MAORIS AND POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 13

MAORIS AND POLITICS.

DEVELOPMENT OF INTEREST (From Our Own Correspondent.)

AUCKLAND, January 5.

■■- The Dargavilla correspondent of the Herald wires a very interesting article dealing with the growth of political feeling against the Maoris, xie says that a growing interest is being manifested by the northern Maoris in matters political, and the more progressive and leading Natives are insatiable in their desire for further enlightenment regarding the pos ; - tion of the Government and Opposition parties. Previous to the Premiership of the late Mr Seddon, the four Native representatives in Parliament divided on- all matters which affected .the pa be ha race, owing to which custom party leaders were content, in summing up their supporters, to eliminate all voting assistance from those representing Maori electorates, but in. recent years the Maori members have been led to look upon the present continuous Government as a permanent one, to which they must ever look for a*«y benefits likely to accrue to their race. v\ r ith the decease of Mr Hone Heke the appointment of a successor to the Northern seat was left solely in the hands of the Native Minister, with the result that Dr Buck was returned for the seat. But the Northern Maoris are now reaping the benefits of a pakeha education. Many of them in the prime of life are thoroughly conversant with the English language. They regularly peruse newspapers, and diligently scan reports of parliamentary proceedings in which they arte closely interested. Constant communication with pakeha neighbours has led to their obtaining a fairly good grasp of the present political position, with the result that throughout all the tribes Mr Massey has a large and enthusiaistic following, and those responsible for the election of Dr Buck are now mortified to experience the railings of their fellows for having been cajoled into the appointment of a Taranaki man as their parliamentary representative. Many vehemently declaim against the loss of mana they have suffered in having to recognise a stranger of considerably less personal importance than scores of their own tribesmen as their authorised and chosen public deputy. Moreover, eo heartily sick are they of unfulfilled pledges, and of the chaos which ever deepens and surrounds the atmosphere of the Native Department, that many chieftains have openly pledged themselves to _ the Opposition interests. Already active steps are being taken in view of next election, and general satisfaction is expressed at the candidature of Mr Kerei Mitai Titore, who holds pronounced Opposition views, and who is determined to ameliorate the exasperating land conditions under which his people labour. The Maori is a farmer pure and simple. He finds that his interests are identical with those of the farming pakeha, and that Mr Massey's views on the land question are based wholly on common sense. Land reform is his chief cry, and he seems determined to obtain it.