NAPIER NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5, 7 January 1895, Page 3

NAPIER NOTES.

BIG MAORI MEETING.

NATIVE WOMEN WANT TO RULE,

(BY IELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

Napieb, this day. The Hawke's Bay branch of the New Zealand Medical Association held their annual dinner on Friday night. The function was a most successful one, being attended by medical men from all parts of the districb.

Welcome rain has fallen during the last few days.

A greab Maori meebing is now proceeding ab Te Aube, serving the two-fold purpose of mourning over the departed Chief Hone Nea Nea, and discussing matters of interest to the Maori race. Amongst the questions broughb np was thab of equal rights for women, several of whom spoke, pointing oub bhab for years bhe work done by bheir husbands had been no good, and tho women musb do somebhing. Under bhe Treaty of Waibangi all were to be served alike, bub they had not been so served. Their men had been following up the root of the grape vine, and did nob know what fruit ib would bring forth, while tho men had done nothing for themselves, and bhe roob had passed inbo hands of Europeans, They were going down every day, losing their lands and their mana. All thab could be done was to try and form some rules and regulations by which they mighb bo protected, bub ib would depend upon their strength and whab they took in hand. Hone Heke and Wi Pere, M.H.R.'a, are expected to address the meeting. A Commibbee is to be formed bo control all matters relating to the sale or disposal of land belonging to native women, bub as far as possible to withdraw all land from sale.