THE MAORIS AS EMIGRANTS TO HAWAII.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 14

THE MAORIS AS EMIGRANTS TO HAWAII.

Mr H. M. Whitney, in a letter in the Hawaiian Gazette of January 18th, suggests that some arrangement might bo made to transport some of the Natives of New Zealand to the Hawaiian Islands, colonising them there as permanent settlers, to amalgamate with and replenish their native race. Referring to this subject, the Hawaiian Gazette says: — "A letter from Mr Whitney calls attention to the Maoris as immigrants. This is not a new scheme, as in 1866 the Hon. Wm. Hoapili Kaauwai went to New Zealand to open a negotiation for the emigration of Maoris to the Hawaiian Archipelago. This 'young chief and his wife, after receiving 'distinguished attention in Europe, sailed from London on board the ship Norwood for New Zealand, and arrived in Auckland in .August, 1866. They proceeded at once to 1 visit the Maori chiefs of the North Island, or Ika na Maui, and were entertained by the Prince Tamehana (William Thompson) and other high Maori chiefs. Hoapili found little difficulty in carrying on conversation with his Maori friends. Ho was an onlightened man and a zealous student, and readily adapted his Hawaiian Maori language to the New Zealand Maori language. His views in regard to Maori migration to Hawaii i were cordially entertained by Tamehana. ' Many patriotic Maoris objected to the scheme, deeming it almost a sacrilege to abandon their fatherland, but a large number took another view, saying that their country was virtually lost to them ; the whites, who so far outnumbered them, were in complete possession of it ; but that in Hawaii, an ancient sisterland, there were their own blood and lineage, ruled by a Maori-PolyJ nesian king. After a time Hoapili wrote home to Minister Hutchinson and to the editor of this journal that he was prepared to lead an emigration of several thousand Maoris, if the Hawaiian Government would enable him to carry out his negotiation. But the king— Kamehameha V.— -had taken umbrage at the action of Hoapili. He had proceeded as a volunteer independent commissioner, and it was supposed would arrogate to himself too much consequence in case he should return to Hawaii' with a colony of Maoris under his guidance and influence. So this volunteer Hawaiian , negotiator.' received ' .letters' from home disp,pproviug of 'his independent action, I and warning him not to attempt to promote any migration of Maoris without the full sanction' of the Government of his country. Hoapili was 'undoubtedly indiscreet in his action in this matter, and ' reasonably provoked thd 'qbjection of his sovereign. It' was understood when he set out from Hawaii that he would proceeded to New Zealand for information solely, and by a favourable report induce the Government to take some action, but he was so much affected by the sympathy and goodwill of the Maoris and their eager desire to become compatriots with him in his own country, that he took in hand at once a plan of emigration which would, as he gave assurance in his letters, be carried out entirely at the expense of the Maoris themselves. HoWever, Hoapili had to dismiss his plan for the time, and ho and his wife returned to their home in the islands. The visit of Hoapili to the Maoris awakened hopes in regard to the migration of Maoris to Hawaii, and views on the subject often entertained are now revived by the letter of Mr Whitney on the subject. From what we can learn, however, there is at present little likelihood that any great number of Maoris could be induced to come here. Perhapß if the king should pay a visit to New Zealand, and make a tour through those districts in whiph the Natives are still numerous, his Majesty's presence would attract the attention of some i f the more adventurous spirits, and dispose them to emigrate to a land in which one of their own race occupies the • throne. They would not, however, be induced to come here as labourers in any numbers, and there are many drawbacks in the way of inviting them as settlers. The Government, has, no large lands to offer to provide for the settlement of a body of colonists ; whilst in New Zealand, each Maori tribe has an ample domain of its own. As a cognate people to promote population, the migration of Maoris 'to this Archipelago is eminently deserving of attention; and as his Majesty hopes some' day to visit the countries of the South Pacific' we feel sure it will not escape his attention.