King Country Chronicle Saturday, May 6, 1911. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 358, 6 May 1911, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, May 6, 1911. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The news that Dr Pom are is about to resign his position in the Native Health Department in order to contest the Western Maori seat against Mr Kaihau, will be received with mixed feelings by members of the Maori race, and by a sense of relief by Pakehas. If our Native friends are to progress mentally, hygienically, and physically, it is only by adopting as their representative in Parliament a man with progressive views, and a strong sense of what should be done to make the race sound again. The unfortunate trend of things in the past has been in the direction of living on past glories. King Mahuta's influence has not been a progressive one. He and Mr Kaihau, i have encouraged the growth of what for lack of a better word, may be called a"Mahuta" policy—a policy of harking back to old customs, instead of welcoming the coming of modern methods. We know the Maori can farm, and is capable, under sympathetic guidance, of reaching a much higher hygienic and mental level than he has, as a whole, shown so far. It Dr Pomare, with his well-known sympathy for modern methods of cleanliness is able to raise up native ideals, he will deserve well of the people he wishes to represent.