MAORI ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 246, 10 July 1908, Page 3

MAORI ASSOCIATION.

YESTERDAY' CONFERENCE. The ; first annual conference of members of the Maori Association entered upon its second session, yosterday morning at tho Methodist Schoolroom, Sydney Street. Chief To Heu Heu, of Taupo, presided. . : • The presidont's report of tho proceedings of tho Wanganui Conference was read and adopted. ■. '■ The Secretary , (Mr. C. R. Parata) reported that the membership of tho Council numbered. 234, .including 90 vice-presidents. ''The Conference decided that , each- viceprosidont should further tho aims of tho association in his particular district, and that a number of chiefs who woro officially unattached .to tho association, be' elected honorary'members, as their influence with the members of their, tribes would bo. an important; factor in securing unity of purpose and interests. The Secretary reported that 2000 circulars, sotting forth the aims of the Association, had been sent out:: ■ No fewer than 52 petitions,, containing, a total of 2762 signatures,'were'received. .A considerable number have, still to como in, and tlio whole will be presented to Parliament in due course.- • • ' The report and balance-sheet were. road and 1 adopted, and- accounts amounting to £12- os. 7Jd. were passed for, payment: As all discussion is boing taken in Maori, it was found necessity to appoint a Press Committee, consisting of Messrs. C. R. Parata, W. Poki, R.'Paaka, and W. Uru. A suD-coinmitteo was also set up to draft rules and regulations. Tho members appointed are Messrs. C. R. Parata, Wbataboro, Eruera. te Kahu, Mohi to Ahaihikoia, and Tamo Kirimi. The Parliamentary Committeo will bo appointed to-day.