15

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and fulfilled the law. If we see a word that is good, let if bo borne in mind. lam very strong in Kaipara to carry out the law. Let all our opinions be openly expressed here in the presence of the Government, and if we see anything that will benefit us, let us hold on to that firmly. I have a pain here (pointing to his head) ; I feel it in AVaikato. But let us adhere to the law of the Queen. Let us follow the words of Solomon, and we shall be raised up. After I have uttered my words I shall still bear them in mind. Paul Tuhaere: With reference to what has been said about Ngatiwhatua being only small in this country, do not say anything more about that. The Ngatiwhatua were a powerful tribe in their own district, Kaipara, and in AVaitemata. They were the principal tribe in these two places. No other tribes had any mana in these districts. There is a meaning in the ngeri, though the pakehas think there is not. Waata Tipa (Ngatipaoa) : I congratulate the chiefs of this Parliament. I congratulate all these elders and young chiefs who are present. Friends, salutations to you. May God protect you and us ! My object in rising is to express my approval of the subjects that have been discussed in this house in which we are now assembled. I approve of this discussion about the Gospel, and the Treaties of AVaitangi and Kohimarama. When the former treaty was made I was very young. I knew nothing about Christianity or that treaty. AVhen the Conference was held at Kohimarama I heard of it; but when I grew up to manhood, I heard that these treaties had been broken. I heard it said that the Maoris had not adhered to tho Gospel and the Queen as their parents. Now, friends, there is no old chief here of the Ngatipaoa; the chiefs are all young men. But the old men gave advice to the young men, and we have not forgotten that advice. The advice that was given by our fathers at Kaipara is being followed by their descendants. That advice was given before the pakehas came to Auckland. Listen, all who are assembled here. My advice is, do not go under the wings of any other person than the Queen. When our forefathers departed they said, "Adhere to the Governor, who will be your father. Hold fast to the law; it will protect you. Hold fast to the Gospel as your parent." We began to follow in their advice then. It is not recently, during our time, that our parents were joined to the pakeha. It was when Christianity was first introduced. There are two things for vs —to adhere to God and the Queen. There has been no war in Kaipara or Hauraki. There has been no mismanagement in these districts, or misconduct. If there had been none in the other places there would have been no fighting. I think it is owing to such meetings as this that we are now dwelling in peace. I think if we adopt any other plan trouble may come upon us; but, if we follow the teachings ofthe Gospel, and adhere to the law, no trouble or misfortune can ever happen to us. Te Poihakene (Ngatipaoa) : lam a young man. Salutations to you, the chiefs who are present, and to the Chairman who convened this meeting. I shall explain why I adhere to the Queen. AVhen the pakehas first came to this Island I submitted to the Queen. I adhered to the Government up to the time that tho treaties were made. All the old chiefs submitted to the Queen when the Government was established in this Island, and they adhered to the Queen up to the time of the war in Waikato. The first who showed love to the pakehas were still living after the pakehas came to Auckland, but they departed before the AVaikato war. Te Awataia has gone, but his descendants are still living. I will repeat his parting words. These were his words to the chiefs he left behind: " AVhen I am gone, adhere to the law." These words are on his tombstone ; and I still adhere to them. He showed his love to the Queen long ago ; also his love for the Gospel. Now, it is through Sir Georgo Grey that the road is being made to Eaglan. I have held the shovel and tho wheelbarrow in my hand. I did not think of the troubles among the tribes. I followed the advice of Te Awataia, that I should adhere to the Queen. His great word was, "Adhere to the law." Therefore I have opened this road to show my love to the Queen. Tamati (Tauranga) : Listen, the meeting assembled in this house. Even if the words were uttered years ago by our parents, do not let us forget them. They will not be forgotten. AYe are still reminded of our parents by the law which is over us. The Gospel and the law of tho Queen were brought here by the missionaries. These treasures were brought here to relieve the sufferings of the people. AVaitangi was tho seed that was planted by the Queen ; but it did not grow. AVhy did it not grow ? Because of the dry weather. But the seed that was planted at Kohimarama grew. I took a part of that seed—l, Te Arawa. It was the Treaty of AVaitangi that brought me here to Auckland. My parents were welcomed here by Tawhiri. That was when I entered under the mana of the Queen. I had embraced the Gospel long before that. That is my canoe now. The Queen is over me. I approve of what has been said. I planted some of the seeds; but the seeds that some others planted were like the Scotch thistles. It is through the good administration of the Queen that we enjoy the benefits we now have. But there are some things that I disapprove of : the presence in the Court of persons who have no land, and who get land awarded to them, while the persons who have good claims, but do not know how to express themselves, lose their land. Maihi te Kapua: Salutations, the Chairman and the people who are now assembled. I have not much to say. I have only to express my approval of what Arama has said. Ido not want to wander from the subject. Not only am I loyal now, but I have been loyal since the Queen's sovereignty was established in the country. My advice is, Adhere to the Gospel, to Christianity, and respect the law. Kipa (Otao) : I shall first salute the Government. Salutations to the people who are assembled here. Salutations to the Chairman of this Parliament. Anything that has been done in the past may be revived now. I will speak about the advice given by the old people. Formerly the people were in the mud. They embraced Christianity and submitted to the Queen's laws, and they are now living. The words of our ancestors have not been forgotten. Paul Tuhaere: I will read you the words of Tamati AVaaka Ncne, to which reference has been made to-day. These were his words at Kohimarama : —" These are my words: I shall now have something to say. What has been said before was unimportant—merely a first attempt. AVo have not arrived at anything definite. For a fortnight past wo have been talking. To me the time has seemed two months. Our first speeches were correct. I stand partly in doubt of you, the chiefs of this Con«