THE FUTURE OF THE MAORI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 27 March 1907, Page 2

THE FUTURE OF THE MAORI

WEIGHTY WORDS 01' Sill ROBERT STOUT. 11l addressing the Maoris at the opening of the Native Lands Commission on Friday, Sir Robert Stout said: The earnest desire is that tile natives should utilise the lands they possess, if they have land which they cannot utilise they can deal with it by leasing it lo Europeans, or they may lease it to other •Maoris, if they iiavc any land for sale, no doubt the land can he sold. As to what should be done with the money, we think, from what we have heard up to the present, that the Maoris should see that their money is not dissipated or lust. Unfortunately, from what we have heard, many Maoris get money, and in a year it is all gone, and not only is the money gone, lmt it lias been used in a way that has injured tlicr.i selves and their children. 'They have wasted it in drink, and the result is I hat they injured their health and thatof their children. I want to impress especially on the younger Maoiis that their race is in a critical state. Tli-; question is, do tliev want their race to live, or do llicy want it to happen that in a few years there will be no Maoris in New Zealand? The race is not increasing, and the Maoris are not doing as their fathers did. They have copied many of the kid habits of the Europeans Now, do the young people want to save their race'; I want to impress upon them that there is a real danger. We have seen in the neighboring island of Tasmania all the natives disappear. This will happen to the Maori race if they do not take to fanning and determine to become hard-working people. No race in the world ever lives that does not take to the laud. We want to see if we cannot get you to take farmsup for yourselves, ami allot the land so that you can get suitable farms and so that you can work. If you don't work the farms you will not be allowed to keep tlieni. You must use your la id properly. Other Maoris are doing it in other parts of New Zealand. 1 was surprised to see how well sonic of the Maoris at Moliaka are managing their land. They ire the main supplier* lo the milk factories. A lot of people drew during the last six months ;C2OO for their milk. They have got cows, Wve fenced in their hind, ind are an industrious people. Why should you be behind them? We want to hear your views ahout your land. We hope your children will be trained to understand fanning, and that the Ooverninent will send instructors amongst you to see, I lmt you become good farmers.