THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1907.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 34, 14 June 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1907.

WHAT THE MAORI WANTS. The list of suggestions submitted by the Maniapoto Natives to the Native Land Commission at Te Kuiti presumably embodied the wishes of the great majority of Maoris within the Rohe Potae. A striking feature

in connection with the proposals is that they are only what the Maoris have been asking for, year in and

year out, for a very long time. The only fresh suggestion appears to be the one dealing with the appointment of capable men for the purpose of instructing the Maoris in modern methods of farming. This request may safely be left to the judgment of those in authority to deal with. Apparently the idea emanated from the Hon. J. Carroll, and has been accepted by those Natives anxious to progress after the manner of the Pakeha. Like other commendable proposals, its success depends greatly upon the

manner in which it is organised, and the men chosen to undertake the

work. Of the ten suggestions contained in the memorial, the only one which was criticised adversely by the Chief Justice, was that which granted emancipation to capable Maoris, and conferred upon them freedom to deal with their own property. The chief reason advanced by the President of the Commission against the proposal was, that the declaring of a Maori to be capable was liable to abuse, and the removal of restrictions would be at the behest of politicians, and others, interested in securing land from the Natives. The Chief Justice, as an experienced politician, no doubt spoke with authority, and knowledge of political methods, and resources. Apparently, however, he overlooked the fact that a former suggestion asked for the appointment of a thoroughly representative board, en- | dowed with power to act for the benefit of the Maoris, apart, altogether, from political influence, and composed of men of integrity, acceptable to both races. Sir Robert Stout has doubtless a wide experience of politics, and a broad knowledge of human nature, but he is- evidently obsessed with the idea that there is a widespread conspiracy among the Europeans to rob the lincapable Maori of his land, and the only way to protect the unsophisticated Native is to shackle the whole race with restric-

sions indefinitely. If the Maoris are to remain in bondage until the last incapable is removed, there does not appear to be much chance of freedom, and the cry of uplifting the Maori will be perennial. The present great want of the Maori is an objective. He has no ambition. There is no goal for him to win ; no standard to live up to; no national aspirations can he hold. World history tells us that the race without ambition, or aspiration, dies. Such a fate seems to be the inevitable destiny of the Maori, unless the objective is provided. To the patriotic White New Zealandcr, his country, and his country's good, mean much, and the taking of a hand in working out its destiny, is an ambition well within the reach of the humblest of its sons. But before he can aspire to such a work he must have freedom. The opportunity to work, and live his life to the fullest and best, and prove himself fit, must be provided. Why not grant equal opportunity to the Maori ? The least that can be offered him is a place in the national life of New Zealand. Equal opportunity and equal responsibility, for the capable Maori, with his European brother, should be tendered freely, and assistance granted unstinted, in the effort to weld the races. The very fact of removing the restrictions from the capable Maori would provide the necessary objective. There are already many fit for emancipation, and those not able to prove themselves capable, would have a goal to aspire to. The spirit of emulation is a feature of the Maori character. What is possible 13 his friend is also attainable by him, or by his children. The clause objected to by the Chief Justice is the keystone of the whole. Let all the other requests be granted, and freedom withheld from those who have earned it, and the Maori will still be in bondage with all a bondsman's irresponsibility and lack of initiative. The watchword of the progressive Maori, and of those anxious for the uplifting of the race should be : Freedom from restrictions in the case of capable Maoris, and the careful safeguarding of the property of incapables. Thus will the objective be supplied, and thus will the oft reiterated cry of injustice to the Maori be silenced.