THE YOUNG MAORI PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8386, 21 March 1907, Page 7

THE YOUNG MAORI PARTY.

The Hawera Star reports that during his recent visit to the West Coast the Native Minister, the Hon. Jas. Carroll, addressed a large meeting of natives. A member of the Young Maori Party named Ngaruru said he wished, to disclose the aspirations'of his party. They were turning their minds in the direction of getting land to use it for themselves. They had a strong desire for farming, especially dairy farming. They had but little land left, but still the best use could be, and should be, made of that. They required assistance from the Government, financial and educational, so as to enable them to secure the very best results. As to finance, there need not be any fear on the part of the Government on account of the question of security.or .safety in lending money; for the, land, was practically in the hands of the Government, and was only set apart for the natives use and occupation. The Government had full security, and also had the means of ascertaining the character and stability of those requiring help. Then there -was the matter of education. He hoped means would be found for enabling the natives to participate in technical education—that was an important matter for the proper education of the Maori people. They felt that in these matters they had now reached the parting of the ways. They had clung in years past to their old people out of respect and deference for them, but they must declare that the present time was one, so far as they were concerned, for taking anew departure. Therefore, they earnestly urged on the Government to aid xhem in the matters he had referred to. In reply, Mr Carroll said the Maori must first cure himself, build up his character, conquer the weaknesses which too often beset him, practise self-denial, and then, when,he was placed on land to use for his own benefit and that of his family, when he was assisted financially and otherwise by the Government, he would be rewarded by his improved condition and the general betterment of the race which must follow.