I will now summarise, according to their importance, the several matters which I have submitted for your early and earnest attention. The first is the question of administration by the Native race, and the establishment of Boards intrusted with sufficient powers to properly look after the lands. Then we have the question of Native reserves: these should be dealt with on page break page 87the lines intended by your ancestors when they considered them for the good of your children. The question of the landless Natives and the settlement of the Natives upon the lands, instead of existing as you are to-day, without working, is also of great importance, At present your lives are being wasted. If you had homes of your own, probably the evil that now exists would be for ever removed. Then comes the question of the rating of the Native lands, and the altering of the law so not to inflict hardship upon the owners of land which is producing nothing. As the law stands at present it practically debars land from being dealt with, although, notwithstanding this, rates have to be paid. I will now explain the law, to show you how its bearing upon you differs from the effect it has upon Europeans. If a European cannot let his house in town he applies to the local body, which is compelled to exempt it from rates. Now, the Natives cannot get tenants, and they cannot go on the lands themselves, and though the land is within a certain distance of the road, rates have to be paid, and this means slow confiscation: this is a matter which demands your early attention and the attention of Parliament. The next question is in respect to the dog tax, and to placing the responsibility upon the Natives themselves, so that they can easily make local arrangements between themselves and the local bodies. At present the law is defective, but it must be upheld. What would, in my opinion, best help you to bring about a settlement in this and other matters would be the representation in the Legislative Council to which I have already referred. The representative of Her majesty the Queen, on the advice of his Ministers, can act in this matter. It is in his power to make the appointment. It may be said that this is a matter that should not be discussed—that is responsibility cast upon the Ministers of the day and upon the Governor. That is the constitutional position. It is, however, in my opinion for the good of both races that we should take counsel together in respect to it. You allege that you have well-founded grievances, and that matters have not been done for your good. Parliament is all-powerful, and it lies with Parliament to redress that which is unjust. If injustice exists, Parliaments is open to you as it is open to the Europeans; and my earnest advice to you, therefore, is to look to Parliament, and if you do that, and follow on the lines I have indicated, you will find that good will result. Such a thing would be a fitting ending to this great day—the greatest, in fact, for the Native race for many years. I say it is only right that you should take counsel together on these subjects, felling assured that if you act in the way suggested justice will be done. I heartily reciprocate the good wished you have expressed towards me and towards the Government, and also towards the European people of this colony. Though we differ in some respects, we both conform to the laws of our Queen.