THE MAORI PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3092, 10 May 1892, Page 2

THE MAORI PARLIAMENT.

In our last issue we gave an outline of tlie " platform " of the Maori Parliament now meeting in solemn conclave at Maungakawa. It was to all intents and purposes as anti-European as it was possible to make it—not sell land, pay no taxes (especially dog tax), make their own laws, and oppose the Pakeha at every point, and in fact ignore him. We aro afraid our dusky brethren are rather inconsistent in their mode of carrying out their "platform," for if there is any truth in the old adage that " imitation is the sincerest form of fl'ittery," they have certainly paid the Pakeha a very high compliment. During this session everything is to be done en rb'gle, and on similar linfis to those adopted in our own House, of Representatives at Wellington. We have already recorded that a " Bellamys" has been established at Maungakawa, and now they are going to run a " Hansard," so that their grandiloquent oration- , , may be handed down to prosterity. They have purchased it large lever printing press from Mr J. S. Bond,

of Cambridge, with the necessary type, iSc, and tins week it will be erected, and the publication of the speeches will begin. For the pia.it the.y have paid £123, and doubtless Mr Bund has made a good bargain, for the press and type above referred to were seldom used, and the loss of it will not in any way incommode his printing operations. As the type is in the ordinary Enerlish case, the Mauris will find that they have an abundance of letters they will not require, but they will soon U3O up the stock of ks.