LOOKING BACK.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 909, 31 August 1910, Page 7

LOOKING BACK.

OLD MAORI CUSTOMS TO 813 • REVIVED. A NATIVE PARLIAMENT. THE REAL OLD-TIME TOHUNG A* A big schoino is at present occupying the time and enthusiasm. of Mr. Hcnaro Eaihau, who represents the Western Maori District, and Trho is generally regarded as the leader of the "Kingite" movement, and is held to bo tho real power behind the throne on which "King" Mahuta sits. The scheme is no less than the setting up of a Maori "Pailiiiment," • though from, what Mr. Eaihau says of. the powers of that body it will not have such extended functions as the high-sounding title'might indicate. It will, however, be surrounded by much circumstance and pomp, and Mr. Eaihau thinks it will have an important influence on the Maori race.

Briefly, Mr. Kaihau's proposal Is that the funds which the followers of King Mahuta hope to receive shortly from tha subdivision of their lands should be usei to establish a Native' township, with i Parliament buildings, offices, school, and church, somewhere between Ngaruawahia and Taupiri. It is proposed to set apart three thousand acres or more on which the township will be built. Tho homo 'which it is intended to erect for tho Maori Parliament will, even it it ia erected within the next few months, be a commodious and ornamental one, bnt if its erection is delayed for about two pears, and Mr. Eaihau thinks it may be, it is intended to spend ten thousand Bounds on it. About two thousand pounds will bo spent on offices. Tho affairs of tho township will be managed by tho Parliament, which will sit in it, and consistent with the observance of existing pakeha laws, Parliament will have full control, and will collect rates and' taxes. The laud will, be cut up into. town and there will bo no objection to Europeans taking Hp these sections, provided, they coniorm to the by-laws ana regulations made by Parliament for the good conduct of the township. Pakeha institutions will be adopted to a largo extent in the ordinary conduct of tho township; there will even be a gaol and a court, but it is hoped to induce the Government to appoint a Native magistrate with a limited jurisdiction, cases outside his jurisdiction to be taken to a European magistrate for decision. The education ordinarily provided in tho Native school will be given to the children, an<4 it is hoped to nave fully qualified Maori teachers, if not, Europeans will be employed. The children will be taught both Maori and .English.

A Rallying Point for Maori Sentiment, j Speaking throu|h an interpreter Mr. Kaihau explained to a Dominion reporter what lio conceives to be the real value of his proposal. He.believes that 'unless : some such scheme is brought into operation the Maori language, Maori tradition, and Maori customs will be lost to an irroparablo extent beforo many : years have gone. The real Native language was fast passing away, Mr. Kaihau declared, and if it was to be preserved it must bo systematically .taught Similarly many grand Native oustoms- wcre passing and to preserve them some' place must be provided •where they could be fostered and practised. The township would provide a rallying point for = Maori, sentiment and it was confidently expected that it would find a warm corner m the hearts of all' North Island Maoris, including those who were not followers of King. Mahnta. There was - a general feeling that since the Maoris j had been ruled by European laws they £ .hod gained little. and lost much. Their liiids'' had been taken from them for s muoh less than their value, and so they would regard this effort at local self-gov-ernment with sympathy.

It is also hoped to revive the old-timo tohunga, the'real tohunga. "Our people used to live to be 100," said Mr. Kaihau, "now they died at fifty. We still have some men who have power in faith-heal-ing, though not so much power as formerly, but if we get back our old customs they will gain more power." The parliament which Mr. Kaihau hopea to set up will consist of fifty-six members, twenty-five nominated by "King" Mahuta ' and the remainder elected by the owners of land. There will be'four Cabinet Ministers and a Premier. When • asked who would probably occupy the high office, Mr. Kaihau modestly admitted that tlis people wished him to accept it. Tho Maori Parliament will interest itself a • good deal in the settlement of land and conserving the interests of the Maori owners. Mr. Kaihau is hopeful that he will induce the Government to approve of his scheme. If they don't, he says, it does not matter. "The land will be our own, and we don't ask tho Government for any money, go I don't see how they can interfere. In any case we are determined to go right ahead with our. scheme."