Maori Meeting in Hawke's Bay.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 54, 8 January 1895, Page 2

Maori Meeting in Hawke's Bay.

Napier, January 5.

A great Maori meeting is now proceeding at Te Aute, serving the twofold purpose of mourning over the departed chief, Hone Neanea, and discussing matters of interest connected with the Maoi-i race. Amongst the questions brought up was equal rights for women, several who spoke pointing out that for years the work done by their husbands had been no good, and the women must do something. Under the Treaty of Waitangi all were to be served alike, but they had not been so served. Their men had been following up the root of the grape vine and did not know what fruit it would bring forth, while men had done nothing for themselves the bush and root passed into the hands of the Europeans. They were going down every day losing their lands and mana. All that could be done was to try and form some rules and regulations by which they might be proteoted, but it would depend upon their strength and what they took in hand. Hone Heke and Wi Pere, M.H.R's., are expected to address the meeting. The meeting is to be formed to control all matters relating to the sale or disposal of land belonging to native women; but as far as possible to withdraw all land from sale.