A MAORI STONEWALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8557, 10 August 1888, Page 5

A MAORI STONEWALL.

SYDNEY TAIWHANGA AND THE NATIVE LAND BILL. [FROM ora SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,] WELLINGTON. August 9. I am unable to send you much news to-day, for the very simple reason that the whole afternoon and evening so far has been taken up with a stonewalling speech from Mr Sydney Taiwhanga, who has talked steadily since 3.30 p.m. The only variety about his remarks has been afforded by his transition from one language to another. He has skipped backwards and forwards from fluent Maori to the moat villainous English at Ms own sweet will, now employing an interpreter, and now dispensing with his help. Occasional efforts were made in the earlier part of his speech to trip him up over points of order. Once he started talking Maori without halting to have it translated, and was called to order for speaking in ' ", i A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. A member very properly suggested that' Maori could hardly be ruled a foreigh language in New Zealand, as it was the only Native language of which onr Colony can boast. Such, however, is the assumption of the Pakeha, that Maori is ruled a foreign tongue in the House of Represent tatives, and those speaking it must employ the services of an interpreter. As I write this, Sydney is still pegging away; apparently full of running ; though the resonant voice with which, Nature has blessed the little man is Becoming slightly cracked. But he has only been talking four hours, and that, as ah old hand has scornfully observed to me, is a mere nothing. Mr Taiwhanga was still talking at the supper adjournment, the' reporters having, however, been relieved from further attendance. THE NATIVE COMMITTEE OF DIRECTION* has decided not to ask to be heard at the bar of the House in the way talked of yesterday, nor will the Committee submit any definite proposals in writing to the Government. I fancy that with the excision of the taxation clauses, most of the opposition to the Native Bills has collapsed. Sydney Taiwhanga does not seem to he getting any countenance from his colleagues, or indeed from anyone, unless it be the member for Sydenham, who rose to defend him against certain interruptions this evening.