F.—No. 3a.

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FURTHER PAPERS FROM

resolution that we should give up our religion, I ask for liberty of conscience; if a man wishes to change his religion, let him do so, but do not force him. 5. I agree with reference to No. 5, that it will be a good thing to have some men set apart to see to the good conduct of the tribe, but do not choose a man simply because he is a chief, rather let him be chosen for his learning and good conduct. Eru Tahitangata: lam not in this work. I have made enemies on account of disputes about land. Agreed to 2nd and 3rd resolutions. With regard to giving up Hauhau religion, lam willing to do so, and further I am prepared to set apart a piece of land for the support of a Native teacher or minister. lam now a widower, the name of my late wife was Pupuru whenua (meaning that he was opposed to sale of lands) ; my opposition is now withdrawn. Peweti: I claim liberty of conscience. I want to know what you are asking us Hauhaus to return to. One of your places of worship I have seen in Otaki; it is a public house, and the god there worshipped is rum. Te Tura : You cannot prove that Hauhauism has destroyed men. We worship the same God in different forms. Nepia Taratoa: These laws which you propose are not new laws, they were agreed to by the tribe years ago. I agree to most of the resolutions. About No. 4, I have to say that lam a Hauhau, and that Ido not intend to give up that form of religion. The divisions amongst us have not been, caused through this or that form of religion, but because some of the people, together with Whiti, took up arms and went to Taranaki. Ihakara Te Tukumaru : These resolutions are by me. It is true it is not a new word : these laws were obeyed by some of the Ngatiraukawa who are now gone from us (dead), and by some who are still here. This Government which I here propose is not of England, or of New Zealand, but it is the Government of Heaven. The laws which govern us were taken from the higher Government I have spoken of. Many of the tribes in this country have been unfaithful to their Governor in Heaven, and have discovered laws for themselves of their own making. If you, O men of the tribe of Eaukawa, set aside these laws which have come to us from Heaven, you will die: therefore I say, remain firm to your allegiance to the Government of Heaven and its representative in New Zealand. Te Whiti has said that it is fear which makes me consent to remain here, and submit to dictation from other tribes— possibly to see my land pass into other hands. It is true, it is fear, but fear of the laws of God. The chiefs of Ngatiraukawa who are now dead, agreed on oath to obey the laws of the Government of Heaven. We are only carrying out their wishes. Now, O children of Eaukawa, turn you, and make strong your fortifications—your churches ; you will there find protection. If you trust in yourselves you will fall. This is why I invited the men of different hapus to meet here to-day ; and I now charge you men of every form of religion to remain firm in your allegiance to the great Government of Heaven, and then you cannot go wrong. There is no cause of quarrel between you and neighbouring tribes on account of' land ; let the Land Court decide on all questions of title ; rather give your attention to men than to land. I shall expect Tia Te Whatanui (half-sister to Tamehana Te Eauparaha) and Whiti to reply to the remarks about Hauhauism. Wunu Ngatiapa: Your words, O Ihakara, are good. It is good to make laws for the good of the men of your tribes. If my tribe were living nearer to you than they are, we would join you in this good work. Pawiri Te Whanui: Listen to me, 0 men of the tribe of Eaukawa; and you, 0 Mr. Booth, sent to us by our Government: The laws which have been read contain the wishes of friends and chiefs of this tribe, who have departed from us. It is a good work, therefore let us not shrink from it. Although we have many forms of religion, we have but one name, Eaukawa. The English also have but one name, although they have many forms of religion. lam a common man, and a teacher ; let others also become teachers, and let us set an example to neighbouring tribes. If the chief's who have proposed these good resolutions fail in keeping them, let them be the first to suffer. Te Peina (Hauhau) .• I agree with all the resolutions. Monday, 9th Septembee.—Meeting resumed. Henere Te Herekau: You have all heard the resolutions which have been read to this meeting. Some of the speakers with reference to the 4th resolution have said, What evil do you see in Hauhauism ? Listen ! The Ngatiraukawa Tribe is declining very rapidly. A good work was carried on in this tribe from the year 1841 to the year 1860. For twenty years we lived in peace; some of the chiefs who took a prominent part in those good works during twenty years are still living. In the year 1860 quarrelling commenced. The tribe was broken up into three parties : Ist, Kingites ; 2nd, Kupapas (neutrals) ; 3rd, Government Natives. Amongst these several parties there were some evil and some good. We had much disputing with our neighbours on account of sale of the Eangitikei-Manawatu block of land; this has led to estrangement. Then, again, we Government Natives have had a great evil to contend against—l mean, strong drink. The Hauhau form of religion I consider to be nothing more than the old Karakia Maori in a new form. Between drink and Hauhauism nothing but the bones of the tribe remain; the flesh and blood have been destroyed. Eeturn to me the cultivators of the soil. Tarapata : Your words about Kingism and Hauhauism are quite true ; but it has been your selling land which has caused trouble, and you now ask us to return to these laws which are destroying the tribe; leave us to our Hauhau form of religion. We both worship the same God. Neri : I speak to the Hauhaus. I agree to one portion of the resolutions, but I say that the Hauhaus, church people, and Government Natives are all in fault. I agree to give up killing pakehas, but claim liberty of conscience in religious matters. I joined Hauhaus voluntarily ; I have nothing to say about the evils of that religion. Moroati: Henere's charges against us Government Natives are true. You, the Hauhaus, charge us with selling land ; you are also implicated in this evil, if it be an evil. You are now offering land for sale. Pawiri Te Bangihekehua : I have been a Hauhau, but now give it up. Puke : I speak to Hauhaus. Ido not see the advantage of returning to our former religion ; there