THE ATTITUDE OF NATIVE MEMBERS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8932, 24 October 1894, Page 5

THE ATTITUDE OF NATIVE MEMBERS.

The growing attitude of hostility of the Native members towards . the Government has been a noticeable feature of the session, and to-day culminated in a very spirited attack by young Hone Heke upon the Premier, which, it is not too much to say, has been long provoked by the arrogance of Mr Seddon towards a young chief who beside the inherited courage of a noble Native ancestry is graced with ail the advantages of education as well as the manners of an English gentleman. The occasion was the second reading of the Horowhenua Native Land Bill. Speaking to the question Hone Heke was subjected to many interruptions by the Premier, until at last the young Native turned upon his tormenter. It was the custom of the Premier to constantly interrupt him and it Was not an uncommon thing of late to have threats conveyed to him that be would be puuished for his opposition'to Government measures, but he desired to say that even the threat of a Minister of the Crown to abolish Native representation wquld not stay his intention to speak upon any Bill before the House. The ancestor of this youth out down tbe British flag in the Bay ot Islands in the long ago, aud the Hone Heke of to-day thus beards the Premier on the floor of Parliament, a curious repetition under marvellously differing conditions.