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to you that, if what has taken place to-day be not heeded, the voice may turn away in a different direction. Other things may be done in another place. Whatever happens, the work in that other place proceeds. Therefore, then, I say, give every attention and consideration to what has been said to-day lam not asking you to give a decided answer at once give the matter every possible consideration. You will have means to communicate with the Government if you so desire. You know where the post-office is, you know where to write to. The Government have offered every facility to you. They have come to meet you here to-day at your own place, and at your own home. You have the post-office, telegraph-office, and every means of communicating with them. If it should so happen that these important matters cannot be dealt with by letter, what is to hinder you from coming in person to Wellington and seeing the Government. Parliament meets in the month of June, and this is the time you should lay down the lines upon which you intend to act. Should you arrive at a definite conclusion, it will be for you to send someone to represent you, and to express your views to the Government. Now, the Government in power is able, capable, and has the strength to do a great deal of good if you come to an unanimous decision, and fall in with their views. Effect will be given to that decision. Now that we have met here all together, and come to this place, my Government's desire is that we will be able to do some good and effective work. That is why I have listened with pleasure to the Tuhoe. All I now say is, Give every consideration to what has beeen said. Gather together all these things that have been said, that birth may be given to some new thoughts that will result in advantage to the Native race and the colony That is all I have to say after what has fallen from my colleague the Premier I have just run over what the Premier had already referred to, and all I have to say in conclusion is, Give careful consideration to what has been said. Numia said, —I wish to express my pleasure to you both for having placed so clearly before us the proceedings as carried on by the Europeans. We have shown to you what the Maoris have done, acting according to their own lights, and you too have explained to us the extravagance of the resolutions come to, and have explained to us the laws. That is the reason why I show so forcibly to you what we have done, acting according to our own way , and in view of having these matters carried out, I thought I would put you in possession thereof. Looking at the Native Land Court work I found the first thing to be done was to have a survey made, and in consequence of this survey the owners of the land had no money Then a portion of the land would be taken by the Government to pay for the survey After that the Native Land Court would sit, and when it sat the Natives had not the money wherewith to carry on the hearing, and then the land passed away to those who had money What followed next was the issue of the Crown grant to the land. Then, when this was done, the owners began to sell, and those who parted with their land became landless , but they sold their land in carrying out their own selfish desire, and the fault was their own. Then, the taxes had to be paid on account of the land , and it is in consequence of all these things that Tuhoe desires that their land should not be sold. It would be the same if I were to explain in regard to the roads, gold-prospecting, and other matters. It is from the ignorant people that those evils come. Those possessing knowledge will not be favourable to this. I have heard what the Premier has said with regard to lightening the burdens falling upon us through the Court, and with regard to the surveys. I am greatly pleased indeed to hear these words. It is owing to no other reason that Tuhoe has taken up this negative action. It is only through the evils worked by the Native Land Court and the expense of the surveys. With regard to the outside tribes, they are also contending for these lands, and the contention is also going on with Tuhoe. Let me make clear what I said with regard to the committee, because the Tuhoe want the committee to investigate the difficulties that exist among them. I wish again to express my pleasure at what the Premier has said, making it so clear to us what the action of the Government is. Perhaps I should say now that we will take the remainder of the day to turn matters over in our minds, and the tribe will be represented at Wellington when Parliament assembles. Now, with respect to what the Premier has said about a school. That matter will be determined at once. W T e should just like an hour to give the matter consideration, and then we will reply to the Premier The Premier lam very pleased indeed to hear that you are going to come to a definite conclusion. Speaking of those who have grievances, he continued I wish to refer to those of your number for whom warrants for arrest have been issued, but I will discuss the matter with Mr Carroll while you are considering the question of a school. Probably we shall come to a decision in the interest of all concerned. I did not mention anything about prospecting for gold, but will say something to you definitely about that later, because we do not want to disturb that subject. We do not want to do anything in that respect. There is also another subject I intend to say something about. I have heard words here which, I am sure, will give great pleasure to His Excellency the Governor and Her Majesty the Queen. I had the assurance of the chiefs that they desired for the future to work in harmony with and obey Her Majesty's laws. Now, there is something which you generally see floating over every place where they have admitted the sovereignty of the Queen, and expressed their good wishes as good people and good children to her You oftimes see it floating over them, for it is their great protection. It is a flag, and is the emblem of freedom wherever it floats. If that flag floated here in this particular spot it would be to the world a sign that from this time forward we are to be as one people —Native and European alike—and all claiming the protection of the British flag. Now, I think I have said sufficient to indicate to you what my answer would be if Tuhoe would express to me here to-day a wish to have a school, and when it comes, then let the flag float there. I speak on behalf of the Government, and I think we shall be in a position to help you. I desire to know your wishes when you have consulted amongst yourselves. I will say nothing further now We will meet again in an hour's time, and then, I think, we shall be able to finish these small subjects, leaving the larger questions for consideration later on, when I shall probably receive your answer from those who are sent to Wellington to represent you. And I will tell you more than that. The want of means shall not