THE PREMIER AT WANGANUI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12996, 11 December 1902, Page 6

THE PREMIER AT WANGANUI.

IMPORTANT SPEECH TO THE MAORIS. [From Our Correspondent.] AVANGANUI, Dec. 10. The Premier arrived in Wa-nganui by today's express, 'being met at the station by the Hon J. Carroll (Native Minister), the Mayor, 'and leading citizens. Ho proceeded'" tib ' once to Putiki Pa, -where a large Maori meeting had been adjourned from the -previous week to meet him. There •were present at the meeting to-day Mr Hone Hekc, the leading chiefs of the district, and also some from tiie AVairarapa and surrounding districts, including Taiii-a-liau Malnipuku. Several chiefs spoke,- welcoming the Premier back to New Zealand again, and expressing their delight at his being among them once more. They eulogised his representation' of them during his visit to England. They had also prepared a statement of suggested amendments _of the Maori Land Councils Act, and asked the Premier to give them an expression of the Government's intentions- in regard to the Native ..policy of the future. 'The Premier, who- was welcomed after the regular Maori custom, thanked tho chieftains and all present for the warm words of welcome that- had been accorded to him. Since he had last met them, many important events bad taken place.-' He referred to- the death of their White Mother, the 'late Good Queen Victoria-; but they would rejoice to know that her good works would be preserved under the reign of the present King. It was very gratifying to find that the Maori people of New Zealand were increasing in numbers, aiidja state of prosperity obtaining 'among thorn. With regard to,their statement that no previous Premier had done so much for the 'Maori people a.s he had, he would say that certainly no former Premier of the colony, or Government, had endeavoured to bring the Native raco a greater measure of peace and prosperity. He said that it was just as much the duty of the Government to expound measures of policy to the Maoris affecting the country, and especially the Natives themselves, as it. was for them to meet the European population of the colony, and for this reason he'had! chosen that opportunity of giving publicity to certain important extensions in the Government's Native policy. Before proceeding, however, with the public questions, Mr Seddon told those present of the kindly expressions made by the King concerning New Zealand, and his 'admiration of the Maoris and the Maori Coronation Contingent in London. Referring to tho Papawai meeting, before his departure for London, the Premier said that attempts had been made to discredit himself by misrepresenting his remarks on that occasion, and in this connection a wrong had been done to the Maori people themselves by those papers that had not the true interests of their country at heart. 0:i reaching Sydney -he found that the Maoris had been spoken of as being a blood-thirsty people, and that ihe.j, tho Premier, was a bloodthirsty person, for having, as it was said, wished the Maoris to go to -South Africa, to cat the Boers. All this misrepresentation was made to hang upon the fact that he advocated! in that speech the Maoris being freed from the conditions under which our young men in Africa were hampered, preventing them from: moving faster than their own bullock drays. There were many present, that day who would recollect that what be said was that the Maoris could live where the Boers could, live, that the Maoris could move as quickly as the Boers could move, and that they would be able to follow tlie Boers'up- and thus facilitate an early termination of the war. That was what he had said. A speech of an hour's duration had been cut down to 'half a column of newspaper report. Bald assertions were made by the newspapers, and a. reflection was cost on. himself and inferential]}- on the-Maori-people, who were as chivalrous and brave a. people as any in the world. He was glad to say, however, that these misstatements did not prevail, and did not detract from his welcome in the Mother Country, nor did they detract - from the. welcome accorded to the • Maori section of the Coronation contingent. In reply to a question as to- its' having been stated that Hie was about to leave. New Zealand, the Premier told, them that he knew the Natives wished himi to look i to their interest and the well-being-of this country, and that he -intended to remainhere. Mr, Seddon paid a tribute to the good work done by the late Sir George Grey, and stated that on his suggestion, cabled from London, Parliament had made a grant towards the maintenance of thait statesman's grave in AA r estminster Abbey, thus ensuring- that it would not fall into 'insignificance. The Premier said that he was there that day to expound' the policy cf the Government, now requiring further extension, and -said ho was not speaking' to the chiefs and Native people present only but to the Native race of the" 'whole colony.. He felt con-' fident that the Maoris would give an emphatic approval to that policy, for it was the policy that 'had best conserved tho true interests of the Maoris and brought about a greater measure of peace and happiness. He defended the Government inregard to the assertions made that the legislation of recent years bad proved a failure. . -He said that, taking into consideration the fact that five million acres of land were involved, and not only the interests of this 'but of future generations were affected, he thought that i'hey had got on very well. Had it been with- European owners that tho Government -had been dealing not nearly so much progress wordd have been made. The Government would soon bave 90,000 acres of Maori land in the 'hands of surveyors to 'be cut up for settlement, and there were . fully a. -million acres . under ' way and half a million acres, the owners of which definitely had promised to allow it to be dealt with, at once under the Maori Land Administration Act, in different parts of the colony. The Premier stated that in order to assist, the Maori Councils in get-ting-the land ready they bad decided that the surveying should be proceeded with at once, so that the Councils might have accurate information as to the 'best means of-subdividing for settlement purposes; in fact, he wished to see the Councils in the same position as the Government Land Boards, and surveyors would be put at their disposal at once. One important announcement be, wished to make was that there should- be some. Government officer who should be responsible for the expeditious survey of the native lands in the- different districts, and also to give them advice and assistance. This would in a great measure do away with delay in the future. This officer would act under the direction of the Council, and carry out their wishes as to the. cost of the surveying. This could ;be repaid by easy instalments, a small rate of interest being charged on the capital until repaid. In- reply to the request that members of the Councils should be given free, passes on the railway lines, the Premier said that he would advocate concessions being given them, in the way of reduced fares, when travelling to attend meetings of the- Council. AA 7 ith regard to the question of advancing against Maori lands, Mr Seddon- said that, duly safeguarded, the security, after passing through the Maori Council, could be held- safe enough for the colony to' advance money. Once' the land was brought under, and passed by the Council, a. vigorous policy of roading • and bridging would bo proceeded with; in- fact, tho Maoris would, occupy very much the same position as the Europeans did under the Land for Settlements Act. The Premier eulogised the good work done by Dr Pomare, of the Health Department, in bringing about a healthier and more sanitary condition among the Maoris. In respect to sanitary matters affecting the Native race, he intends-to place' thorn under the control of Dr Pomare. The Premier went on to say that he would like to see the system of registra-.

tion of births, deaths and marriages in proper operation among the -Maoris. Referring to the question of education, ho said that there were now very many more Native schools opened than under any previous 'Government, and the strongly advocated a proper system of technical education for Maori vouth- It was also the Government's intention to consider the desirableness of incr.ea.sing the. number of Maori students at the University Colleges, making it a condition that as a return, these Maoris should devote their services to the good of their people. The 'Premier advised the 'Maoris to elect as their representatives in Parliament those who would support "the -Government's policy, and this merely for their own good and) benefit. There should be a united Maori representation in 'Parliament, audi this would be in the best interests of their race. In conclusion, he said that this would be the last occasion on which they would'vote under what was known as tire open voting system. The Government would bo pleased to introduce a Bill riving to the Maori race the privilege of the vote by ballot. He earnestly exhorted them to live in harmony and work harmoniously together, thus helping to maintain New Zealand ,in the glorious position of being the first gem of the British Empire. Tho Premier's speech was received with marked approval, and at its conclusion Mr Hone Heke, who is seeking re-election for I tho Northern district, addressed the meeting. He said that he wij.s exceedingly pleased to have beard the Premier's speech that day, and looking, as he did,, upon the proper administration of their native lands as their chief salvation in the future, Mr Seddon's speech -had carried conviction to his mind that they were now on the right track. He accepted the principles as enunciated by the Premier. He accepted the policy as one that would uplift the Maori race to a higher standard. He believed that the Government was sincere in its efforts to give the Maoris the greatest possible advantages. The hearts of-the Premier and the Native Minister were in the work they were carrying out for the native people. In regard to measures for the improvement of sanitary condition of the people, he said they must follow the lines shadowed by Mr Seddon. In making this, his first political speech of the -campaign, lie freely admitted that in the past ho had been difficult to convince, but now he was perfectly _ willing and sincere in accepting the position and believing in the earnestness of the Government. He was glad to have the opportunity of making this first public announcement of his solemn intention to support the Government and the Premier, because they had met his? wishes and their policy commended itself to him. He bad had his doubts.up till now, but he was satisfied now. He trusted that the Premier and Native Minister would keep a vigilant eye to seo that the policy now enunciated and extended should be well guarded and protected. This was necessary seeing that especially in the important work of land settlement they -might be unduly exposed to European interests and pressure. He thanked the Premier for having given them the opportunity of hearing his exposition, of the Native policy, and also to have been able to make the announcement he had made as a representative of the Maori people. . One of the chiefs -announced his intention' of placing 100,000 acres for the Premier and Mr Carroll to "stand their feet upon," when questions were asked in- Parliament regarding the Maori land administration. A feature of the meeting was a- characteristic speech by AVikitoria Keepa, daughter of the late Major Kemp, welcoming the Premier among her, people again, arid expressing sympathy with him in the illness of Mrs Bean, Iris •daughter* ■