THE MAORI RACE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17451, 11 May 1922, Page 5

THE MAORI RACE.

There are various matters of which New Zealand, as a community, has good reason to be proud (says the "BritishAustralasian"), but one which honourably distinguishes it from most other white communities who have a native race in their midst is the harmonious ;and satisfactory relations that it has established with its feilow-citizens. in the early days of the colony the Maoris fought the settlers with chivalry and distinguished courage, and large armies of regulars and volunteers were required for their subjection. Peace, however was arrived at on just terms, and there is practically no colour prejudice in New Zealand. Maoris are found in the professions and as members of Parliament. ■New Zealand accords to them peculiar rights in adihittmg them to the Commonwealth on equal, terms with Europeans, and, best of all, the race is not dying out, but is increasing. A telegram from Nejv Zealand this week quotes figures showing that the birthrate among the Maoris is rising and this seems to give assurance of a fact hitherto doubted. The census figures for some time had indicated an addi tion to the number of the Maori p ODU I I lation, but so strong is the belief that native races always die off before the wnite intruders, that many people hp- ' lieved the increase to be only apparent and to arise from a more careful mm' of , Btatistica - Now it is shoTn ! that the figures are real. It may uhoped that the increase of the native* will continue, and that in genentin™ 1