MAORI CHIEFS IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2156, 23 May 1914, Page 5

MAORI CHIEFS IN ENGLAND

TO VENTILATE ALLEGED

GRIEVANCES

London, May 21. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for Now Zealand, on behalf of his Government, welcomed tlio Maori king and chiefs who have como to England to lay their grievances beforo tlio King.

Towards the end of March. last a meeting of about 300 Maoris, representing a majority of tribes, was licit! at AVaahi, near Euntly, and there was a long disj cussiou of a proposal that certain Maori I leaders should- proceed to .England and lay the grievances of tho race before tho British authorities. The movement was initiated by Tupu Taingakawa, adviser to the young Maori "King," To Rata, but tho majority of the delegates were strongly opposed to it. Supported by the Hon. fir. Pomave and Mr. ; Uenaro Kaihau, they contended that, beforo representations woro made to tho British, authorities, overy possible means at hand of remedying grievances should be exhausted. They held, also, 'that if an embassy wore to go .forward, it should be fully representative of tho Native races, which would ho united under To Rata. The following of Tupu, on tho other hand, woro impatient of delay,, and declared that an immediate application to tho highest authorities in tho Emniro was the only way to finality, especially, as, they alleged, New Zealand Governments for decades past had mado no effort to bring about tho remedies desired. Tho chief aims of the Maori visitors to England were to bo tho restoration of tho lands confiscated as the result of the Maori wars, and tho conservation of fishing and forest rights, in accordance with the spirit and letter of tho Treaty of Waitangi. Notwithstanding the vigorous nature of the opposition, Tupu determined that the visit to England should tnke place, and berths were booked in tho Niagara, sailing on April 11, for a party of four, comprising Te Rata (tho "King"), Tupu Taingakawa ("lung's" adviser), Paul (interpreter), and Meta Taraka. The intention is to return in six months. Tupu is confident of success, and is determined that . social distractions shall not interfere with the object of tho visit. While proceeding through Canada the party will endeavour to gain all possiblo information about the sister Dominion.