Hon. Mr. Carroll and Natives.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3230, 21 September 1892, Page 2

Hon. Mr. Carroll and Natives.

At the smoke concert tendered to members of Parliament, who recently visited Pioton, a speeoh was made by the native member of the Executive, whioh met with great, applause. Following Mr. Parata, who wished- those present to understand that, though eleoted by Maoris, be con* sidered that be was in Parliament to represent Europeans as well, and to look after the interests of both races, the Hoc. Mr. Carroll, speaking as a native, said that though there was a racial distinction, and in matter of complexion there was and necessarily must be a differ* enoe, and though every day tbat difference was lessening, it bad always been his aim to lessen the line of demarcation that bad existed between the two races. They were all New Zealanders, and the white native New Zealanders were increasing rapidly. Why, he asked, should they not work together for tbe good of the land of their birth ? The time had approached when, in his opinion, community of interest should be established, and both races be placed on tbe same footing. The; bad been shown, on tbeir way to Blenheim, a Bpot where a few years ago a massacre bad taken place. Some wretohed misunderstanding had caused it, but he was pleased to see that the descendants of those who had taken part in that affair could and did now extend to one another tbe right hand of good fellow* ship. He, as a Native Minister, never forgot that though eleoted to represent the natives— a position peculiar to them and unfortunate in many respeots — he was bound to attend also to tbe interests of the colony as a whole. He believed tbat one race must not be antagonistic to the other. He was proud of his own race, and believed that no other colored race would be found more European in any of tbeir ways, or more fitted to mixing with the European race. In time they would become one nation and one race, and. would work side by side with one another.