THE MAORI IN POLITICS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 477, 26 June 1912, Page 5

THE MAORI IN POLITICS.

GATHERING AT TE KUITI. SPEECH BY SIR JAMES CARROLL Speaking at the Maori gathering at Te~Kuiti yesterday, Sir James Carroll said the meeting of natives for the purpose of discussing their affairs was commendable. It was also necessary in view of the changes which were constantly taking place, and if the Maoris wished to have their views placed before the authorities v%ith ihc idea of effecting legislation. It altogether impossible to legislate iol permanency and perfection in ail respects. It did not matttr v.-hoc or Government was in power they would find defects, and burdensome isuea cropping up which required amending to suit tns altered conditions from time to time. They might meet, and suggest a number of altera-tions'to-day and in a couple of years' time it would be necessary for thein to alter the suggestions previously made. It was the function of a Government to be constantly amend-

ing the laws to meet changing circutnstance. He recognised, and the Maoiis must recognise, that during the past 20 years they had been evolving the whole time. The same process had commenced with the beginning of tiie universe, and would only end v, iih the end of time. In referring to criticism o. the Maori Land Boards the speaker said the boards had been set up for the benefit of the Maoris, and in view of the necessities of the Dominion. It was not claimed that the establishing of the boards had solved the whole of'the difficulties waich surrounded the native question. He would like to point out, however, that some oE the difficulties were created by the Maoris themselves. Sometimes a Maori would go before the board in connection with a blo'-k of land he was dispusing of to a European and declare that he had arr.pis land besides the block in question, when the only land he possessed was trie piece he was parting with. Subsequently that Maori became one of the landless, and a difficulty to the The speaker suggested that legislation should be introduced whereby the revenue derived from native s scattered interests could be utilised for obtaining a concentrated area which could be worked. Provision should be to finance the land and work it. A body should be constituted, composed of suitable persons, who should investigate and report on existing conditions. That body should also control the finance of the scheme. If the natives were to preserve themselves thev had to exercise initiative and assist the Government.