Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1872. THE MORAL CONDITION OF THE NATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1427, 13 September 1872, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1872. THE MORAL CONDITION OF THE NATIVES.

Not the least interesting of the Parliamentary Papers to hand is the one containing the reports from the officers in native districts regarding the general state of native feeling, the moral and physical condition of the Maoris, their attention to or neglect of agriculture, and the progress of public works undertaken by them. The information is furnished in accordance with annual custom, and fills a Parliamentary return of twentj-four pages. There are in all thirteen reports—some long and elaborate; others remarkable only for their bi'evity. Many of the ideas and suggestions contained therein would find little favor with the public generally, and considerable diversity of opinion on important subjects is manifest; but the great points to which we would now direct attention, and which cannot fail to strike every reader of the document, are the close connection existing between native drunkenness and native immorality, and the fact that the drunkenness is in direct proportion to the facilities for obtaining liquor. Of this latter fact the natives are well aware; in some districts they have adopted a system of local prohibition with great success, and where it has failed the fault has lain with those interested in the liquor traffic. In one district only, it would appear, have the natives themselves sought to increase the facilities for obtaining drink, and

there, according to the published report, the assessors themselves, who originated the agitation, were deriving illicit gains from the demoralization of their own countrymen. The removal of such men from their office would have a salutary effect.

"We give below al! the passages in the various reports bearing upon the moral condition of the natives. The lesson they convey is not to be taken.

Spencer Von Sturmer, Resident Magistrate, Hokianga, reports, under date 27th June :

" As regards intemperance, which at one time threated the ruin of the whole Native population, and which is still the greatest evil which exists among them, it is pleasing to be able to state from statistical returns, that the quantity of spirituous liquors consumed in this district during the present year is equal to only one-half of the quantity consumed dining the same period in 1870, and is less by one sixth than that consumed during the same period in 1871; and this, too, in the face of a largely inoreased European population. There is a rapidly increasing desire amongst the people for the establishment of schools in their midst, for the education of their young men and children in the English language, as they begin to see that without *uch know ledge they will hold but a poor position in the future of the Colony."

E. M. Williams, Resident Magistrate, Waimate, Bay of Islands, under date 25th June, writes :•—<■

"I can testify to an improvement in the moral condition of the Natives, not perhaps, to the extent which may have been anticipated, but yet in advance of their former condition. More respect and decorum is manifested in their general demeanor, more attention paid to the usages of civilised life; a greater regard shown for decisions given in the Courts of J ustice. Wooden cottages in place of rawpo are increasing in number in their villages; their lands are enclosed in a more substantial manner, and greater care is bestOMed upon their stock. . . . The greatest evil prevalent amongst them, and a cause of much regret with their European friends is the extent to which many of them give way to habits of intoxication. This, however, is not to be considered universal. In some of their villages the introduction of spirits has been entirely prohibited, and cases may be quoted of notorious drunkards having become re foimed characters; others also are endeavoring to break off their habits of intemperance, and if the temptation could be kept from them there would be hopes of still further reformation. But these hopes are frustrated, and the energies of their friends paralysed by die efforts which at the present time are being made to inundate the district with spirits. Large quantities of Auckland distilled spirits are being carted into the interior and not. only sold wholesale by the Europeans, but distributed over the gum diggiugs, and there retailed by Moori vendors employed for the purpose. The result is obvious. These spirits being brought to their very doors and sold at a much cheaper rate than the foreign article, the temptation becomes too great for resistance; the Maori falls an easy victim, and the European drives a lucrative trade. But the extent of this evil has yet to manifest itself; with a scarcity of provisions consequent upon the general indifference, and in some instances total failure of their crops, and the winter before them, these natives in selling their gum for spirits are parting with that which would procure them the food and clothing they so much require. Many J fear will in consequence be driven to extremities, and sickness and death will be the result."

Major W. G. Mair, Official Correspondent, Alexandra, Wtukato, under date 2nd July, writes ;■—

"The moral status of the Waikato tribes, so far as the Kupapa are concerned, is, I think, on a par with the other tubes in the JJaith Island. Among the Kingitef, Hauhaufcm has brougbt about great 'laxity, and the

absence of anything like law or order has had a very demoralising; effect upon the young men. The thirst for strong drink is growing upon the Waikato natives. Among the Kupapa—STgatihaua are very dissipated, while the craving for spirits manifested by the Kingites is something very serious; were they placed in a position to obtain it in quantities, T believe they would indulge to an alarming extent.' 1 H. W. Brabant, Resident Magistrate, Opotiki, Bay of Plenty, writes, under date 24th June ;

" Hauhauism appears to be dying out, and I think the natives are now recovering from the license and immoral habits engendeied by it, and in a great measure have returned to their former customs and ideas. Christian baptism is now sought for their children by those who only a few years or months ago professed Hauhauism, and Christian worship is now the custom at many settlements. No crimes of any importance, which cauld be traced to the native race, have been reported to me. I regret to have to state, however, that drunkenness is veiy prevalent amongst them, the chiefs in some cases being lamentably addicted to it. There is also just now a great wish to establish amongst themselves licensed houses for the sale of fermented and spirituous liquors." J. H. Campbell, Resident Magistrate, Waiapu, writing on the 30th June, reports :

" The < Sale of Spirits in Outlying Districts Act' is not working as could be desired. Formerly I succeeded in restricting the number of licenses to live between Poverty Bay and Hick's Bay. .During the past year, there have been many applications numerously signed, and backed by the assessors, three of whom were themselves applicants. Last year I made the attempt to reduce the original number of five by one, but I was met by a perfect storm of remonstrance, and a petition was presented, signed by neaily two hundred, against it. A short time ago I begged the Reverend Raniera Kawhia to give me his assistance in cheeking as much as possible the habit of drinking spirits on all occasions. He replied that he did not see how he could; that on the occasion of his wife's death, and the consequent * tangi,' he was obliged to supply a quantity of spirits, otherwise he should have had no guests. At the very time that the Bishop of W-ai apu stated in a letter to the Hon. the Native Minister that he was very sure that Morgan would set his lace against the system of licensing the sale of Morgan's own application for a license was lying in my house. J allude to tins subject because it has been attempted to ca«t a reflection upon the Resident Magistrate for encouraging the system, whereas it has been quite the contrary." R. Parris, Civil Commissioner, New Plymouth, under date 6th July, thus writes :

"In reference to the moral condition of the natives* of this district under iny charge, I can only report that there is no sign of any progress towards more civilised modes of life, and this, taken in conned ion with the weakening of such restraints as were formerly imposed by tribal influence, can leave little room for hope that their moral condition is in any way improving. With the exception of some small efforts made by a few natives in this district, north of the town, nothing is being done in this district towards the education of native children, partly owing to their real poverty, and partly to their want of interest in the matter."

R. W. Woon, Resident Magistrate, Upper Wanganui, reports, under date 16tb July :—-

" As to the moral condition of the natives I cannot speak favorably, the tone of morals existing amongst them being of that order known to be com mon among semi-civilised nations, and their religions sentiments are generally of a somewhat heterodox nature, combining the principles of Christianity with the rites and ceremonies of hfathcnismj as evinced in ike Hau-

hau mode of worship j in feet, th«natives have sadly retrograded in a religious point of view, having for thft most part ceased to observe the Christian Sabbath, and allowed theirchurches to fall into ruin and decay. Notwithstanding all this, there are signs of a desire on their part to tetter themselves in this respect, and* again conform to the system of religion i . as taught them by the missionaries, and* are anxious that they should again, beregularly visited by a clergyman, therebein« no minister resident in their midst."

Alexander Mackay, Commissioner of* Native Reserves, Nelson, in a long and excellent report on the condition of thenatives in the Provinces of Nelson ancL Marlborough and the County of Westland, dated 18tb July, says : " The moral condition of the peoplemay be considered exceedingly good;; convictions for criminal ouences arevery rare; in most instances the natives, are well housed and clothed and enjoy a good condition of health. There is a> marked absence of the vice of intemperance as compared with former years;, this is chiefly to be attributed to a movement that originated amongst themselves a year or so ago, introduced by a few of the better disposed to check the evil effects of drunkenness that then* prevailed amongst them."

There is one obviou.% moral to bo* drawn from this united testimony. Tlie laws prohibiting the sale of liquorto natives should be firmly enforced,, and every attempt on their part to put. down the evil should be supported and encouraged. " Permissive prohibition " has long been urgently demanded by all the better class of tlie natives, and* unless it is granted, and the sale o£ liquor to them peremptorily checked,, all efforts to avert the demoralization, and destruction of the remnant of the Maori people will be found utterly futile.