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Proceedings of of the Kohimarama Conference, Comprising Nos. 13 to 18 of the "Maori Messenger."

Reply from Ngatikahungunu. No. 1

Reply from Ngatikahungunu. No. 1.

Maramara Kohikohi, July 14, 1860.

Friend, the Governor of New Zealand,—

1. Salutations to you! You have invited us, the men of Turanga, to assemble in your presence and to express our thoughts before you and before your runanga.
2. Bishop Williams has also informed us about the Queen and her kindness towards New Zealand. She governs the Pakeha race in England and her authority is also over this island.
3. There is no other nation that will presume to fight against New Zealand, It is for the English only to do this, for there have been page 35 three quarrels already, and these were between the English and the New Zealanders.
4. It will be for the Maori chiefs to consider that document which was written at Waitangi. From the first Governor even to the last there has been but one word—love, kindness and good-will towards us. Now, therefore, my dear friends, let this be held fast in the love of God.
5. As regards the evils at our own place: we are giving our attention to these causes of perplexity. To some extent we are successful in dealing with them, for we are desirous that the good customs of the Pakehas should prevail amongst us.
6.

We assure you that we have no other object. Our thoughts take but one direction and are not hidden. Yet there is another word floating on the wind, namely, that as soon as the war against Taranaki is ended, the Governor will commence hostilities against Turanga. Such is the report we have heard. There are questions at issue at Turanga. There is a difference with a Pakeha named Read, about one of their young men, named Tipuna, who was lost in Read's vessel. The correspondence relating to this case has reached the Government.

We shall now carefully consider these words of the Queen and of the Governor [contained in the Address] and we shall hold fast these assurances of good-will which have been given us.

7. It is true; there are false reports current in the mouths of unbelievers, even those with which you are acquainted.
8. This is what we say. We do not in any way consent to the Maori King, that he should be King over New Zealand. Let those tribes have the King to themselves. We have also great names in our district, such as Hinematioro, Te Kaniotakirau Hirini; yet we should not approve of any of these being made King—no!
9. These are our words respecting this paragraph [the ninth]. The settlement of the matter between you and Waikato and William King rests with yourselves. Our thoughts are occupied with one thing only, namely, to attend to the good which is set before us by the Queen, and by God. The protecting power of the God of Heaven is upon His children, upon such as call upon Him, day and night. So, likewise also, the Queen's authority is over whatever pertains to, or concerns, our temporal welfare.
10. It is right that you should ask for our opinions. They are as follows. There is one body, one faith, one baptism, and one Parent, even God in Heaven. The Queen, in England, shall be the parent of the people of New Zealand.
11. It is well that we should be reminded of our kind treatment by the Queen, in order that it may be properly appreciated. page 36 The Magistrates at Turanga do not thoroughly understand how to apply the law to the Maori and Pakeha offences.
12.

It will be well that the war in New Zealand be dealt with deliberately. Let nothing be done hastily. Let care be taken to distinguish the great evil.

After this Conference, the only thing which is likely to cause trouble in the midland portion of this Island is, the Maori King, whose pretensions set him up above every thing.

The evil lies in interfering in the war for the purpose of obtaining power. This is a great offence. It is a piece of arrogant assumption.

13. We are one in love. The law has united us. Of the ten commandments, four relate more particularly to our duty towards God, and the other six to our duty towards man. Our thoughts lie in these words.
14. This is good, as it shows in what manner good-will one towards another should be manifested. The heart which has enmity towards God or man is an evil thing. Love to God and man is peace with God, the Queen, and her subjects.
15. These things occupy the attention of the Turanga people,—the cultivation of wheat and the conveyance of it to Auckland, and the buying of clothes, and vessels, of which we have three. These are the names of the vessels we own this year, 1860,—the "James," the "Henry," and the "Tui."
16. Friend, no foreign nation will presume to molest New Zealand, for good rules have long been laid down for the Pakehas and the Maories in this Island, that they may dwell in peace and quietness. We shall not unite with any foolish tribe who may join others in fighting against the subjects of the Queen. We shall not strike out any new path. There is but one law,—the law of God for the spirit, and the law of the Queen for those things which concern the body and our temporal welfare.
17. (We accept) the congratulations on our improved condition, which you offer us on behalf of the Queen of England. God also bestowed His blessing on Abraham and Sarah. It was promised that their seed should be as the stars, and as the sand on the seashore for multitude. So let this blessing rest upon the people of New Zealand, even as the love of God upon the whole world. It is on this account that we prize the precepts of Christianity.
18. Your prayer for the blessing of God upon the deliberations of your Councils, when assembled before you, is very proper. It is also the practice of the Church to pray to God that He would subdue the hearts of the unruly. Leave this to God. We shall now try to understand your propositions and the real meaning of the subjects
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which are here fully laid before us. Enough.

From your loving friends,

Tamati Hapimana Te Rangituawaru, Tamihana Rautapu, Te Waka Perohuka,
of Turanga.