OUR MAORI BRETHREN

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 853, 30 March 1903, Page 2

OUR MAORI BRETHREN

(To the Editor of the Times,

Sir, —Surely your East Coast, correspondent, “ Wliaro ” is a bit, rough on our dusky brethren, the Maoris, and their unfitness to locally govern themselves. Give the so-called “ Young Maori Party ” the writer sneers at a show, which requires time —and not condemn them after such a very short trial. During the period of waiting, let us Europeans show the Natives the folly of “ tohungas," charms, and faith-liealing by not patronising smiling lady palmists, who promise everything pleasant—from a charming young man (with waxed moustache) to a languishing young maiden. If the bald-headed dad of the said young man should part his 2s 6d doubtless he would be promised a delightful new crop of hair—and teeth as well. Also let the various Boards and Councils be friendly with each other, the waterworks scheme run smoothly, the John Townley dredge cease from breaking down, a man with a decent coat on his back to be safe to walk down Gladstone road without having a dirty subscription Jist poked into his face, the Government to make laws fair to all classes ; in fact, we have plenty of improvements to carry out before we can afford to find fault with a very worthy race, still in the infancy of civilisation.—l am, etc., CECIL M/ MAUNSELLj JVhataupoko, March 27, ; 1003^