West Coast Representative in the Legislative Council.

Whilst representation has been specially provided for in the House of Representatives, I think at the same time it is well within the Constitution that there ought to be a fair representation of the Native race in the Legislative Council. At present the South Island has a Native representative in the Legislative Council, and there is also one there from the east coast of the east coast of the North Island. There is, however, no representative from the Waikato and from the west coast of the North Island. Knowing that to be the case, I intended, through Mr. Kaihau, if the Natives on the west coast and in the Waikato?and the Ngatimaniapotos particularly?desired to be represented in the Council, to recommend accordingly. I further said that there was no one more fitted to represent your people there than Mahuta, the lineal descendant of that great chief Potatau. I wish to have your mind upon the subject, because the representative of the Queen never offers an appointment which will be refused. As the representatives of the Queen we are not prepared to tender advice until we know that those for whose good it is given are willing to accept the position. I say again, that if Mahuta was in Parliament, and in that branch of the Legislature to which I have alluded, he would be able to do great good for the people. Mr. Kaihau is in one House endeavouring to pass through that branch laws for the good of his race, and if he was ably assisted by other great rangatiras in the other branch of the Legislature there would be much better chance of getting the laws passed which they desire. Kaihau will tell you of the difficulties he has in obtaining support in his House. It would be a fitting ending of the Native business to see the rangatiras going to parliament, and, with their pakeha fellow-members, helping to pass laws for the good of both races. Let the chiefs confer upon this subject. Let them well consider it, because it is of great page 86importance to them. It is a matter which the Government do not press; we do not wish for a moment to force it upon you; all that we do is simply to give you our minds, and leave it to your good sense to decide. The honour of being appointed a Legislative Councillor is one of the highest that Her Majesty's representative could confer, and there would be nothing derogatory to Mahutu in accepting it. I have been often asked to give to your chiefs and to the world generally the views of the Government upon the question. One of the great chiefs who was a member of the Council has passed away, and there is now a vacancy, which will be kept open for a little while longer, until the Native chiefs of the Waikato and west coast have had time to consider the matters I have mentioned to you. When you have come to a conclusion let me have your mind upon the subject. I feel sure that with proper representation there the difficulties respecting your land would be dispelled. It would help to clear away the doubts which exist in respect to the rating of land not benefited by expenditure on roads. It would help to assist in bringing about a satisfactory conclusion respecting the dog-tax. I know that you wish to have the responsibility cast upon you, but it is Parliament alone that can do this.