THE PREMIER’S TOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2148, 25 March 1908, Page 3

THE PREMIER’S TOUR.

INTERVIEW WITH RUA. Press Association. ROTORUA. March. 24. Tlio Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, had an. important interview at Whakatane with the notorious Maori chief Him, who has caused the Government considerable trouble by his influence against reform in the Urewera district. ’SRiia, it- is understood, is not going to persist in bis attempt to block efforts to better the conditions of the native any longer. Sir jJosenh Ward told Rua’s followers that'there could not be two governments in the country, and that Rim’s request to have all the nativCo i)lucod on "tlio electoral: rolls could not be acceded to, as the Maoris already had representatives, and could not be represented in Parliament bv both Europeans and Aliens. Sir J. AVard returned to Auckland bv exmoss train yesterday. ‘ \ conference will take place on Wednesday between Rua and other native chiefs of the Urewera district and the Alinister for Native Affairs, respecting the settlement of milling rights in "the Urewera country. RETURN TO AUCKLAND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 24. Tho Prime Alinister returned to Auckland by express train this evening, and to-morrow evening he will deliver a political address at Onelumga, a nil after fulfilling otliei' encasements in Auckland will leave on Saturday for Wellington, and early next month he will tour . Centiaf Otago. , Speaking to-day with reference to ihi-s meeting with Rua, tho Maori prophet-, Sir Joseph said that lie declined to <'o up to Rua’s encampment in the Urewera country, as asked by Rua, but telegraphed to Rua that it lie desired to see him lie could do so whenhe (the Premier) returned to Whakatane. Rua journeyed to Whakatane, and tho interview took place.