A.—Bb

1882. NEW ZEALAND.

WEST COAST NATIVE AFFAIRS (FURTHER PAPERS RESPECTING). [In Continuation of A.-8a.]

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

The Peemieb to His Excellency the Abmiiosteatoe. Memorandum for Sis Excellency. Ministers present their respectful compliments to the Administrator of the Government; and submit for His Excellency's approval, the accompanying Proclamation respecting past proceedings relative to Native affairs on the west coast of the North Island, the present attitude of certain Natives there, and the position which the Government now feel bound to take in the matter. 2. The reasons which induce Ministers to recommend the issue of the Proclamation are stated in that document. 3. Ministers desire to add, that they believe the proposed step has become unavoidable through the continued refusal of Te Whiti and his adherents to listen to any proposals for a pacific settlement of outstanding difficulties —the threatening language recently used by Te Whiti—and the aggressive attitude assumed by the Natives assembled at Parihaka from various parts of the colony. Those Natives have congregated in large numbers on land which they have been warned they would not be allowed to occupy: they have erected fences upon such land: and a collision has been avoided only because the Government have forborne, up to the present time, to interfere with the illegal proceedings of those men. Still more recently, they have, in large numbers, interfered with settlers occupying lands purchased from the Government: they have forced a stoppage of work which was being carried on, have pulled down fences, and have ordered the settlers off the ground. 4. The hope was entertained that the speech to be made by Te Whiti at the late monthly meeting at Parihaka would have given some reason for believing that a more reasonable view was being taken by him ; but that hope has been disappointed. The Natives are daily becoming more bold in aggression and in resistance to the law; and. the apprehension and excitement amongst the settlers have been constantly increasing. The Government have been compelled, at great expense, to add to the strength of the forces on the coast; and, altogether, the matter has now become so pressing, that, in the opinion of Ministers, the issue of this Proclamation is urgently and pressingly necessary. Wellington, October 19tb, 1881. John Hall.

Enclosure. Administrator of the Government. A PROCLAMATION. Fob nearly two years past, the Government has been endeavouring to bring about a satisfactory conclusion of difficulties on the West Coast of the North Island, and to affect such a settlement of the lands as would enable Europeans and Maoris to live together in peace. In January, 1880, a Eoyal Commission was appointed, in accordance with the will of Parliament, to inquire into any claims and grievances which might exist on the part of the Natives in reference to such lands, so that just grounds of complaint might be removed and peace be firmly established. Governor Sir Hercules Robinson, in his Proclamation announcing the appointment of this Commission, said that the confusion then existing could not be allowed to continue, and he called, in the name of the Queen, on all her subjects to assist him in bringing about friendly relations between the two races. The Commissioners proceeded to make their inquiries. They recommended setting aside for the Natives a fair and suitable portion of the land, to be given to them on condition of their loyally

Gazette, N0.83,p.1299.