Native News.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 98, 28 March 1885, Page 2

Native News.

' l , fN. Z. Herald.'] The native meeting at Whatiwiatihoe, winch has just broken up, s«ems to have been as satisfactory to the natives, and as unsatisfactory to everyone who wishes them weß, as most Maori gatherings of recent • years. The subjects of hpw they 'corild improve "themselves m their .habits.. and modes of life, and how they could aid the Government m having every Maori child educated, and kindred matters, were ni|ver mentioned. They canvassed the, late embassy to England, and, intrighes were commenced to get up another " mission." 'A letter was read from Mr Chesson, Secretary of the Aborigines Protection Society, but although lie gives them some items of good advice it;is /mixed up with statements as to the good achieved by drawing out. Lord/ Derby, and the Maonstook no heed of the good, and will eagerly assimilate the bad. In spite of all that can be said the natives will,continue to look to , England. Besides the demands they make m their petition to England for. restitution of lands that have been wrongfully confiscated, they now ask for " local selfgovernment.". , The phrase, has absorlutely no meaning m their month. But they could easily commence the practice of what would be the most useful self-government for them. They might determine that their young people shall be taught that they must work for their living ; that their young Jads shall not be allowed > to lounge about the settlements or/ the nearest public-hoiwes, playing billiards and drinking beerl' They might determine that' their dwellings andkaingas shalFbe ,^ept m a decent state of cleanliness,.', so that the people shall not be carried off by the sebfe 'by lo w .ever! ' ' 'This would' be real local self-government, arid they ' might take possession '.of the boon at once. The Maoris have as sincere friends m this colony as they have m ' England, ißveri 'if? Mr Miss Weale be 'taken as types of the latter. Like :thev;offiWeif referred to m " Pinafore," these English friends of the Maoris " mean well, but they don't T knoyr/' We .k;nofw that fiftymissions, to England will do the Maoris no good, and may^do'them mischief — by distracting their minds from practical reforms and improvements.