“UPLIFTING THE MAORI.”

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 365, 15 March 1902, Page 3

“UPLIFTING THE MAORI.”

LECTURE BY REV. E. BENNETT.

An interesting and instructive lecture upon the subject of “ The Social and Intellectual Aspect of the Young Maori Party’s Programme,” was delivered by the Rev. F. Bennett at the Theatre Royal last night, His Lordship Bishop Williams presiding. The unfortunate state of the weather militated against the attendance, but those present enjoyad a rare intellectual treat. In his opening remarks the lecturer referred to tho origin of the Maori and his settlement in New Zealand, and then dealt with the main characteristics of the race ns observed by the missionaries when the latter first came to the colony. The work of tho Revs. Marsden and Williams, early missionaries, was touched upon, many interesting incidents in connection therewith being given. The

speaker pointed out that tho missionaries

mentioned held tho full confidence of the Natives and accomplished good work in the colony. The lecturer showed that tho hostility of tho Natives to the Pakeba arose from the deceitful practices indulged in by traders who time after time were most unfair in their dealings. “ Treat tho Maori well, and invariably you

will find that the Maori will treat you

well,” remarked Mr Bonnett. Brief reference was made to tho troublesome times of 1860, and many incidents were narrated to show that the Maori generally acted with the spirit of justice and honor towards his enemy. Speaking of cannibalism among tho Maoris, Mr Bennett said that his father-in-law was present at a cannibalistic feast, and saw

the elder natives eat of the ttesh of the enemy. At great length and in an exceedingly interesting manner the lecturer placed before bis bearers the main features of the young Maori party, and in an eloquent and passionate appeal sought their sympathy and support in tho cause of uplifting the native race. It was the desire of the young Maori party, he said, to abolish all pernicious and injurious customs, and by education and other means to bring thorn to tho levol of tho best of tho pakehas. Referring to the Rotorua gathering on the occasion of tho visit of the Duke aud Duchess, Mr Bonnett said that no loss than 4000 natives were gathered together, and during the whole of the time they were at Rotorua there was not a single case of imprisonment, not a single case of drunkenness. There was not even a European constable to take charge of the whole population of that camp. “ Put 4000 pakehas together,” remarked the lecturer, “ and I don’t know how many policemen it will take to keep them in propor control.” (Laughter.) The lecturer referred at length to tho evils arising from drunkenness, and stated that the Young Maori Party had prohibited liquor being taken into Native settlements, heavy fines being inflicted in all cases where the law was broken. The sanitary condition of the Natives was fully gone into, and the speaker also made lengthy reference to the proposal to ostablish a school for the education of Nativo girls. He claimed that tho Maori boys and girls were just as capable of being thoroughly educated as Q were the European children. In support of this, he gave the results already obtained, showing that out of 480 girls who had been educated during the last twenty-five years there had only been 27 failures. In conclusion, Mr Bennett referred to tho difficulties that the Natives at present labored under, and tho need thero was for immediate steps to be taken to improve their condition. After quoting tho census returns, the lecturer stated that ho had no fear as to the extinction of the Maori race. They would, no doubt, die out, but it would only be by absorption with the pakeha race. It should be their aim to develop the Maori in such a way that the absorption of the race should take place on the most equal lines. At the present time, some of the Natives wore below the level of the European, and, if they were to be absorbed, they must be uplifted. The lecture throughout was exceedingly interesting. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Bennett at the close.