THE MAORI PRISONERS.

Evening Star, Issue 2842, 28 March 1872, Page 3

THE MAORI PRISONERS.

To the Editor. SIR, —It may not perhaps be within the recollection of all your readers that when the Fenian prisoners were released in England, they were provided by the Government with a suit of clothes, a sum of money (I think L 5) and a saloon passage to the United States by Gnuard’s line—an officer from Milbank Prison accompanying them to the place of embarkation. It is ridiculous to institute a comparison between the treatment on the discharge of the Fenians and Maoris. With the single exception that they were both rebels, the cases are totally different. The Fenians, either through their friends or sympathisers, had an almost unlimited command of money for whatever purpose required, and in reality stood in no want of the assistance given them by the British Government. The Maoris, on the other hand, were on their arrival here totally destitute, filthy, and in rags. They were consequently unable to procure clothing themselves, and it seems to me that if the General Government had neglected to provide the Maoris with clothing, their appearance about our streets almost in a state of nature would been hailed with delight by the witty writer of “ Casual Notes ” in the Daily Times (notwithstanding the shock to his no doubt moral sensibilities). as affording him that opportunity of barking at the Government which he lias in vain sought in the present case. 1 would observe, in conclusion, that taking into account the undoubted benefit the presence of the Maoris has been to Dunedin and its suburbs, no right-minded citizen should feel jealous of the circumstance of the Maoris having been presented with the magnificent outfit of a slop coat, waistcoat, moleskin trouset s cotton shirt, and “ billycock ” hat. What less they could have got iu order to appear commonly docent I am at a loss to conceive. Perhaps some of those who carp at the costume as being too extravagant, will favor the public with their ideas on the subject. I am, &e., The Galtee Bov. Dunedin, March 21.