The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 27, 1913. EUROPEANISING THE MAORI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1069, 27 February 1913, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 27, 1913. EUROPEANISING THE MAORI.

TIIK first application under Section 17 of the Native Laud Amendment Act of last session came before the Native Land Court in Wellington a few days ago, when Raugi Kerehoma, a wealthy young Hawke’s Bay Native applied for a recommendation to the Governor to declare him a-Euro-pean. The applicant, who is 25 years of age. has a competent knowledge of the English language, and has been a student of the Wanganui College and ot St.

Patrick’s College, Wellington. He is worth some or ,£70,000, of which the Public Trustee holds ,£25,000 under a deed of trust, the beneficiary beingentitled to the income during life. On coming of age the applicant obtained ,£II,OOO, and in reply to questions stated .that he spent ,£3OOO of this in beautifying his place in Hawke’s Bay, and ,£6OOO in acquiring a farm near Mastertou. Judge Gilfedder pointed out that the Maori was not always the equal of the European in transacting business, and safeguards had to be devised to prevent the Native from becoming the dupe of the pakeha. The day had not yet arrived when all disabilities could be removed and protection taken away, and those who had experience in the administration of the Native laws must have been astounded at the readiness of Natives to sign their names to transfers, leases, and other important documents. With the educational advantages afforded in recent years, however, there were to be found many young Maoris who were just as capable of managing their affairs as were Europeans, and the legislature had now made provision lor placing capable and intelligent Natives on the same footing as the Europeans. It behoved the Court to make lull inquiries, and to strictly scrutinise each case, and only recommend the withdrawal of protective safeguards in the case ol wealthy and intelligent young Natives when they could show that they possessed sufficient business acumen and intelligence to enable them to hold their own.