NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3008, 21 December 1896, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The bulk of the returns of the Maori elections are to hand, and show, so far as they go, a very favourable verdict for the Government by the Native race. In respect to the Western Maori electorate, we find Henare Kaihau—a new man—with a strong lead of about 400 above Eopata Te Ao, and although there are 40 returns yet to come we have reason to believe the position will not be altered. A new feature in the representation of this electorate is the fact that the' Kingite Natives have come forth from their exclusiveness to seek representation in the colonial Parliament. Henare. Kaihau is the nominee of the King party, and this move on their part can be accounted for from the fact that the Premier has made every effort to conciliate these Natives by meeting them in their own kaingas and discussing their grievances and their plans for the future, with the result that a most cordial and amicable feeling has been established between them and the Government. It '.'as through Henare Kaihau that the Government were able to settle the dispute in connection with the Opnatia Block. We have every reason to believe that the new representative will support the Government. He is a shrewd, intelligent man, and much interest will attach to him, seeing that he is the first special nominee of the Kingite Natives to sit in the House. In the event of the returns that are to come in going against Henare Kaihau, then Kopata Te Ao will probably have a good chance of winning the seat. And supposing this to happen, Te Ao has not .concealed the fact that he “ will be Opposition no more,” thus giving a further evidence of the faith that has been firmly established in the present Ministry. Wi Fere has suet a commanding lead that there can bs no question about his return, while Parata’s chances are equally good. Both of these members of the Native race have ever been found voting on the Liberal side.anditismofethan a disappointment to the Opposition that their prognostications concerning the latter have not been fulfilled. Hone Heke’a returnjmay be regarded as certain, and he is the only Oppositionist who has been elected. And here it may be said that his election has been decided more on personal than political grounds. Had a strong man. favouring the Government policy, ‘stood for the seat it is not too much to say that Heke would have been defeated.

The lesson, taught as the result of the Maori voting ia that.open, honest dealing with the Native race has had its effect. Where once was hatred, distrust, isolation, there is now confidence and respect. In the past the Maoris have been like the proverbial Irishman, “ agin the Government.” Many o£ them sulked and declined to seek any sort of representation ; but to-day we fihd them not only anxious to have representation, but also to support that Ministry which has proved to them that, after, all, Governments can, if they only will, do mnch for the preservation of the remnant of the race and for the removal of those injustices under which they have long suffered. Take, for example, the vote in the Wairarapa district. What does that signify ? That the Maori people remember with gratitude the settlement of the Lake trouble. They voted in a block for the Government candidate. At Pahiatna the vote was almost unanimous, and why? Tho Natives remembered the settlement of the long-standing dispute in connection with the Pahiatua Block, and, remembering, were not ungrateful. The Urewera returns have yet to come in, but here again tho manner in which the present Government have met and dealt with men who were up to that time nothing* else than rebels, and for good and sufficient reasons, will, we feel sure, prove to Mr Seddon and his colleagues that a wise, firm yet withal kindly rule ia fully appreciated by tho Maori people. A like effect will more than probably be shown in other districts where the Government have been successful in settling the claims, of tho Natives, notably in tho King Country, up the Wanganui River, in tho South Island and other places. This result of a policy in which he has played his part will bo gratifying to tha representative in the "Cabinet of the Native people, the Hon Jas. Carroll. In him the Premier has had an adviser whose

help has been of a valuable kitfd and it is our pleasing duty to congratulate Mr Seddon ‘ upon tho happy issue of tho efforts lie has put forth to induce iu the Maori mind and heart th? confidence necessary to their acceptance of tho policy of a Government.

An illustration of the purely independent and essentially colonial spirit of the ago was noticed in one of our suburbs the other morning. A party of half-a-dozen juveniles, ranging in age from 11 to 13, were seen on the tramp, " bluey ’ on back and billy in hand, complete and in full swagger style. The result of interview with them led to the gaining tho information that they were chums, _ their mothers had given them a couple of shillings each, and they were going to "have n good time at the Exhibition.” Their homes were at Porirua, they had come in by easy stages, camping at Johnsonville and resting at Kaiwarra. They were bright lads, and after the interview they stepped off briskly and as jolly as such bonny weather and a week’s free-and-easy, all-on-their-owu time could make colonial youth. We wish them the full realisation of all their anticipations.