THE MAORI CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 283, 26 November 1908, Page 3

THE MAORI CONGRESS.

AN INTERESTING REPORT. In his annual report on the Wesley College, Three Kings, the Rev. J. G. SLrnmonds refers at some length to the recent Native Congress. He says:— "The great event of the year for the Maori people was the Congress held iji Wellington in July. To this unique gathering there came delegates from the length and breadth of the Dominion. The old Maori rangatira, still bearing the marks and symbols of what to them is a. great and glorious past —their sons, polished and accurate in English speech and manners—Maori ladies who could fake their place in any drawing-room — the Native clergy; and with these Maori delegates a strong band of their devoted European friends and helpers—missionaries, heads of colleges and schools; Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Methodists —these were the people who met in the Empire City to debate the problems that touch the destiny of the Maori. His Excellency the Governor gave his patronage. Several members of the Ministry delivered speeches. Sir Robert Stout was president.

•The spirit of the Congress was deeply Christian. No altar was ere. ted to secularism. There were soo many men and women there who knew the story of the past, and the inmost meaning , of all true hope for the future, to permit of any trust in the mere unaided help of man. The young Maori party were in the forefront of everything. It would be no exaggeration to say that their efforts were brilliant. Mr. A. T. Ngata, LL.B., M.P., I>rs. Pomare and Buck, the Revs. Bennett, Haddon, and Hohere spoke both in English and Maori with a polished accuracy, a force, and a pathos that deeply moved their auditors. The public meetings and functions were largely attended, the newspapers gave full reports, and all Wellington was sympathetic. '•Two-thirds of the delegates belonged to the Anglican Church; but we of the other communions were throughout treated as brethren and comrades in a common work. The Rev. \V. Gittos, aa the veteran missionary, was repeatedly

given the place of honour. "The Congress sould not legislate; but on the vital questions of land tenure, education, sanitation, and industry, and on the lese practical one of Polynesian ethnology and language it voiced the hopes and longings of the best and wisest of the Maoris, and of the best and wisest of their European friends. It marked a great advance in Maori thought and sentiment. Twenty years ago these people were disinclined to work and unwilling to send their children to schools where industrial training was part of the curriculum. At this Congress the opinion was often avowed and never challenged that the Maori can and must work. Such an avowal and admission at such a Congress amounted to a declaration of wa , ! against sloth and inaction. The meaning of it all for the secondary Native schools, and especially for those that have always insisted tipon industrial training as essential to the uplifting and redemption of this people, v.as unmistakable. Our Commission is renewed, and we are charged afresh to make these schools centres of genial and happy instruction whence shall ever go forth new recruits for the army of reform and hope."