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The troubles which have existed among some of the Maori people have been known to me in the past; and now I am here, it is my duty to do my best to remove them. I know, too, what has been done by my predecessor, and the General Assembly, to settle these difficulties which have arisen; and I desire to finish the work of putting things right. I am told that you are desirous of seeing me, and representing to me your view of what should be done to promote this good end. That is very good : and if. you will let me know when you will come to Wellington to wee me, you shall be received with fitting hospitality, and I will not only listen to whatever you wish to say to me, but also, if you show that wrong has been done, will do justice, in accordance with the law and the will of the Queen. Should you consider the distance between Wellington and Parihaka too great to travel, then there is another way in which it would be easier for us to meet to discuss these matters. I shall soon be journeying round the Colony, to make myself acquainted with the affairs of Europeans and Natives throughout these Islands ; and in my journey I shall visit New Plymouth. Now, if you will come to see me there, you can more readily return from thence to your own people, to tell them the result of our conference. Or, if you prefer it, I will meet you at any other place on my way between New Plymouth and Havvera, by the inland road. 1 am told that you have heard of what is proposed to be done for the settlement of differences ; and when we meet, I will make more clear to you the provision which will be made for the settlement of your people, and the plans which I have for their future welfare. I have lately ruled over a people very like the Maoris. I have left them happy and contented, discussing their own affairs. They make their wishes known to the Queen and to the Governor in a regular manner, through duly-constituted channels. Why do not you and yours, in like manner, avail yourselves of those channels which, though not the same, here answer a similar purpose ? Why should we not talk of these matters ? I have heard that you are a man of peace, and that you have striven to prevent war. The light is still lingering on the mountain-top. - When you receive this letter, write to me at once, so that I may know what your intentions are — whether you will come here, or whether you will meet me on my journey—and I will then let you know what day I shall be at New Plymouth. If you explain in your letter what your grievances are, I shall be the better able to answer you when we meet. Prom your friend, Abthtje G-oedon.
Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 1 in No. 38. Mr. Paeeis to the Hon. the Peemiee. Sib,— New Plymouth, 19th November, 1880. I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the instructions conveyed to me in your telegram of the 3rd instant, I visited Parihaka on the 17th instant, to be present at the monthly meeting, for the purpose of explaining to Te Whiti and his followers what has been done by the West Coast Commissioners, together with their recommendations to the Government for the final settlement of the land question on the West Coast, &c.; which I am sorry to say I was prevented from doing by Te Whiti, who unmistakably indicated that he would not treat with any subordinate of the Government, and, consequently, would not allow me to make any statement, as will be seen by the herewith enclosed copy of report of the meeting. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. E. Paeeis.
Parihaka Meeting, 17th Novembeb, 1880. About 1,200 Natives present, larger proportion of whom were women. Te Whiti addressed the Natives to the following effect: At the beginning of the world all things were ordained that were to happen in old times, those which were to happen in the intermediate period, and those which were to happen yesterday ; whether important or unimportant events, whether for good or evil, all were ordained which were to happen on earth. Also, those evils which were to happen in our days —namely, wars and dissensions: all of the latter, however, are now at an end. This also was ordained of old. The wars of our time were prophesied, as were also the different wars of different generations: all that was to happen in. the earlier and intermediate periods down to our own time. We could not have altered anything, strive as we may. We have seen what happened in the early part of the world's history; good and bad were mingled: so in the intermediate period, down to the present day. Do not let us be blind to what may happen to-day, lest bad mingle with good. All that happened of old we know, as also of a later period down to yesterday. Listen carefully : all things shall be altered to-day, and shall be conducted differently henceforth ; this day is quite altered from other days —all old ties are dissolved, whether they proceed from men or laws. War shall cease, and shall no longer divide the world. Adam's race has fallen over many cliffs, but the cliffs have disappeared by numerous landslips, and none shall fall over those cliffs again. It was ordained in the beginning that I should address you as I am doing to-day on this subject. I shall say but little to you to-day but this: that there is still a cliff left over which men will fall. It is not the man who tells you this, but the Father. All that has been hidden shall be brought to light this day. The state of men, both old and young, is like that of a pig struggling in agony, after having been almost killed by blows on the head. There is one cliff still left which has not been levelled, and that is death. All that has been foretold has come to pass ; no portion has been omitted; nothing added, and nothing taken away. This is a day for you all to settle down in peace ; and remember, the nearer you are to death, the nearer also you will be to life. All that was done of old was to lead up to the things that are being done in our time.
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