A MAORI ORATOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 23 November 1907, Page 3

A MAORI ORATOR.

In the House of Representatives on Tuesday night Henare Kaihau, the giant member for the Western Maori district, made a great speech on the motion for the second reading of the Maori Land Bill. He is the one Maori member who cannot speak English, so he avails himself of the services ot the interpreter. The modulations of Henare Kaihau’s voice, and his wonderfully expressive gesticulation, compel attention, while the effectiveness of his oratory seems to lose little, if anything, because his meaning comes to English ears through the interpreter. On Tuesday Mr Kaihau was in his best form, and, as the ladies’ gallery and all the other galleries were packed, and the House itself was unusually full, he had a good audience. His denunciation of the bill was emphatic, and his renunciation of the Government and all its works in respect to the Maori equally so. “I,” he said, suddenly stretching forth his great arms, “ have always supported the Government. I have supported them for many years, but look at me now. I have been thrown away where I will never be seen by anyone.” The idea of the burly Kaihau being “thrown” away and of his being “ invisible ” was too much for members, and they laughed loudly, but Kaihau was not disconcerted. Letting his voice sink to a quiet silvery tone he sail :—“ I remember one occasion. on which there was a very close division in this House, and the Government won by one vote. That was my vote. (Laughter). But now they say, ‘ what’s the use of your vote ?’ But I tell you, I was not returned to this House by you, the Government. It was my people who put me here. But I have assisted you and kept you in those seats. (Laughter). Now, I warn you that the day is coming when you will sink into insignificance. (Laughter). No man can stand in one position for ever, and you are not going to do that.” Finally Mr Kaihau warned the Government that they could no longer rely upon his support. His half-hour’s limit having been reached, he pleaded with Mr Speaker for another half-hour. ‘ ‘ I have an immense amount of material which I am bursting to lay before this house,” he said dramatically, holding up “five pages of condensed notes,” and the house laughed again. “ Now, Mr Speaker, are you going to stop me, or let me go on ?” he asked pleadingly, and theie being a chorus of “ Ayes ” and no dissenting voices, the Speaker gave the necessary permission, whereat there was a hearty round of applause. The Maori then gracefully thanked Mr Speaker and the House, and plunged once more into a denunication of the proposed legislation. If it were agreed to, the House would be so full of Maori petitions that members would not be able to get into it, and he and his people would take the matter to England and place it before the King. He concluded an impassioned speech by moving that the bill be read a second time next year, in order that it might be properly considered by the Maori people. This admeudment was lost on the voices.