MAORI AND EUROPEAN REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Daily Southern Cross, 11 April 1868, Page 4

MAORI AND EUROPEAN REFORM ASSOCIATION.

This Association held a meeting at Orakei yesterday, but we have not to record any great progress in the very large amount of work which is before it, a« there was no one present to render into Maori the things that were spoken in English, or into English the far greater amount which would hare been spoken in Maori. In these circumstances nothing at all has been done, and the difficulty which hai been the cause of three-fourths of our misunderstandings with the Maori people has turned up again to impede the patriotic efforts of the MaoriEuropean Association. One of the objects of the body is " the dissemination among Europeans of a popular knowledge of the usages, custom*, and existing laws among the Maori*, so that the perplexity which exists on both sides regarding many matters may be done away with." But we find at the very outset that the Association is fairly " floored." We have, of course, no wish to discourage either the Europeans or Maoris who take an interest in the Association, but they must see how difficult it is for people speaking languages so different as English and Maori, and whose ideas run in such totally different channels, to co-operate in any good work. The place appointed for the meeting was the large carved house on the hill above the settlement. The hall was arranged for the meeting, tables, chairs, and forms being placed, with writing materials. At two o'clock, about one hundred natives had assembled at the house, the women remaining at the settlement busy in the preparation of food to be consumed when the korero had finished. There were about twenty Europeans present, mostly from Remuera and neighbourhood, and several gentlemen from town, who, we suppose, thought they might enjoy the holiday in a pleasant ride to Orakei, and, at the same time, " assist " at so important a meeting. A number of the principal chiefs of the Kaipara district were amongst those assembled. Amongst the Europeans present were — Messrs. J. Ogilvie, R. Matthews, J. H, Crawford, and D. B. Cruickshank; and amongst the Maoris we noticed Paraone Ngaweke, Reihana Kewefci (secretary of the Association), Faora Tuhaere, Wi Reweti, Te Hapimana, Te Eeene, Tautari, Te Hira, Warena Hengia. It appeared that Mr. .Barnsley, Chairman of the Association, had depended, as interpreter, on Te Wirihana, or Mr. Wilson, a young man who is employed in the Survey Office, and who speaks English tolerably well, for a Maori. Wilson, how* ever, when the meeting was asiembled, was nowhere to be found, and the chairman had to go in search of him. He had got quite frightened at the idea of speaking English before an assembly, and it was with considerable difficulty that he was got to the place at all. The Chairman (Mr. Barnsley) opened the meeting by stating that he ought to correct a mistake which he observed the newspapers had fallen into, viz., that the Association had then met for the first time. They had met together many times at Orakei, and talked over all the matters which were to come before them ; but it was thought that, by baring a more public meeting than they had previously attempted, they might be able to make more progress than they had heretofore achieved, and better enoompass the objects of the Association. Here came the rub. It was clear that the rather elegantly-phrased speech of the Chairman must be rendered into Maori, and so many "dictionary" words had been used that Te Wirihana was as much in the dark as any other person present. At length, it was thought that he understood the gist of it, and he communicated it to the Maoris; though whether they were wiser than before, we cannot say. Native courtesy, however, prevented them from asking further explanation. After a few minutes of ominous silence, Tjlutabi rose and said : This is the word which I have risen to speak to you all. We are desirous to have one law for both peoples, and that Maori and European should co-operate for good. But we here do not understand one another. I understood there was to be an interpreter here, and, if there were, I would speak freely what I think. Te Wirihana is a Maori, but there ought to be a European here who could thoroughly interpret what we Maoris say into English, so that the speeches might be written and published. The drift of Tautari's remarks having been communicated to the chairman, he stated that Mr. C. O. Davis and the other competent interpreters were at present out of town, and he had not been able to get one. He had depended upon Te Wirihana, who, however, had not sufficient acquaintance with English, and the natives appeared unwilling to risk their observations. In these circumstances, he thought it would be better to hold the meeting over till a future time. It being obvious to everyone that this was not merely the better course, but the only one, and its adoption a matter of necessity, there was no opposition. Tautabi again rose and said, addressing the Chairman : We Maoris did not fix the day, or arrange matters, or else we should have got an interpreter ; it was your work. The Chairman- here showed a little temper at Tautari's observations, and said that certainly he had exhibited no interest in the Association compared to Reihana. Paul said this was a most vexatious affair, and a great waste of kumaras and pork, which had been prepared below for a feast. Te Keens and Te Hapimana also spoke in a jocular way about the piga and potatoes being wasted. The meeting then broke up sine die, all the Maoris and several of the Europeans going down to the settlement, where, in front of Paul's house, was a large heap of baskets containing kumaras and maize. Over these were laid huge pieces of pork. A native took up a stalk of maize, and striking the heap several times, solemnly set it aside a» an offering to the pakehas. As there were only a few Europeans present, and the heap would have feasted half a regiment, it was clear that the greater part would have to revert to the donors. After partaking of a few kumaras the Europeans left, leaving the natives at their feast, and discussing the "pohehe," or blunder, which had stopped those eloquent orations that else would have astonished the world. We have no desire at all to cast ridicule on the Association. The above is, however, a strictly correct account of what took place at the Association's first great meeting. If Europeans and Maoris can be got to meet together, as they did at Orakei yesterday, and discuss political matters, which they did not do yesterday, very possibly good might be done, and prejudices overcome. But as the Maoris do not understand English, and the pakehas do not know Maori, a good interpreter is a sine qua non. Any one who has attended meetings where natives whose remarks have to be interpreted speak, knows . that they cannot be got to speak freely unless they have perfect confidence in the interpreter.