A MAORI ORATOR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12967, 21 November 1907, Page 8

A MAORI ORATOR.

a KAIHAU DENOUNCES THE MAORI LAND BILL. AND RENOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT. (srrciAL to "ran rassa.") WELLINGTON, November 19. Henare Kaihau, tho giant member for the Western Maori District, is tbe biggest man in tbe New Zealand Parliament. He is considerably over 6ft in height, and weighs more than twenty stone. As a general rule his legislative dntte-s sit lightly upon him, and he prefers the quiet ease of a kaienga in the wilds of the Waikato to the civilisation of the capital and the burly burly of Parliament house. On rare occasions, however, when he rises in the House of Representatives, the easy going, good-natured Henare becomes suddenly transformed into tho impassioned Maori orator, and the Hou-se ami the galleries listen spell bound. To-night he made a great speech on the second reading of the Maori Land Bill. He is the one Maori member who cannot speak in English, 60 .he avails himself of the services of the interpreter —Mr Barclay, who is never at a loss for a word, and who speaks better English than many members of the House. Tlie modulations of Henare Kaihau's voice, and his wonderfully expreseive gesticulation, compel attention, while the effectiveness of his oratory seems to losp little if anything, because its meaning comes to English ears second hand, per mediuqi of the interpreter. To-night Mr Kaihau was in his best form, and as the ladios' gallery and all tho other galleries were packed, and the House itself was unusually full, he had a good audience. His denunciation of the Bill was emphatic, and his renunciation of the Government and all its works in respect to the Maori equally so. "I," he said suddenly, stretching forth his great arms, " have always supported the Government. 1 have supported them for many years, but look at mc now; I have been thrown away where I will never be seen by anyone." The idea of the burly Kaihau being "thrown" away, and of his being "invisible," waa too much for honourable mombersj and they laughed loudly, but Kaihau was not disconcerted. Letting his voice sink to a quiet silvery tone, he said, "I remember one occasion in which there was a very close division in this House, and the Government only won by one vote—that was my vote—(laughter)—but now they say, ' What's the use of your vote?' But I tell you, I was not returned to this House by you, the Government. It was my people who put mc here, but I have .assisted you, and kept you in those seats. (Laughter). Now I warn you that the day is coming when you will sink into insignificance. (Laughter). No man can 6tand in one position for ever, and you are not going to do that." Finally Mr Kaihau warned the Government that they could no longer rely upon his support. ... . His half-hour's limit having been reached, he pleaded with Mr Speaker for another half-hour. "I have an immense amount of material which I am bursting to lay before this House, ho said dramatically, holding up five pages of condensed notes, and the House laughed again. "Now, Mr Speaker, are you going to stop mc, or let mc go on/ he > asked, pleadingly, and thero being a chorus of "ayes," and no dissenting voice, the Speaker gave the necessary* permission, whereat there was a hearty round of applause. Tho Maori member then eracofully thanked Mr Speaker, and the House, and plunged onoe more into a denunciation of the proposed legislation. If it were agreed to, he saidj the House would be so full of Maori petitions that members would not be able to get into it, and he and his Cple would take the matter to Engd, and place it before the King. He concluded an impassioned speech by moving that the Bill be read a second time next year in order that it might be properly considered by the Maori people.