Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1910. HENARE KAIHAU.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10159, 1 December 1910, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1910. HENARE KAIHAU.

Can it really be that Henare Kai- ' luiu, an aboriginal native, is to be offered upon the altar of public opinion, simply to vindicate the reputation of Parliament for a purity which does not exist? Henare Kailiau may have grievously sinned against the proprieties. He may have done many .things which he ought not to have done. But is his political crime in doing these things, or in making an open confession and being found out? Does any person really suppose that this well-mean-ing and benevolent Native, who accepted payment for performing Parliamentary duties, has done more than hosts of his European colleagues have done? Is it possible that there are seventy-six European members ; of the House who have never trans--1 grossed in a small degree ? Let those who are without political sin cast the first stone. If this aboriginal native is to be censured by the House and forced out of politics for performing acts which he has reason to believe are constantly being performed by the pakeha politician, a manifest injustice will be perpetrated. The object of Mr Hine in drawing attention to flagrant acts of political impropriety was not to rid Parliament of a Native reprcsenta« tive. It was l.j expose a system' which has insidiously crept into public life and which is inimical to good and honest government. Tho object of >fr Huh* hrr.n aiinhieJ. Tho ,

rest may safely be left to the constituencies. No punitive or whitewashing measures are necessary to propitiate the public conscience. lhat conscience has been aroused, unci those who have winked at, aiul are continuing to wink at gross improprieties will have to take consequences. Meanwhile, Parliament might just as well dissolve and go home.