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35

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Grey, will do for us. I shall then be able to say whether they are men who act rightly or wrongly. Let your prayers be strong, and we will see then how things will turn out. Arama Karaka : The subject of our troubles has been brought up over and over again. It is now before all the chief's assembled in this house. We have discussed all the troubles that commenced with the former Government and continued down to the time of the present Government. Let your grief's and sorrows be placed before this new Government. This is the day for it to be fully discussed. Now that these matters have been brought up to-day, do not let us forget them ; do not let us tread upon those things to-day. That is all that Te Kawau said. I will not remark upon that yet. Let it remain. If we see that the surveyors have been the cause of the evils, then they are the root of all the mischief that has come upon us From the survey the result is the Court, aud by the-Court is brought up those matters about the lighting of fires on the land. It was the Land Court that brought up that idea that the land was to be taken down to low-water mark. AYe have all agreed that we will look to the Government for protection. Let us ask Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan to inquire into our troubles. In reference to what was said about our lands I say that the lands that have been reserved to us should be retained. The Government is not to blame. AYe are as much in fault as the Government. I agree with what the chiefs said to-day, that we should reserve all the lands that have not been surveyed; and if this Parliament says that the surveys shall be stopped, let it be so; and if we agree to stop the Crown grants, it will be for us to carry it out. I agree to what has been said, that all surveys should bo stopped, aud that lands now in our possession should be retained. Let the lands that have been wrongfully taken by the Government be returned. If half of a person's land has been taken wrongfully, let it be returned. I think also that the Eoad Boards should be done away with ; also the County Councils: for we shall die through them. Those lands that have been surveyed and leased to pakehas, let them remain to the end of the term. That is correct. AVhen the time is expired we shall know what to do. Now, why do we not all come to a decision at once ; not let these tilings continue until evil comes to us in the end? I think that Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan will look into these matters for us, and return us what we ask for. This speech of Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan says that we are to be upright in our thoughts and actions. I cannot understand what they mean by this. AVo all know that it is our troubles that have brought us here now. This speech says that if our actions are good then we shall see the rising of the sun. AVhat I suppose this to mean is, that when this Parliament is over, then Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan will inquire into our giievances. I think they mean well to both races. I have gone over that part of the speech again and again, and I say that it refers to the troubles that have brought us to this house. It is also true what they say in that speech about the kindness of the Maoris. I know that the news of this has gone all over the world. It tells us, also, to be careful to carry out the things that are mentioned. Now, I say that refers to the statement that we should all unite aud be one. AYe will let them explain to us the meaning of it. There is no reason for us to delay matters. Let us all agree, and not tread upon what has been said to-day. Let us all unite iv condemning what is wrong, aud if any man has received money for land which does not belong to him, let that money be returned. Interest will be chargsd upon deposits until it will amount to a very large sum. Paul: To-morrow we will meet and pass resolutions upon what has been discussed to-day. The meeting is finished for this day. The Conference adjourned at 5 p.m. until 11 a.m. next day. Seventh Day.—sth March, 1879. The Maori Parliament at Orakei was opened at 11.30 this morning, Paul Tuhaere in the chair. Paul: The subjects that were brought up yesterday will bo put to the vote to-day, and it will be for you to give your decision. I will ask those who vote in favour of the resolutions to hold up their hands. 1. Ma tenei runanga c whakamana ko teruri me te Kooti Whenua me te Karauna karati i mate ai nga iwi Maori me mutu. —Carried unanimously. 2. Ma tenei runanga c whakamana c whakakore ranei ko nga whenua kahore ano he ruri, ho Kooti, he karati me tau te mana o nga iwi Maori ki enei.—Carried unanimously. 3. Ma tenei runanga c whakaae c whakahe ma te Kawanatanga ranei c hoko nga whenua ma to pakeha ranei.—The first part of tho question was put, but no hands were held up in its favour. The second part was agreed to unanimously. 4. Ma tenei runanga c whakaae c whakahe ranei kia oti nga whenua kua ruritia te whakawa me mutu te Kooti Whenua mutu rawa. —Carried. Paul: If auy of this meeting are desirous tbat the Court should continue, hold up your hands. Te Hemara, Tiopira, and four others here held up their hands. 5. Ma tenei runanga c whakaae c whakahe ranei ko nga Eori Poati takiwa me te Kaunihera me kore ki nga iwi Maori. To Wirihana Huhu was the only Native present who voted iv favour of Eoad Boards and Councils. All the others voted against them. 6. Ma tenei runanga c whakaae c whakahe ranei ko nga whenua reti me tau te mana Eori Poati ki reira.—The question was carried in the affirmative, only two hands being held up for the negative view of it. 7. Ma tenei runanga c whakamana ko nga whenua i herea c te Kawanatanga mo nga iwi Maori me tino here me wewete ranei.—The question was carried in the affirmative, only Tiopera and another voting iv favour of the sale of reserves. 8. Ma tenei runanga c whakamana kaua c tango tamana mokete nga iwi Maori mo nga whenua papa-tupu. —Carried unanimously. Paul: This is the end of the matters to which you have agreed, and which were discussed yesterday. It remains now to consider whether or not any of the chiefs of this Parliament; shall go to the meeting at Te Kopua. Sir George Grey is desirous that some of you should go up and express your opinions at that meeting. My opinion is, that we ought to go np and assist him in carrying out his views. Perhaps some of you present may not have had au opportunity yesterday of expressing your views. If so, lam ready to hear you now,