FUTURE OF THE MAORI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2247, 20 July 1908, Page 1

FUTURE OF THE MAORI.

NATIVE AND PAKEHA. SPECIAL OR EQUAL RIGHTS ? (Spooilal to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, July, 18. Should the Maori bo inorgod in the pakeha or should ho retain his prosont distinct political individuality r was tlie question that was discussed at tho Maori Congress on Friday. Mr. A. L. D. Eraser, M.P., contended! that tlio special Parliamentary representation of tho Maoris should bo abolished, and that tlioy should bo placed on tho same doctoral roll ns tho pakcha, and thus bo allowed a freer choice of a candidate than tlioy had at present. Ho advocated tho abandonment of tho racial dilTerouces, and claimed that in tho interest of both races thoro should bo no legislative barrier. Revolting to the appoals of our legislators to grant a representative concession to tho Maoris, ho quoted Mr. Fitzgorald’s celebrated, classic address, delivered on August 6th, 1802, and said it was strange that wliiJo ho (tho speaker) as member for Napier was advocating doing away with special Maori representation. on August 6th, 1867, Mr. Donald McLean, member for Napier, introduced a Rill and successfully carried it through Parliament, granting for tho first tinio that privilogo to tlio Maori race. When important Maori questions were brought down in Parliament they were considered by empty benches, showing an entire lack of interest on the part of pakcha members as a body in native questions. If tho Maori were put on the same political footing as the pakcha, they might have Maoris representing pakehas. (Applause.) Mr. Herries, M.P., said that tho Maori liad always been recognised by the workers as a whito man as against the Dutchman- and- the Dago. (Laughter.) Ho did not believe the Maori would lose liis nationality by the granting of equal political privileges. He thought they should mingle with tho uakoha as ono peoplo, and he looked forward to tho day when the future New Zealander would boast both Anglo-Saxon and Maori blood in his veins. The process had already begun, for there were six thousand half-castes in New Zealand.

Mr. Ngata, M.P., suggested that equal political rights should bo deferred until tlio Maoris were a little more ready, for them. There were many Maoris who were not prepared for assimilation. Could Messrs Herries and Fraser give assurance, if there woro general representation, that Maori questions would not Buffer? The pakehas would not stand the possible blocking of a constituency by a big Maori vote. Ho thought tho Maoris would be swamped if there was ono representation of Maori and pakeha alike in the House. Mr. Hone Heke, M.P., referred to the persistent ignoring secured to them under the treaty of Waitangi. He knew that many individual pakelias were favorable to the Maori, but, broadly speaking, it liad been shown over and over again that the Maori had always the disadvantage when it came to the franchise question. Hon. Jas. Carroll. Native Minister, said that the time had arrived when special representation should be done away with and the franchise liberalised and amplified. While clinging to their old associations and traditions, yet they must not forget that, they had responsibilities and y/hab was due to succeeding generations. Let them name a day when they considered the time was ripe, when theywould' have no special representation, but a broadening of the franchise by placing both Maoris and pakehas on the same roll. When they said that, he would be very glad to give effect to it. t