THE OTAKI LIBRARY.

Otaki Mail, 17 July 1922, Page 3

THE OTAKI LIBRARY.

To the Editor. Sir, —I am much surprised to see the way eur Borough Council has treated library affairs in our town, and consider it a standing disgrace to them. To turn down a paltry £o for a necessary purpose is, in sporting parlance, “over the odds.’'’ To think our Councillors would treat a matter of importance so lightly beats creation, and I think they should reconsider their decision. —I am, etc., 1 RESIDENT.

POLITICS. To the Editor. Sir,—A few days back a meeting was held at the Ranlta-.va by the leading Native chiefs of this district in connection with the proposed candidature of Katana, junior, its n representative in Parliament for the West Coast of the North Island. Some of those present strongly supported the wisdom in choice of Ratana. Many reasons were given why the Natives should do their

best to obi: in the return to the Hun—i of this candidate, and it was even stated ut the meeting that if four able Maori members were put into the House of Parliament and worked together in t-he interest of the Maori race they would bo favourably listened to, and that the Government would probably compensate the Maoris for many thousands of acres of land claimed to he wrongfully acquired. Let me here state that many of the poor Natives believe these wild kind of statements to be facts, and unfortunately there ; was no one present at tho meeting to refnti! such speeches. Well. Sir, I 1 tliiak this unfortunate though it is - little to be wondered at when 1 tell I vou Mir.t I have seen a hymn in praise of Katana, senior, said to have been written by an intelligent Maori member of the House of Representatives. Now the question arises, what will be Ihe consequence if this proposed candidate is opposed and beaten by the presvnt sitting member for the West Coast/ One of the results of this would bo that the Alaoris would .vety soon have no more faith in Katana s methods. This is to be regretted for he "ns doing good among the Maoris. , A! any who had long since ceased to | :il* (livin'- services. returned iiiol^ ■ ■ F•<l humble prayers to Gmb bong j led ti: do so by Katana. T! e latter Ins j never leid claim to being passe-soil of divine power though the daons < :*'dit him with such. As a matter of fact 1 am in possession of a letter wrii-ep lp Ratomr two years ago in wh'-h he ■!• (i> c.tly stales that he had no henli’-'l power or main, The Hon. Dr. I’omare. f„r as the XatH'-* or I know, lius always honorably tried to assist *>"’ j jMn.oris in their grievances with sup- | port and good advice. V : t m< | could they .justly expect/ Dr. Inmate j lu. through his upright niann-r. sc- , cured many supporters, e-el J think '■ pi nimble that lie "ill again be rcium- | rd si* the representative vf 'l"’ 'Dior-TK.-e for the West 'Vast electorate, though it "ill be great but*]--, seeine tbit a. religious sort is being introduced into politics. Aluch remains to I"aiiid on the foregoing mattur. but ! inus.i not trespass further at preniiit.