MR A. T. NGATA’S RETURN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1634, 23 December 1905, Page 2

MR A. T. NGATA’S RETURN.

Tun o'ottion of a Maori number Lr iho Bast Co ist being now practically o/cr, wo roudor to tho member e'ccl, Mr A. T. Ngata, our hearty congratu'a'.ibns. Doubtless many will fool a pang of iogrtt that tho redoubt bio Wi Poro has gone under, but as soon as tho first foiling pa'ses, Wi and his friends will join hands wilh tho youog reformer in working for the common good. In Mr Ngata Parliament has secuitd a class of man of whom it

may woll bo proud. He is a Native in namo only, with a classical knowledge of English. Ho is an improsßivo, not to say eloquent speaker, and there nro those who prefer bis style to that of his oonfrore, the Native Mmistor. A cultured man, Mr Ngata lias also widely bonehted by Icssoub learnt in the school of expert- , once. His ardent desire has been for tho betterment of his Maori b.cthrorr, but be has never blinded himself to tho fact that any improvement must come from the jo nt effoitr of the two races. Ho has tticroforo oocouiaged prao tioal self help for the Maori, more attention (o the laws of sanitation and heal h, and waging oonsiant war against besotting sins of gambling aid the like. As a mernbtr of Parliament ho will rightly be considered an expert in mattors touching the Maori race, and ho is Buro to bo a power of assistance to tho Native Minister, 1 while he will alio have an intimate know lodge and appreciation of the needs and requirements of the district, and no doubt back tho member for Walapu in his effor get justice done to the district.