AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14708, 16 June 1911, Page 6

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

DEPUTATION TO MR. BUDDO.

A large deputation, headed by the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, and introduced by Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., waited upon tho Hon. D. Bud'do yesterday to urge the extension of clemency to Tahi Kaka. There were also present Messrs. F. Lawrv, M.P., A. E. Glover, M.P., E. Davis, T. Mario Giles (Conciliation Commissioner), P. - E. N. Gaudin. J. Trevefhick, M. J. Sheahan, G. Higgiris, W. E. Hackett (counsel for prisoner), J. Hooker, G. Davies, T. Long, and H. Banneld, besides many others. Mr. Myers said there was a strong public opinion in favour of the commutation of the death sentence. The Maoris were lawabiding, peaceable citizens, and if the Cabinet could see its way to exacting only a partial sentence, upon this youthful member of the race he felt sure the act would bo productive of good. The exercise of leniency would, ho added, be only fitting in view of the Coronation celebration*? at hand.

Bishop Crossley apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), and of the Hon. E. Mitchelson, both of whom were, he said, in complete accord with the objects of the deputation. The present appeal was based most strongly upon two facts, the first of which was the extreme youth of the prisoner. Twelve men had given the case most earnest consideration, and made a strong recommendation to mercy. He pleaded for an act of clemency that would be very appropriate at this special season. The full penalty was not required to teach the Maoris duty and discipline. (Applause. ) He would be the last person to plead for clemency if he thought it would tend to increase crime, but he felt that such would not be the case.

Mr. Lawry said he had been strongly opposed for the past 40 years to capital punishment, believing that the fear of it did not in any degree prevent crime. He mentioned that 8500 citizens had (up to the time of speaking) signed the petitions being prepared to ask for the reduction of the sentence. He did not think that the Hon. .1. Carroll or Mr. Wi Fere realised the position when they said the commutation of the sentence would affect the Maoris deleteriously.

Mr. G. Davis, secretary of the Carters' Union, and Mr. J. Hooker, a leading labour official of Napier, spoke in support of the previous speakers.

Mr. Hacked said that the most serious aspect of the whole matter was that this was the first occasion on which a recommendation of a jury had been disregarded. If juries wishing to make such a recommendation felt no security that their recommendation would be given effect to, lie asked would they convict? He doubted it. The Minister, in reply, said that the murderer was a member of a race which had all along been acknowledged, notwithstanding its turbulent defence of its rights, as a. law-abiding people. Without commenting in any way upon the nature of the crime, lie recognised that the people had felt their duty to intercede, and he had no objection to offer to their action. But in a matter of this sort, neither sentiment nor sympathy nor clemency could in any way affect the position, fie would be pleased to convey the expression of opinion which he had heard to the Acting-Prime Minister by telegraph at once. FEELING IN WHANGAREI. EFFECT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. [BY TELEGUAriI. —OWN' COHBESVONDENT.] Whang AP.B.i, Thursday. The question of the reprieve of Tahi Kaki is causing a good deal of discussion in this district, where the tragedy took place and when- murderer and murdered man were, well known. The opinion of the majority of townsmen and settlers seems to he" in favour of letting the law take its course. It is stated that there is growing up in the North a. class fit" young Maori who is acquiring the vices of th(! pakeha in their most depraved i forms. These young men are getting uncontrollable. They lack the nobility of their elders and the latent fierceness of the race, conjoined to a depraved nature, will make them very difficult to deal with. If Tahi Kaka is reprieved it is argued that, the lonely settler and .solitary gumdiggeu would have a. new danger added to their lives. The majority of those who favour a. reprieve knew Kaka personally. They state that all his employers gave him a. good name. At, one time lie was employed as stableman at the llukerenui Hotel, and he also looked after the cows. lie was noted for his kindness to the animals uuder his care. They do not believe ho was capable of committing a premeditated murder. A settler who lias dealings with the Maori race said that he had talked the matter over with many Maoris, and had mentioned to them that the pakehas were

saying nanv of their youths were getting out of hand. In reply they admitted that some of the youths had been seduced by pakeha vices, but tho majority werei halfcastes or had a strain of European Wood, and why should tho Maori be blamed! They contend that their children are as a rule as well-behaved as the pakeha. Thev say: " Hang Tahi Kaka, and soon his memory passes away; keeping Kaka in prison for life would be a life-long reminder to the others." To the Maori mind capital punishment would not have the deterrent effect that a lite sentence would.