THE MAORI QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12279, 25 May 1903, Page 5

THE MAORI QUESTION.

CONFERENCE WITH NATIVE

MINISTER.

LAND SETTLEMENT AND SOCIAL

PROBLEMS.

Tire representatives of the various Maori tribes present at Government House on Friday, when Mahuta was sworn in as a member of the Executive CuunciL met in conference with the Hon. J. Carroll, Minister for Native Affairs, in the Harbour Board Rooms 011 Saturday. Mr. Carroll addressed the gathering at considerable length, quoting the text, "By their deeds ye shall know them," and urging the natives to put all ill-feeling behind them, and aid in the administration of the law. He said they had to congratulate themselves on what took place 011 the previous day, as marking a page in the history of- the country, but the real work was still before them. They must make the most of the position. New Zealand looked to them in expectancy for developments arising out of their united efforts, which would redound to their credit «nd add to the benefits of the country and to the well-being of both races. Mr. Carroll proceeded to touch on what he considered to be the important questions to be handled and carried into practical effect, viz., the settlement of the laud, the betterment of the native race socially and morally, the suppression of drinking and of the many evils to which he was sorry to say his kindred was too prone. They had the sympathy of their pattella brethren, and he believed that from now they would get the help of the pakehas, but the natives must show that they were deserving of some consideration. From that day they must be up and doing. They must understand that there were considerations beyond themselves, and that the country was looking to them and that posterity had claims upon them. Ho wished Mahuta that day to declare his full acquiescence in the laws of the country, and that he would devote himself to carrying them out. There was before them the large and important question of the education of the native children, there was the proper understanding and carrying into effect of sanitary laws in all Maori settlements. They should make what provision they could for the landless and indigent among the Maoris, and the well-to-do of the race should assist in the establishment of country hospitals in different districts, to relieve sickness and suffering. They should try to be as small a burden as possible on the benevolence of their pakelia j brethren. They should aim at providing opportunities for their young people to go 011 the land and become material helpers of the State. They should strive to obtain instruction in the technical branches of education in association with the native schools, so that in the battle of life in the future their children and descendants would be armed with a knowledge of the arts of trade and of the mechanical sciences that would help them on their way. They should concede to the claims made on them by he State that were just and equitable in the way of sharing the responsibilities of Government and the burdens of State, and, above all, they should build up a character for the remnant of the Maori people that would claim for them recognition for having attained a. high standard of morality, of equity, of justness, of industry, and of generosity', and attract to them the support and assistance of the other race. All this could be done. There was nothing now to prevent them engaging in great and noble works. The real essence of the consummation arrived at on the previous day would be the full exercise of Malnita's power and influence with his people, associated with all the strength and purpose the Government could bring into force towards elevating the race and mak- j ing them a credit to the country and a help in the onward march of progress. Mahuta also addressed the gathering, speaking in liigh terms of his appreciation of the Minister's speech in all its bearings, and stating that so far as he was concerned from that day he would give ample evi-' dence that he intended to carry out what was good for the colony, for the two races and particularly for his people. Whatever estrangements there had been were now buried in oblivion. He felt that every- | thing was now in accord, and he advised his people not only to maintain the law, but to carry it out in its entirety. He was satisfied, and he hoped all present would understand from that that as far as he was concerned all animosities and all differences were at an end. He was satisfied that the Government were sincere, and he hoped he would be able to carry out all the obligations cast upon him. Several other natives spoke, all in a pacific strain. The Ngatimaniapotos expressed themselves as satisfied with what had been done. They claimed to be the progressive party, and they believed that what had transpired would'materially help in the furtherance of their policy. All they wanted was that Mahuta, with whom they had been at variance, should use his power to assist them in opening tip the country and in the settlement of the land?. This Mahuta could do by advising those who still adhered to his manor and to the doctrines of the past. Mahuta belonged to them as much as he did to the Walkatos. However sweet sentiment was, the natives should not forget that the ruling spirit of the age was practicability. The best spirit was maintained throughout the meeting. Mahuta and a large number of native chiefs left by Saturday afternoon's train for the Waikato.