THE MAORIS' RIGHTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81859, 6 October 1906, Page 3

THE MAORIS' RIGHTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Your Warea correspondent says in his notes of the 3rd inst. that the local Maoris have each received a quantity of vegetable seeds of a'l desciiqtions frojn the Government, a Jiit Of which the Maoris will' never plant. He winds up by saying that a Maori should be made to work for his seed just the same as the white man; or else starve. 1 presume that your correspondent is what is commonly known as a "new chum,'' or is ignorant of the cause of the Maoris' indolence. I say, in response to his unfeeling remarks: First return to the native' their lands; secondly, allow them equal rights with the pakeba; thirdly., let them know that they are as one people with their European brethren. Then, and not ti'l then, will they be able to keep on equal terms with such as your correspondent. .1 would beg to inform your correspondent and others who may be of his mind, that not one penny of his money has been spent in.pxirch'asirig this said seeds. The money is the Maoris' own; therefore it is no business of anyone's but the Government's, in whose hands the matter lies. TVy administer the Maori lands, and do what they choose with the proceeds. If your corresponpondent feels aggrieved, let him stand before the constituents at next election against the "little man."—l am. «tc, NA AWANUIAKANGI.