The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOBNING, GISBORNE, JAN. 9 19C6 MAORI STUDENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1643, 9 January 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MOBNING, GISBORNE, JAN. 9 19C6 MAORI STUDENTS.

Tiie Te Aute Students’ Association held a congress at Rotorua which, amid the bustle and turmoil of the Christmas season (states the Auckland Star) has passed almost unnoticed. Yet these conferences are among the most interesting and important proofs that the Maori race is both anxious to assist in its own uplifting, and is capable of making the efforts required for the achievement of that laudable object. The mere list of the subjects discussed at this conference would astonish those who imagine that the Maoris are not fully alive to a sense of tlieir own responsibilities and tho dangers that threaten the race with extinction. At ono single session of the congress papers wore read and debates were conducted on such miscellaneous topics as the need for trained nurses in Maori villages, the scarcity of Maori

literature, the preservation of the Maori architectural style, the teaching of Maori wood-carving, the establishment of kindergarten schools among the natives, and the abolition of billiard rooms in the kaingas. On the same day it was resolved by the conference that a Maori experimental farm should be instituted, while the possibilities of farming and fruit-grow-ing on native lands were discussed at length, and an elaborate exposition of

tho new Maori Land Act was given by Mr Ngata for tho benefit of his less experienced brethren. It may not be possible to carry into effect all the re solutions adoptod by the conference, or, at least, to achieve everything that the promoters of these gatherings desire ; no one can doubt that tho great majorityjof the proposals made at the Te Aute Conference tend in the right direction, and that much permanent good must result from these discussions, and tho efforts to follow them out to a practical conclusion. But the ■ most impoytant fact about these conferences and the work attempted by them (continues the Star) is that they give evidence of tho earnest desire of the Maoris to help themselves. There are many causes combining to bring about the decay of the native race, and unless they are successfully combated tho extinction of tho Maori must

bo only n. question of timo, Nor is it oasy for tho pakoha, however familiar ho may bo with Maori customs and opinions, either to suggest effective remedies or to indueo tho natives to ap-

ply them. Wo may doubt if tho white man, no matter how closely ho associates with tho Maori, over com-

plotoly succogilb in understanding tho native or getting at tho Maori point of view. J3ufc however this may ho, it is at least certain that tho Maori understands his own pooplo better than wo can over hope to comprehend them ; and it follows that no ono but tho Maori can doviso or apply thoroughly ellectivo measures for tho improvement of tho social, physical, or moral condition of tho race. Happily, this groat | work has boon taken in hand by tho | men most capablo of performing it. The Young Maori party, consisting of men of proved intellectual ability and inspired by gonuino national spirit, has already worked wonders for the Maori Tho position of Apirana Ngata, tho new member for the East Coast, is porlinps exceptional. But the example of this young man has not been lost upon thoso natives who liavo not enjoyed his advantages or cannot compote | with him in natural ability. It is surely ! a romarkablo fact that a young man who lias taken tho highest degrees in Arts and Literature and Law that our Uuivorsity can bestow should cheerfully and spontaneously give up tho prospects of a distinguished professional career and devote himself to tho task of teaching tho natives how to farm their lands and how to improve their lives. But Apirana Ngata does not stand alone. There are many Maoris of his typo who, though they have not his natural ability and have not had his opportunities, are inspired by the same patriotic sentiment, and tho same earnest desire to ameliorate the condition of the race. And the reforms which they advocate deserve the most serious and sympathic consideration ; for it is certain that we can never hope to do for tho Maoris so much as, when wisely directed and capably lod, they can do for themselves.