AVaitemata to Kaipara and Hokianga. Paraone Ngaweke: The people do not appear to get up to talk, though they are here for that purpose. Listen, all my loving friends. Salutations to you, the representatives of the Government that were brought to this island. I have a word to say about the Treaty of Waitangi. Busby was the first Governor. The Ngapuhis assembled at Waitangi. Ngatiwhatua went there too. It was a meeting of Ngapuhi and Ngatiwhatua together. The Ngatirongo were there. At the Treaty of Waitangi their chief was Hurupainga. The chiefs were our people who took part in that treaty. That has been left as a treasure for both the Ngapuhi and the Ngatiwhatua. That was the first covenant that was made. That was the treasure that Ngatiwhatua brought to Kaipara. Two hundred of them brought it. At that time the Ngatiwhatua embraced Christianity. The glory of God had been let down upon us. The next covenant was Kawiti's, but that was amongst the Maoris themselves. Kawiti expressed his words to one of the Ngatiwhatua chiefs. We all came to Kaipara. Te Kawau and To Tinana came here at that time. Tins was the time the Governor came. He had been left by Ngapuhi. He was turned away, and came here. AVhen the Ngapuhis turned the Governor away he was invited to come here by Te Tinana and To Kawau, and those two old chiefs gave him land as the Governor. For the treasure which the Europeans brought here all the land from Auckland to the Manukau Heads was given to them. Afterwards the town was established. Tho Treaty of Kohimarama and the words spoken at that Conference are those which Paul has read. AYe now adhere to God and the Queen, and they can never be separated. Hori Tauroa: The words that were spoken at Kohimarama have been trodden under feet. I approve of what Paul has said in this Parliament. These matters should ba revived. It is on account of the advice given by tho old people that I have come here. These matters had disappeared under the ground, but now they are being disinterred. I approve of the words of our parents who invited the Europeans to come here as parents for all the Native people. All the people took part in inviting the pakehas to come here, and also in acknowledging the Queen as our sovereign aud parent. AYe are their children ;we are like the young birds, with the Queen's wings over us. But the words of the old people have been forgotten. The words of Potatau were, "Be kind to tho Europeans ; live in peace with them." He laid down the law of truth and love. AYe brought the Europeans here to occupy the land, and they are now with their wings spread over us. The chief's of Ngatiwhatua and those of Hauraki induced the Europeans to come here. The Queen is now the bird that has her wings spread over the people from ono coast to the other. I approve of the words of our fathers being brought up again at this meeting. Let us adhere to them, lest they disappear. It is through Paul that they have been brought to light now. All tho Governors are the Queen's representatives. Now that we have Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan, it will be for them to examine into the diseases of their children. Some of the young birds have had their legs burnt, and others have run splinters into their feet; some have scalds. The last Government did not do it. but it is for this Government to examine into their injuries, and prescribe remedies for them. I congratulate this Parliament that these words of our fathers have been revived. Te Tatana Kaiheke : (Song.) AVhat you say, Jacob, is right. Others have spoken about the Gospel and the Treaty of AVaitangi. Let us approve of Sir George Grey when we see what he has done for us. Let us ascertain who is our parent. Let us adhere to the words of our ancestors. Do not let us listen to the words of other people. The words of our fathers are still borne in mind. I have always adhered to them, and carried out their advice. I have always lived in unity with the Europeans,