25

G.—B,

to survey Native lands, but the Maoris should conduct the surveys of their own lands ; because there are many Natives who know how to survey lands. Do not let the pakehas survey any more lands of the Maoris throughout this Island. Tare: Salutations to you, Paul. The whole of the people respect you. Salutations, Mr. Kemp. May God protect you ! The Ngatiwhatua were the people who first brought the Europeans to this part of the Island. Do not take up time by discussing our grievances in connection with those lands that were sold by our fathers who are dead. Let us discuss matters conducive to our future welfare. Let our present grievances be made know _i. I first came here in the time of Governor Hobson, and I was here during the time of his successors. I took the part of the Government in fighting against Hone Heke and Te Eangihaeata. I have a bullet in my body which I received during that fighting. Though the Treaty of AVaitangi was made, blood was shed afterwards. I was present at the signing of the Treaty of AVaitangi. AVrong was very nearly committed there. I was a nail in Governor Hobson's boot at that time until the time that Governor Grey came. The nails of Governor Hobson's boot stuck into my head. (The speaker quoted from the Treaty of AVaitangi.) That was the oath we took there. But the cutting-down of the flagstaff at Maiki, that was outside the treaty. AYe do not know that the setting-up of the flagstaff would come after the treaty. AVhen the Maoris saw the flagstaff they said, "This is a means of taking the whole of our land," and evil arose out of that. But when peace was made the Maoris assisted to re-establish the flagstaff' at Maiki, and called it " Unity;" and we submitted to the authority of the Queen from that time up to the present. I shall now speak of the wrongs committed by the pakeha which were pointed out yesterday. By the Treaty of AVaitangi the fisheries were secured to the Maoris, but they are now in possession of the Queen. Therefore, as we returned to the oath we had taken under the Treaty of Waitangi, I think those things which were taken from us should be restored under that treaty. The treaty said that no foreign nation would be allowed to destroy the Maoris, but she has injured them herself. It is right that the parent should punish the children who turn upon him ; but when those children are sorry for their disobedience and return to their parent, they should be pardoned and restored to his favour. The treaty also says that the Q.ueen is to protect the Maoris in the possession of their lands, but she is continually paying small deposits on these lands in order to secure them for herself. These are the grievances of which I complain, and they have emanated from that treaty. They are all caused by the pakeha. I wish these wrongs redressed. The fisheries in the sea have been taken from us by the Queen. If this was done under the treaty let these conditions be expunged from it; and if the pakehas have wrongfully taken these fisheries against the treaty let them be restored, so that our descendants may receive that which is theirs. It is for Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan, the new Government, to support these claims of the Natives. Te AVatene Tautari: I approve of the Chairman of this runanga and his friend, Mr. Kemp. I support the remarks made by Te Hemara about Grey and Sheehan. May their Government live long ! I approve of their words in one part of this speech —that is, that this work by the Parliament of Ngatiwhatua should be a permanent work. I hope these Parliaments will be held annually. Paul: It is now four o'clock, and we will therefore adjourn until to-morrow ; but before we go away we should sing a song in reply to this wire, and let all join in. The Natives then sang the following song : — Ka mate, ka mate, ka ora, ka ora, Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru, Nana nei i tiki mai, I whakawhiti tera, Hupane, kaupane, Whiti te ra. A ngeri was then given, and the Natives dispersed to their houses. Fifth Day.—3rd March, 1879. The Maori Conference reassembled at 11 a.m. this day, Paul Tuhaere presidiug. Hamiora opened the proceedings with prayers. Paul Tuhaere : We have to go over what was said the other day. Some of you complained about the money for the anchorage of vessels going to the Government, but I now tell you that there is no wrong in that. The money that is received from the vessels is paid for harbour lights, wharves, pilotage, aud other matters. It is to prevent vessels getting into danger and going ashore, and therefore you ought to drop your complaints about that matter, because the dues are for the good of all. What you are to bring up for discussion now is the grievances under which the Island suffers. It has been stated that the Treaty of AVaitangi was the cause of the trouble. I wish you to come to the point, and not bring up things that do not concern us. If you keep going from one thing to another, the discussion will never come to an end. AYe have a great deal yet to attend to. There is still the Treaty of AVaitangi to discuss, and afterwards this wire from Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan. Sir George Grey's telegram is to benefit you all, and enlighten you in matters concerning this Island. It is for you to take into consideration what Tawhiao is doing at the present time. Sir George Grey and Tawdiiao are now trying to arrange for a meeting at Te Kopua. It is for the good of all, and to unite the two races for ever. Although Tawhiao may have a plan of his own, we must let him know what we have decided. Now, let us confine our discussion to one subject at a time, and when one subject has been settled then wo can commence another, and so on each day until the end of the Parliament. Arama Karaka Haututu: AVhat you say is quite correct. Let me bring before the tribes tho grievances I have to speak about. It is quite true that the evils from which the Island suffers are not wholly the fault of the Government; but I will tell you what my heart is dark about—that is, the surveys and Crown grants. I have been thinking over all these matters; and I will tell you what I think about them. I will give you my opinion of the new Government—that is, Grey and Sheehan. They will see the darkness of my heart, and of all tho people. We havo seen the evil that the surveys and the Crown grants have brought upon us. I consider that it would be well to leave it to the 4.—Gh 8.