IMPROVEMENT OF THE MAORI.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 35, 5 November 1907, Page 3

IMPROVEMENT OF THE MAORI.

*- A ■ NATIONAL CONGRESS. "It is felt by many that the interests of the race the time has now conic when tho Maoris should publicly demonstrate the fact that they have entered upon a period of progress along various industrial and social linos." The above statement summarises the motives which .have actuated the promoters of the movement to hold a Maori Congress in Wellington. It is intended to hold the gathering in Wellington next year, and the preliminary steps arc now being taken. An Executive Committee has been appointed, and x it comprises tho Native Minister, and four Maori members of tho House, Mr. Thornton (Principal of To Ante College), the Rev. F. W. Chatterton (Principal of To Ran College), Mr. tt. T. Konerc (assistant master at Te Ran), Dr. Poinare, and Dr. Wi Repa (of Otago University). The secretary is Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.U., assisted by Mr. W. Pitt, secretary to the Chief Judgo of the Native Land Court. The movement originated with Mr. Thornton, of To Ante College, and a circular has been issued outlining tho scope and objects of the Congress. In addition to the paragraph quoted above, the circular contains the following statements: — There is reason to believe that the people of New Zealand as a whole are lamentably ignorant of tho advance which has been made by the Maori race during the last ten years. As a consequence of this ignoranco the Maori suffers from misconceptions, prejudices, misrepresentations and false judgments. The time, seems opportune for a consolidated raco effort to right these wrongs. Great efforts have been mado of late years to educate Maori public opinion np to a higher standard of living. That these efforts have not been fruitless we have tho testimony of those best qualified to judge. But such men are fow in number. People generally know little or nothing about the healthier public sentiment that now prevails. Hence tho need of a public demonstration. In order still further to foster the growth of'sound public opinion, : to consolidate it, and give to it public expression, many friends-of tho race are of opinion' that a largo and representative Congress should assemble in Wellington some time during the (irst half of the year 1908, that tho Governor should be respectfully asked to open the meeting, and that every effort should be made to give wide publicity to tho proceedings through the medium of the Press. It is proposed that the following institutions and departments should bo fully and efficiently represented:—(l) Maori Councils; (la) The Nativo Department, throughl the Minister; (2) The Health Department, through its medical officers and sanitary inspectors; (3) The Maori Church, by representative Native clergy; (-4) Education, through Te Auto College, Government Nativo schools, Te Rau Theological College, St. Stephen's, Three Kings, and kindred institutions, and that the heads of these should be invited to attend; (5) the Te Auto Association; (G) representatives of tho dairying, pastoral, and agricultural interests. It is believed that such a gathering cannot fail to bo productive of numerous and excellent results, amongst which may be montioned tho following:— (1) It will enlighten tho people of the Dominion in regard to the true t/ial and social position of the Maori race at tho present time. (2) It will afford an opportunity for sum- ' ming up and tabulating what has been accomplished by Maori enterprise along tho various lines, of-.progress. (3) It will demonstrate to the people of New Zealand what the Government has done and is doing for the Maori race. (4) It will tend to unify tho raco by defining and promulgating a race-policy of progress. , (5) It will exert a healthy educational and stimulating influence amongst the Maoris generally. When one tribe learns what another tribe has accomplished, a healthy spirit of emulation will bo evoked. (6) It will afford the race an opportunity that it has never yot enjoyed, of making widely known, through its accredited and enlightened representatives, its views, its needs, and it grievances. Advantage will bo taken of tho Congress to put before the Maori representatives a question which is becoming move and more piominont in Maori politics, namely, whether tho timo has not arrived for doing away with the special representation of tho Maori people in Parliament. The decision of tho Congress 'on this point, if it . goes in the direction of the abolition of special reproseiltation, will bo submitted to a kind of informal referendum of the Maori electors of the different districts at tho next general election. If not in tho three northern electorates, tho issue will certainly bo submitted in th'o Eastern Maori electorate. .