Mr. Henare Kaihau, M.H.R.: Inasmuch as we have gone through a reconciliation between the Government and Mahuta, a mutual welcome, and appertaining to that and the good feeling now existing in this Island, I introduce to you the chieftains of Waikato. This place is Tamaki. It is now called Auckland. The proverb appertaining to it is that this is ihu (prow) of the canoe page 82—that is, the nose of the canoe going inland: This is one people therefore they call it one people throughout. When the canoe goes on a journey a person stands to give directions: he is carefully selected for special reasons, so that the paddling of the canoe shall be regular and firm; and it there were divided authority confusion would arise—one would. paddle one way and another is another way. Therefore it was decided that this one person—Potatau—should be called king of this island, because he was the person who gave his consent to hand this Island over to Her Majesty the Queen. That is all I will say about this. These are the resolutions which the tribe have resolved upon: They have been well and carefully considered by the various hapus, tribes, and people who acknowledge the supremacy of Mahuta, for the guidance of the people. We think he would like to review the matters for discussion, so as to afford an opportunity to the various chiefs to give expression to their thoughts, good-will and appreciation of what was said by the Governor and the Premier.

The Premier: I will listen with pleasure to what the chiefs have to say.

Te Heuheu: The chiefs of Waikrato have had time to speak. I believe, Mr. Premier, that you are aware that I come alone as a stranger, and not as one of Mahuta's party. I wish here to express my gratification at being present at this meeting between His Excellency the Governor, the Premier, and Mahuta here to-day. I was pleased at what I heard His Excellency say, and the Premier's reply to what Mahuta has said. From what I have heard I think this is a day [unclear: on] which will begin a new era for the consideration of matters for the benefit of the two Islands and the people contained in them. We have heard the Governor, the premier, and Mahuta expressing their respect and reverence for Her Majesty the Queen. Although I stand here alone as the representative of my people, it is sufficient that I have heard the words spoken to-day, and it is sufficient for me to express on behalf of my people my supreme satisfaction of what I have heard, and also my supreme satisfaction at and my concurrence in what I have heard. This I will be able to convey to my people. I am now furnished with new considerations to convey to my people, inasmuch as I have heard what has taken place here to-day apart from what I heard in North. I was one of the prominent ones who objected to the petition which was presented to Parliament; therefore I shall listen with grave attention to what may be submitted to the Premier by Mahuta and his people. I shall then be able to say what I shall support. All that I wish to say now is that this is a very special day—a day on which Mahuta has met His Excellency, and we have heard all that has taken place.

Tihirahi: Notwithstanding the fact that His Excellency has departed, the Premier remains. I wish to follow His Excellency with a few words for himself, having heard what he has stated. Salutations to yon, O Governor! The Lord of all is protecting you and your household and your family. Sufficient. I wish to say my say my proverb of Waikato. Everything has been left for Mahuta to speak upon on behalf of Waikato. He is the representative of his ancestors, and stands here as their representative to-day. This is the house in which has reposed the affections of the Queen. We heard Mahuta to-day expressing to His Excellency and the Premier his words, [unclear: and] the words of us all, coming from one end of the Island to the other. All I have now to say is this: that I appreciate what has taken place. Let all survive, and let health and prosperity follow.

Te Aka Wharakura: Salutations! I have not much to say. The first thing I rejoice over is the good-will and the good words spoken by His Excellency and Mahuta to-day. It is a very great matter indeed to my mind. I am delighted at the great good which has been laid down and established between the two races. If this was the only meeting it would be sufficient to keep us going. My desire is that no one interfere with what has been done. As has happened when the first word of the Queen was spoken here for the good of both races, so let all support what has taken place to-day, and bring it to a successful issue. I wish you health and prosperity, Mr. Premier.

Mita Kaiaka: I stand up before you to express my gratification at what I have heard from His Excellency, although His Excellency has now departed. We have heard the new Governor express his good-will towards Mahuta and the people. Now I wish to address the representative of the Government of this colony, the Premier. Come to Tamaki. Welcome to Hauraki welcome to Taupo; welcome to Waikato. These are the places in which the principal tribes and people resided in this Island. Although the people of Hauraki are not here to-day, they are represented, and must therefore be mentioned as being present Te Heuheu is here to-day, they are senting Taupo. The reason I mention Tamakj in my salutations is that the person on this land is Tamaki Makaurau, Tamaki of the hundred spouses. I will endeavour to explain. You may have your wife to-day, and to-morrow she may marry some one else, and the next day some one else again. That is the reason this place is Tamaki Makarau (the woman of many husbands). This piece of earth, this Tamaki, is the same as that woman who married many times. She is now the Europeans'. I said, Welcome to the Hauraki; the meaning of that word being "with many avenue" That word still applies to the Ngatimaru Kowan That place is now full of holes for the purpose of getting gold. Those people have become just the same as the people who have married Europeans. I say with reference to Taupo, its meaning is page break

[gap — reason: illegible]
The Meeting between His Excellency the Governor, the Premier, and Mahuta with other Chiefs of the Walkato Tribe, at Government House, Auckland, 18th March, 1899.
Captain Wellesley, A.D.C.
Hon, J. Carroll, Member of Executive Council Representing the Native Race.
W. Crow, Private Secretary to the Premier.
Captain Alexander, Private Secretary to His Excellency the Governor.
Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier and Native Minister. His Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Ranfurly). Colonel Penton, R.A., Commander of the N.Z. Forces.
Te tutakitanga o te Kawana raua ko te Pirimia, ki a Mahuta ratou ko etahi o nga Rangatira o te Iwi o Waikato, ki te Whare o te Kawana, Akarana. 18 o Maehe, 1899

page 83"dejected. Deserted, and broken-hearted husbands, who have divided it into many small portions." It means that it has gone to the persons who married Tamaki. These are three sending salutation to the Premier. The fourth is a Waikato, the representative of Waikato—" Waikato of the hundred taniwhas (alligators). Their offspring is Waikatohoro Pounamu (insatiable). The generation of these is Waikato Maumau Whenua, Maumau Tangata. This is what I meant in my salutations: Waikato that wastes lands; Waikato that wastes men. Out of these people the remaant left is Mahuta. Although he is alone here, he is the true descendant and representative of all these great People. You have now, Mr. Premier, come together with Mahuta. This is a very great day in our history. I shall enlarge upon the goodness and the benefits that have taken place to-day. I shall enlarge upon the great words spoken to-day. I shall give close attention to what takes place immediately following the words spoken to-day Nevertheless, Mr. Premier, what I may put before you may appear objectionable; notwithstanding this, listen and consider it. Give careful consideration to what Mahuta may lay before you, and in saying this I salute you most respectfully as head of the Government of this colony, beneath the sovereign rule of our joint sovereign, Her Majesty the Queen. Let the same great God protect and shield us all.

Mr. Henare Kaihau: Now that the chiefs have given expression to their salutations to you, and knowing that you are full of engagements, and that your time is, therefore, most valuable, I desire to be as brief as possible. I will therefore, put everything I have to say in as few words as possible. As I stated before, resolutions have been come to after grave consideration by those people who represent the western division of the Island. I stand here as their representative. One great thing is the Bill that was read in House during a former session of Parliament. In that Bill was contained the sum and substance of the great matters to be granted to them, and to establish the undefined reunion between the two races. It must he understood that nothing was proposed in that Bill with a view of giving them any separate rights repugnant to the laws of Her Majesty the Queen. The great desire of the Bill is to give the Native race the power of administering their own lands. The Native race consider it right that they should have restored to them certain portions of the revenues which come from the territorial revenue of the colony. The Bill sets forth what they really want. I am aware that there are obstacles in the way of the Government dealing with this immediately. The Government could, however, appoint a time for meeting Mahuta and his advisers with a view of arriving at a decision with regard to the Bill. We desire to arrive at some compromise, so that the Government and the people of New Zealand might see their way to consider certain points in the Natives' favour. Our object is to arrive at some mutual understanding which would be fair to all concerned. I now leave this matter. There is another matter of importance which I desire to place before the Premier. The Premier gives utterance to certain words—that the Government were desirous of returning certain portions of the land to those Natives who are landless. The Premier brought before the House a Bill with this object. It was, however, not carried, but it signified the desires of the Government in that direction. The Government have also given expression to your desires to set up certain councils and committees to have jurisdiction within the Waikato, these councils to administer the land and other matters for the benefit of the Natives themselves and the European residents in the district. Furthermore, the Government were desirous of calling Mahuta to the Upper House. This, in my mind, is a matter of grave importance, and I think this meeting of the chiefs and the premier is a favourable opportunity for me to give expression to such views. He doubtless could explain his meaning and intention to those present. Of all matters, this, I think, is the most important. This is the first time it has been discussed publicly in the presence of the two races. I believe it is owing to the fund of information that the Premier has derived during his travels through the Island that he has arrived at this opinion. It is especially a matter of importance to be discussed this day, because all parties have agreed that is a new era, and is, therefore, a fitting time for the chiefs to listen to the new proposals. Now we come for the first time to set steadily to work, firmly determined to seek out one way in which we can all work for the general welfare. Therefore I say this is a new advent for His Excellency, for the Premier, and for Mahuta. Let them now formulate a plan for us all. This is the person who has held everything back; he alone is the one person, and I, therefore, desire especially to convey to him my heartfelt gratification at what has taken place to-day, the event being one of such great importance for our future welfare. Whatever you cannot agree upon amongst yourselves the House has to consider. Let us all express our gratitude to God for the position He has placed us in to-day.

Mr. W. A. Graham, having expressed a desire to address the Premier, spoke as follows: Mr. Seddon, I stand here to-day as one of the first native-born Europeans in Auckland. My father, Mr. George Graham, is the cause of the action I have taken during the late period of my life. I am very pleased to see Father MacDonald here to-day, for he knew my father and the position he took up with regard to the Native race. I have been impelled by my father, without self-consideration at all, to use every means I could to bring back that good-will and loyalty which he felt sure had never been forfeited by the Native race and the old colonists of New Zealand. I can say honestly that my happiest days have been spent with the Maoris. Never mind what has taken page 84place; never mind what differences there have been; if I know anything of the Native character there has been nothing but misunderstanding. Who was it in the early days that helped my father when I was a child? Who was it who offered to build that wall for our protection? It was Potatau and the Waikatos of Hauraki. To-day is the greatest day of my life. No man in the world will be more gratified in knowing that Mahuta has come forward to-day to meet the Governor and the Ministers than my father, who now lives in England. He will be delighted to hear that the bitter past has been forgotten I wish again to say that no matter what misunderstandings may have taken place there is a general desire to assist the Government in moving ahead. The Natives are not at all unwilling to do their part and to share their responsibilities provided they know how properly to do it. In all that they have been aspiring to, as Mahuta says, there never has been a wish to do anything repugnant to British rule. They are a highly sensitive race, and a noble race. Their religion and language being different from ours, and not having the privileges we have, they feel that they ought to have some way of their own of protecting themselves. I can only reiterate that this is one of the greatest days of my life. I feel assured that this meeting will be productive of good. I do not ask anything for myself, but I do ask that the benefit of the doubt be given to my Native brethren.

The Premier: Friends! Mahuta, Kaihau, Chiefs and representatives of Waikato, Taupo, and other parts of this great Island here assembled to-day, I am delighted to meet you and kindly great you; and in doing so I desire to express to you on behalf of the Government and the pakehas of New Zealand our heartfelt good wishes towards you. You are responsible to your people for your New Zealand our heartfelt good wishes towards you. You are responsible to your people for your deeds and words; and as I feel that they will indorse what you have said, I wish now to pay great attention to those matters you have brought under my notice. Te Heuheu, the first speaker, though he said he was alone on this great occasion, I know represents in person, in mind, and in speech the people of which he is the head. I know that each of the rangatiras before they came here to-day had well considered what was to be put before me as Native Minister and as the head of the Government. For some time past there has been a desire on the part of the Native chiefs and the Native people generally to remove the clouds that have for some little time hung between them and the Europeans, and the meeting of to-day with the representative of our beloved sovereign the Queen has done much in that direction.