ADDRESS TO WAIKATO NATIVE ELECTORATE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1670, 27 June 1879, Page 3

ADDRESS TO WAIKATO NATIVE ELECTORATE.

CAMBRIDGE, June 2G. Wi Mahi Te Rangikaheke, convened a meeting last night at the public hall. He is a candidate for the vacant seat for the Eastern Maori electoral district. Marsh is a leading Arawa chief, and gave an outrageous exposition of his views respecting half-castes, whom ho pronounced bastards, and charged them with mischievous interference in connection with land selling. He would bring the subject of half-castes before Parliament. Marsh shocked the feelings of Europeans present by his Scriptural allusions. Several Europeans left the hall disgusted. Marsh said he saw nothing in Scripture to warrant the condemnation of illegitimate children, but, as European law condemned such, the European fathers of half-castes, who understood the law in relation to marriage, ought to know bettor, and should not take Maori women as they did and trample upon the law of marriage. With respect to land 'purchases, Marsh condemned both the Government and the private purchasers, who were creating so much confusion. The private purchasers tried to undermine the Government, and the Government to got land too cheap. The Government should fix a uniform price. Marsh said he would give the remainder of hia thoughts before Parliament, and the meeting closed with a decided antipathy to the candidate. A half-caste was interpreter at the meeting, so that Europeans could know what was said.