28

A.—3b

Mr. Head : That is all the spokesman has to say. Now a chief from each village will stand up and say a few words. This is Togiafulu, member of the Island Council for Tamakautoga. He is also a Magistrate. Togiafulu: This is what we wish. We wish to"be under a large cloak—that is, Great Britain. Hon. Mr. Mills : You are, the same as we are. While annexed to New Zealand it is only that the administration comes from New Zealand, as being closer than Great Britain. Togiafulu : I have practically the same to say about liquor as the previous speaker. We wish to be always on friendly terms with our parent—that is, the New Zealand Government, that has taken us over. Why we wished to be under British control was that we thought that an older person would have more experience than a young one. Hon. Mr. Mills : No ; Britain would have less knowledge so far as the Natives are concerned. Tatagata (member of the Council for Alofi) : Formerly we used to do things according to the Niue fashion. Now that the Government have taken over the island we wish things done according to the European fashion. We wish to be cut adrift from Rarotonga; Colonel Gudgeon to have jurisdiction over Rarotonga only ; Niue to be governed from Great Britain or New Zealand. That is all. Hegotule (member of the Council for Avatele) : When Lord Ranfurly came here we all met in this settlement. We asked him that Great Britain should take care of us. Yes, he led us to understand that he was sent here by England, and although he was Governor of New Zealand he had not come here as such, but as a representative of the Queen. Latterly we heard that we were to be under the control of the New Zealand Government. We are also, it seems, connected with Rarotonga, for some of the Rarotonga laws were brought here, and it has been very hard on us. We also hear that in New Zealand they do not have laws like the laws of Rarotonga and the laws that have been passed here. Also the traders having to pay a license ; that is a law that emanates from Rarotonga, not a New Zealand law. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Head) : Tell him he is wrong there. They pay licenses in mining districts in New Zealand. I can assure him that traders in mining districts in New Zealand pay for their licenses, somewhat similar to what is being done in these islands. Hegotule: Formerly we paid a small duty of 10 per cent., and latterly the Rarotonga duties were brought here, and they are very heavy on us. There is a heavy duty also on the Native passengers' luggage. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Head) : Tell him there is an exemption up to £100 allowed in New Zealand, and by the New Zealand tariff, on luggage belonging to a man which has been used by him. Mr. Head : They do not wish the articles to be valued separately. If a box contains twenty or thirty pounds' worth of goods they wish the duty to be charged on that—ls. or 2s. for the box, as the case may be. Their arrangements with Mr. Smith were upset all of a sudden. Hon. Mr. Mills : Well, I cannot say for what length of time Mr. Smith made arrangements, but I understand it was only a tentative measure to have effect until matters were definitely arranged by Act through the Parliament of New Zealand, and then when the House met they looked upon this island as part and parcel of themselves, and so no difference was made at all. Mr. Head : They say the island was given to Great Britain, and it was handed to New Zealand without consulting them in any way. As to Government works, such as road-making, they wish to be paid for their labour. Hon. Mr. Mills : Mr. Maxwell informs me that when work has been done for the general good of the island he has distributed a certain quantity of food, &c, as encouragement to the workers, but when he specially engages labour he pays a full day's wages. Uea (a teacher in the Village of Alofi) : I wish to speak on behalf of the mission. lam the only teacher of Alofi who is speaking on behalf of the mission. They wish that any timber or iron they import shall be exempt from duty provided it is for missionary work. Hon. Mr. Mills : In that case those who are interested should write to the Collector stating what they wish and the amount of rebate it would mean. The letter would then be sent on to me as Minister of Customs, and I should reply either granting the privilege or not. I could not definitely say until Cabinet had given the matter full consideration and decided if the request should be granted. Vile (a householder) : There is paper money here. It is not right. Then, with reference to Colonel Gudgeon, we do not want Colonel Gudgeon to have jurisdiction. When the traders send us to any part of the island with messages they give us a paper, value Is. They should give us Is. in cash. We return the paper and get goods. This is what we want :we want a cash price for everything, and no barter—we want the traders to give us money for everything, and no paper money. That is all I have to say. A Native : The Britishers are a very strong people. When you return to New Zealand we hope you will have a pleasant journey across the sea and reach home to find all well. This is the house we have built; the people of Niue have built it for the use of King Edward, and it has been handed over to Mr. Maxwell. If in future it wants any repair the Government will have to compensate those working upon it. The house took longer to build than it would have taken if the timber and iron had come down together. That is all. Togia : This is the house we have built for the use of the Resident for New Zealand. We handed him the house on the 12th of this month as the representative of Great Britain. Of that day we have said all we have to say. To-day we have come to meet Mr. Mills, the Minister of New Zealand. That is all. Hon. Mr. Mills : I have to thank you for meeting me here to-day and giving me your views on these several matters. I have had notes taken of all you have said so that nothing will be lost. On my return to New Zealand these matters will be fairly represented to Cabinet, and I can assure