WEAKNESS OF THE MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 122, 24 May 1911, Page 5

WEAKNESS OF THE MAORI.

DANGERS OF TRANSPLANTING. UNFITTED FOR CITY LIFE. An interesting feature of Maori characteristics was discussed at the Auckland Supreme Court this morning in connection with the sentencing of two young prisoners, Charles Kiwi Wilkinson, a half-caste Maori, and William Boyd, on charges of forging and uttering and conspiring to obtain money by fraud. Mr. Earl appeared for Wilkinson, and Mr. Lundon for Boyd.

Mr. Earl submitted as mitigating circumstances that Wilkinson, who was only 18 years of age, was a half-caste by birth, but wholly a Maori in up-bringing and education, having been living as a European for some two years past. He was the son of a gentleman who held an honourable position in the Civil Service, and who up to the time of his death a few years ago, was one of the oldest members of the Government service. This gentleman formed an alliance with a Maori woman of rank, and did his best to give the prisoner a good education, so that ultimately he would be translated into a European. At school the boy showed promise, and on the death of the father the two guardians appointed decided to proceed with his education. For two years he received 'tuition in a commercial college at Auckland and then secured a position with the Bank of Isew Zealand. Mr. Earl drew attention to the great disadvantages under which the boy laboured in being translated to a position for which the traditions of his race unfitted him. It was a lamentable thing that the boy committed the offence within a few months of his employment, but it showed that when a Maori was. suddenly taken away from Maoridom he was under disadvantages in withstanding 'the stress and temptations of city life. As a rule the Maori was given to "show," and to personal conceit and vanity, and that was' the prisoner's weakness. He was not addicted 'to gambling, drinking or evil living, and the hereditary weakness of the race had led the boy into his present trouble. Counsel stated that Wilkinson had made a full confession, and had it not been for that it was probable a conviction would never have been recorded, and in addition suggested that the boy had been handled by someOne older than himself. "In this case," proceeded Mr. Earl, "an experiment was made by the father to make this boy a pakeha, and it was carried on by two of the father's best friends, but it had lamentably failed; and it was a matter for consideration whether it was a proper thing to transplant from Maori customs a youth of this class to a position in a bank among associates who were from rich families, with good clothes, all going to amusements and recreations." Counsel mentioned that the mother had been greatly distressed at the crime, and had gone back to her people in the King Country, and she wanted to take her son back to Maori life with her.

Mr. Lundon pointed out that Boyd was 21 years of age, and suggested that he was made a "tool" of in perpetrating the fraud. No previous charge had been made against the prisoner.

In replying to Mr. Earl's statement relative to the native race, Mr. Tole pointed out that millions of pounds had; been and was being spent on the Maoris who were being uplifted.

His Honor: I agree with Mr. Earl that Maoris are rarely fitted for town life.

Mr. Tole ■ mentioned that Maoris and half-castes were employed in various branches of the public service, and were working admirably and honestly. The condition of the race was being improved.

His Honor: Still for the present generation they are more fitted or country life than .for town l3e.

Mr. Earl pointed out that' he had no intention of reflecting on the race generally. His remarks applied more to the special features of a case like this before the Court, in which a youth was suddenly transplanted from Maoridom to a •position amongst the stress and temptations of city life.

His Honor intimated that he could not grant probation. Prisoner had committed two offences and had shown considerable 3 ability in cunningly plotting and cunningly carrying out on one occasion, two swindles on his employer to gain money for himself and his friends. On the first count prisoner was ordered to be detained for 18 months for reformative treatment, and on the second count ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. •?-.".

His Honor said there was not rery much difference betaken the two prisoners, as Boyd had joined In the plot to rpb the Bank of New Zealand. He also was sentenced to 18 months' detention, and his Honor added that ha would communicate the special circumstances of both 'eases to the President of the Prisoners' Board.