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Notes of a Meeting between the Hon. Mr. Ballance and Tauranga Natives, at Whareroa, Tauranga, on the 21st February, 1885. Pikea said : Welcome to Tauranga. Come to Tauranga to see the tribes of Tauranga; come to bring us good tidings. Come and stay with us a long time, so that we may hear your words. Hohepa Hihutaia .• Welcome to Tauranga, to see our tribe —the Ngaiterangi. My first request to you is that you will not return to-day, but that you will stay with us a long time. We wish you to stay with us to-day and to-morrow and the next day. This is the united wish of the Ngaiterangi tribe : that you will stay a long time with them. We want you to stay with us a longer time than other Ministers stayed when they came to see us. The hearts of the people are rejoiced at your coming to see them. We hope you will not weary of listening to the words which Ngaiterangi may wish to speak, nor of the subjects they wish to lay before you. Do not stay with us just a short while and make a flying visit; stay with us a long while. Do not be in a hurry to return. Come to see your canoe and the Ngaiterangi people. Ngaiterangi have always borne a good name, and we hope that you will continue to think well of them. I again reiterate the request of the people that you will spend a long time with them. If you only stay a few minutes, just like stepping from one'place to another, then your love for Ngaiterangi is not strong, but you will be making light of Ngaiterangi if you do not accede to their request. Hori Ngatai : Do not think that, because only a small number of Ngaiterangi have come here to welcome you, it is a mark of disrespect. There is an ancestral boast of ours that, although but one man of Ngaiterangi is seen, he is capable of doing great work. Welcome, friend, welcome. Come to bring us your words, and to tell us what you think best. The days of love between the Europeans and Maoris ceased when Sir Donald McLean died, down to the time when Mr. Bryce became Native Minister; and since then Ido not know that any love has been shown to the Maori people, or that they are living in a state of prosperity. Ido not believe in the statement which is so often made, that the Maoris and the Europeans are living together as one people. I do not believe there is any truth in it; but, now that you have come to see us, it may be that that saying will come true, and that you will show us the love that Sir Donald McLean used to show us. [A song of welcome was sung.] Welcome to see us, because there are many troubles resting upon us which Mr. Bryce never removed. We are not living in a state of prosperity. Tareha : Come to see all your tribes. Come and treat us the way we were treated by Sir Donald McLean; he brought us love, and treated us properly. Let your protection of the Maori people be like his was. Ido not think that Mr. Bryce should have been called a Native Minister; he was only a Minister for the Europeans—he did nothing for the Natives. If you treat us like Sir Donald McLean treated us, then you will indeed be a father to us. Salutations to you, if you have any kindly feeling for the Maoris in your heart. Let there be one law for both races, and show us the same love that is extended to the Europeans. Wiremu Parera : Come to see the Native people. You have been to see all the other tribes; it is but right that you should come and see us. Welcome to Tauranga. Tauranga is the land ; Ngaiterangi the name of the people. Ngaiterangi were a great tribe in times past : their fame spread through the land ; but trouble came upon them, and you see how few there are at present. In the days of Sir George Grey peace was made with this tribe, and it has never been broken since. That peace still remains in force, and it has spread over all the land. We greet you,. the new Native Minister; we greet you in memory of Sir Donald McLean. The love to the Natives ceased when Sir Donald McLean died, but now the Ngaiterangi think that perhaps you may renew it. This is not a new saying: that the Maoris and Europeans should be as one people ; that is an old word. I have always held to that word, and treasured it up in my heart. But lam not sure that such is the case. I think that we are not yet living together as one people, for when the Europeans are in the house we stand outside the door, and, instead of being invited to enter, we are told to go away. When the Europeans call to us and tell us to come into the house and sit down with us, and live with us under one roof, as it were, then I will know for the first time that we are really living as one people. Come and see us and remove the troubles that rest upon us. Ngaiterangi have many subjects to bring before you for your consideration. [Song.] Te Puru Temea: Welcome to Tauranga. Come and see the Ngaiterangi people and bring them your love. We are very pleased at your coming to see us. Other Ministers have passed through Tauranga without turning on one side to meet us. Come to visit us and the Europeans also, and to bring us the good tidings. Come to make us live together as one people. Of course we, the Maoris, think that the Maoris show greater affection to the Europeans than the Europeans to the Maoris. Bring us the right; come to teach, the Maori people what they should do. Do not treat us as we have been treated by other Ministers. Welcome to Ngaiterangi, for since the peace was made Ngaiterangi have been living in peace and goodwill towards the Europeans. Since that peace was made Ngaiterangi have never done anything wrong to the Europeans. When Sir George Grey was Governor he showed great love to the -Ngaiterangi people. When the present Governor was here we were very much pleased with what he said, when he came to see us at this place. Ngaiterangi supported what he said on that occasion. Te Ranahia Kahuhoti : Salutations to you, the Native Minister. Come to see the Native people ; come to greet them. It is only right that you should come to see them. Come to give them help and to lead them in the right path. I uphold what the chiefs have said with regard to the love for the Maori people having ceased when Sir Donald McLean died. It has never been extended to us since. When Mr. Bryce was Native Minister he gave us no sign that he had kindly feelings towards the Maori people, but your fame and your good name has come to us : we have heard that you treat the Maoris kindly ; the fame of your kindness and your love has preceded you. I will now mention the various matters which Ngaiterangi wish to bring tinder your consideration. [Eanahia then read a copy of the letter from the Native Office to Wi Katene on the subject of the Ngapuhi deputation to England, and went on to say :] The Natives think that the advice contained in this document is