THE MAORIS AND THEIR LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13055, 21 December 1905, Page 6

THE MAORIS AND THEIR LANDS.

The -current' issue of the Pipiwharauroa (Cuckoo), a Maori monthly newspaper, published at Gisborne, contains a rather forcible editorial a-f.icle on native lands and land legislation. ■■■ The following is the translation of the principal portion, of the article:— - ':

... " O tribes, and heads of tribes! What is your opinion on our recent advice that the Kotahitanga-o-Waitangi (the union of tribes, convened at Waitangi, Bay of Islands, some years ago) should be revived? If it be that you approve of this re-establish-ment of flic Kotahitanga, why delay about it? Why not straightaway make arrangements for a meeting of . the union of, all the native tribes? The Act for the compulsory taking of (Maori) lands has been passed into law; but before a single acre has been 'confiscated under this Act, let the voice of the conference of tribes be heard. Let the Government hear, so that they may be afraid to forcibly lay hands on tile land; let this be , done before there is time to take the lands under sale. It is for this unipn of the tribes, when convened, arrange for a delegation to go to England, and carry to the Parent Land the news that the Treaty of Waitangi has been trampled upon; 7ln our opinion it is a just grievance to carry to England. ; We, therefore, call upon the tribes to lose no time in convening this meeting of chiefs and members. It is ah-; exceedingly important thing to the Maori people that the Kotahitanga should be again set up, to strive, and watch, and direct rightly the laws that are made dealing with the remnants of our lands. By whom 1 was called the first meeting of the Kotahitanga of the broken-hearted people— the chiefs of all the tribes from. Ngapuhi in, the Far North to the East Coast -and Wairarapa? : 0 chiefs, be swift to act; should you delay..you will fall beneath the blows iof the pakeha. The cautious war party first builds its entrenchments." ; _ '■

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