MAORI ATTITUDE TO POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9115, Issue 9115, 11 January 1910, Page 6

MAORI ATTITUDE TO POLITICS.

A CHANGE COMING. OPPOSITION VIEWS IN FAVOUR, The Dargaville correspondent of the Herald wires a very interesting article dealing with the growth of political feeling amongst the Maoris. He save: —"A growing interest is being manifested by the northern Maoris in matters political, and the more progressive and leading Natives are insatiable in their desire for further enlightenment regarding the position of the Government and Opposition parties. Previous to the Premiership of the late Mr Scddon the four Native representatives in Parliament divided on all matters which affected the pakeha race, and owing to this custom party leaders were content, in summing up their supporters, to eliminate all voting assistance from those representing Maori electorates. But, in recent years, the Maori members have been led to look upon the present continuous Government as a permanent one to whom they must ever look for any benefits likely' to accrue to their race. "With the' decease of Mr Hone Heke the appointment of a successor to the Northern seat was left solely in the hands of the Native Minister, with the result that Dr. Buck was returned for the seat. But. the Northern Maoris are now reaping the benefits of a pakeha education, and many of them, in the prime of life, arc thoroughly conversant with the English language. They regularly peruse the newspapers, and diligently scan reports of Parliamentary proceedings, in which they are closely interested. That, and constant intercourse with their pakeha neighbours, has led to their obtaining a fairly good grasp of the present political position, with the result that, throughout all .the tribes, Mr Massey has a largo and enthusiastic folI lowing, end those responsible for the election of Dr. Buck are now mortified to experience the railings of their fellows for having been cajoled into the appointment of a Taranaki man as their Parliamentary representative. Many vehemently declaim against the loss of mana which they have suffered in having to recognise a stranger of considerably less personal importance than scores of their own tribesmen as their authorised and chosen public deputy. Moreover, eo heartily sick are they of unfulfilled pledges and of the chaos which ever deepens and surrounds the Native Department that many chieftains have openly pledged themselves to the Opposition interests. "Already active steps are being taken in view of the next election, and general satisfaction is expressed at the candidature of Mr Kerci Mitai Titore, who holds pronounced Opposition views, and who is determined to ameliorate the exasperating land conditions under which his people labour. "The Maori is a farmer pure and simple. Ho finds that his interests arc identical with those of the farming pakeha. and that Mr Massey's views on the land question are based wholly on common sense. Land reform is now the chief ob ject, and the awakening Maori seems determined to obtain it."