REV. MR GITTOS AND MAORI CIVILISATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1899, Page 2

REV. MR GITTOS AND MAORI CIVILISATION.

During his visit to Karakaaui fchft_ Key. Mr Gittos was asked his opinion upon the present state of civilisation, among the Maoris. From his .long service among- the Maoris and his thorough knowledge of their life and character he ia,specially qualified to give an opinion. He states that the condition of the ha* not im- , proved; they ure in a more deplorable state now than they were at the advent of the Europeans. Cultivfttibn has not extended. They are pitting more and more dependence tipon kauri1 gum, are g-fetting- into debt to tlie. stores, and are to a great iestent neglecting tte growing of necessary food-plants. All these thitigi sre~*x«; erting & bad moral influence upon them. Another gi-eat disttobiflig' element •««& both 6ld and young i* To- . hungaism, says Mr Qittbs, is " becoming1 more and more apparent. It is ftitxprising with what dread and apprehension the nativts lo&k up6nr these Witch-doctors. TM t&t, fi'fetttleman is doing hifi utmost to raise the people above their superstitions-, but itis yerjy difficult to eradicate what, is ingrained in the b6ne. He is «l6kißg: special -efforts to get young men- to enter the Three Kingfe College in -th*. - hope of raising the tone of Maori. s6eiety; ' ' . |^g