A MAORI COMPLAINT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11955, 6 August 1904, Page 8

A MAORI COMPLAINT.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF NATWE LANDS.

(SRCIiI. TO "THI MUESi.") WELLINGTON, Augoet 5. Mr Henare Kaihau made » vehement speech to-night in support of the claim of the Maori* to the earne rigwt» a* Europeans. . He condemned the (Maori Land Council* Act, and declared that the Act had been ineffectual, not a tingle block of land of any coneeqwence having been handed to the Council. The .time had arrived when the Maoris ehould be given the. nune power* and privilege* a* *r« given to th» European population of the country. The Maori Land Councils Act and it* aaaeodmenta should at once be abolished. ' He pledged ,himeelf to give hie support to any measure to give the Maori population th* right to administer their own affaiib to the beet. He intended to take up ( the position of leader of the Maori people j be expected petition* signed by at lea*t Maori people to be presented to the Houxe, forihe Maori* of the North'ldibd m one man demanded* that their landi *hoeld be handed beck to them "absolutely. He implored the House to ceeee humbugging the Maoris, and,let them t prore their capacity to administer their own land. : If f H)* House did not grant the requeet he cooUl promise that' the Maoris "#6uld not put *i single block of land into the hands of.ttie Council. It wa* unjoet to impose tat** on Maori lands while the Waorii could neither tell nor lease those land*.