Another Petition.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3757, 12 January 1881, Page 3

Another Petition.

Tbe fallowing draft petition bas been forwarded ns by a correspondent, who trusts that some gentleman who bas tbe interest of the abor ginal natives at heart will, in the cause of humanity, obtain signatures to tbe document, and forward it to His Excellency Sir A. H. Gordon :— We, the undersigned loyal subjects of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, resident ia the Colony of New Zealand, do humbly pray that effect be given to this our prayer— 1. That, considering the unfairness of tho ' criminal law. in dealing with native criminal , and the disadvantages they labour unclei' through being amenable to the same laws ns Europeans, we would respectfully beg Your Excellency to proclaim that Maori criminals be exempt "frost; toe English law, and tbat ■ thpy.be allowed'tKe unmolested privilege of pluhderingj ; murdering, and committing other criminal aet^-. '* . , 2. That it is with regret your petitioner* |

recognise the great supremacy of mind and body possessed bj the natives of these islands OTer themselrfs, and' trust that, they be allowed to, frame a code of Jaws which shall bd for the rule a: d guidance of tha European population. S. That, considering the infinitely greater value of the Maori, a reward ehould be paid to cny native laying the head of a European before Tour Excellency. 4. That, in consequence qf bhe much more "■""satisfactory system of agricullura ia vogue y emong the natives, we would suggest that all cultivated areas Bboull bo, handed back to their original owners, as they can so much bet hr put the ground in a state of cultivation than-Europeans. . 6 That, seeing with regret the uncomfortabb domiciles tenanted by the 'Maoris, wo would respectfully opine that the Minister of Public Work 3bo insirucfed to float n new loan of £5,000,000 for the purpoee of better 1 ousing them. , 6. That, in caae any nitire Bhould objestto a European constructing a road through hU .property, and should forbid the sp-ne, evpn though fair cash compen..?»'on wee offered, he Bhould to considered a benefactor to fie colony at large, and should receive a substantial pension. 7. That, r.» To Whiti hsM done so much st-rvice to the folony by n)e:.BF of b;s prophecies, wo wosld request that the i 33ni''ed sayings of this second Elijah ehould be collected, printed and bound in Morocco, and that every colonist in Australasia and Polynesia should be compiled by Act of the Genevnl Assembly to buy. one (cosi bal_"-a-guinea) or render themselves liable to outlawry for refusing tD do so. 8. That your petitioseva view wfrh pleiiure the re;peot felt for Ta Whiii by Your Erceltenby, and trust that Your Ej^ellency w<?l take up your permanent rasidencj at Parihaka, where you w^l be in a position to bet ;r at' jnd en the noble Prophet). 9. That Your Excellency should use eve-y ent'ezvou™ 'n your power to resist the Mao-is in'i'i idejlng themselves obif ruel ito to Eri'sh interests, and that you should be allowed an extra £7,C00 ayeir to unihtr enable you to promo'e the obstructive tendencies of tbe natives. 10. That, viewing'with alarm the b! ate of the Mnri in rpga'3 to clothing, we would respectfully throw out a suggestion that now ' tbe weather is warm, an unMmifed supply of blanket"), flinnele, and warjj pea ji»l <>ts bp provided for the men, and sealskin jfekets for the women.

11. We would, in condusioa, remind. your Excellency of tbe great love we b?ar, in company with respect, for your Excellency, and trutt that this, our petition, will find favour in tbe eyes of- your Excellency, and that your Excellency will oauie copies of this, our petition, to be printed and cireolaf 3d not only among the Maoris, but ateo among tbe other coloured rzoes of the South Pacific.

12. And your petitioners w?'l ever pray, etc.