MAORIS AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 255, 21 July 1908, Page 7

MAORIS AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

4 DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER. • local Option and representation In his billiard room yesterday, after th reception to tho Maori Congress dologates, Si .Joseph Ward was interviewed by a deputa tion of Maoris, who wished to placo befor him tlio.recommendations of the Maori Cor gross regarding tlio drink evil. The recoil] mendations aro to be submitted to Parliamen in tho form of/a petition.; This petition ha already be cm published in The Dohixios About thirty leading Maoris met tho Prim Minister, who was attended' by the Nativ Minister. Itov. F. Bennett, tho Hon.; Cai roll, and Mr. Ngata, M.P., interpreted i: turn...; N . , Tho Rev. F. W. Chatterton read tho rose lution of tho conference regarding the loci option petition to bo presented to Parlia inenb. : Tho resolution hopes that- tho mat ter will "receive immodiato attention" froi tho Government. ' Mr. Chatterton said th petition had been signed by 2500 Maoris,, an several'more' signatures had come in. H submitted facts and arguments already ad duced at tho Congress, and emphasised tha they wanted tlio matter dealt with as soo: as possible. ■ •' • . Hori . Kokakuero , (Taikope) endorsed Mr Chatterton's remarks. _ - Tho Premier, replying, said tlio petitioi roforred to a matter of great importance t< tho Maoris themselves, and all'well wisher of tho race. Ho and his colleagues wouli givo it their fullest considcriatioil-. It wa not an easy mattor to introduco legislatioi affecting tho licensing question in'-tho fina session of a Parliament. Ho recognised th significanco of the.word "immodiato" ii tlio request, but ho did not want to misleai them, and it might not bo, possible to giv< immediate offect to their desires. If liceto sing legislation could, bo confined to their re quest alone, it would bo an easy matter, bu tho floodgates would bo opened, and amend monts could bo introduced in the House which would mako it a very difficult matte indeed. He was in full sympathy with th< request, particularly in regard to local optioi for Maoris, and would.do all ho could-to fur ther it. Ho thought.the framers'of tho rose lution had decided wisely' in stating an a! ternativo to-tho local option poll. A differ ont system existed in tho election of member to tho Houso for the two races, and they re quired to carry out logically in th< matter of voting on lic3nsing questions. B expressed himself in favour of, the presen system of Maori representation for at leas some years longer. Sir Joseph Ward als made somo remarks regarding the future o tlio two races which elicited expressions o approval. Mrs. To Rowanui (nieco of Peeti T Awcawe, of Oroua Bridge), thanked tho la dies of Wellington for tlio many kindnessc oxtended to tlio Maoris_ during tho week Her further remarks,' ,which were couched ii grateful torms and woro full of appreciation wore directed to Lady Ward for conveyance to tho ladies of Wellington. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, asked Mrs. T llowanui to convey to thoso associated wit! •her Lady Ward's and his own apjireciatioi of tho remarks mado by her. What little the; ■had been ablo to do had given them the vcr; greatest pleasure, becauso they could not b other" thair interested in meeting so man; distinguished representatives; of the race The' Maoris and Europeans alike had tlio on< object in view, namely tho welfare of tho twi races, , and that meant a bright future fo: this happy land of o-urs. . The Maoris immediately broke into a liaka which eloquently expressed their feelings f.ang '"For he's a jolly good fellow," ant wished good-byo to their host and hostess.