MAORI TRAVELLER'S COMPLAINT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 4

MAORI TRAVELLER'S COMPLAINT.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l was much surprised this mornine on arriving at the Pito-one (or socalled "Petone) railway station to be informed by the stationmaster that I could not travel by train. Like the Chinaman, I said "Whaffor? Isn't the train going?" The stationmaster replied, "Come into the office." Ho then read me the proclamation of the Health Department, stating that Maori or half-casto peoplo were prohibited from travelling by train unless they produced a certificate of vaccination. 1 had then to return and get vaccinated by Dr. Harding. In consequence, I. missed my train. I had an important business appointment in town, and was much put out in consequence. This smallpox is one of tho "blessings" (f) brought to our native country by tho pakeha. Smallpox was quite unknown amongst us Maori people until the arrival of the pakeha. Why, the, should we Maori people be inconvenienced by this pakeha disease? Why does not our paternal Government stop the Main Trunk express altogether, and so prevent tho diseaso being, brought into Wellington ? I would remind your pakeha readers that, after' an intercourse with- _ us, extending over a century, we Maori people have not contaminated them with any disease whatsoever. It now seems like adding insult'' to injury that the pakeha, after importing this fell disease, now prevents my people from boarding a suburban train.—l am, etc., ... Daniel love.