THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Mornings. Nelson, Friday, March 5, 1897. OUR MAORI FELLOW SUBJECTS.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8807, 5 March 1897, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily — Mornings. Nelson, Friday, March 5, 1897. OUR MAORI FELLOW SUBJECTS.

The Sydney ' Daily Telegraph ' has made the, in some respects, remarkable assertion that the Maoris, -while undoubtedly subjects of the Queen, are simply bo by compulsion. Like many a statement made for the mere purpose of supporting, an idea, tbis one contains a semblance of truth > but it by no means embraces the whole truth. To a certain extent the colonizers of New Zealand were interlopers, who, at times, were compelled to maintain their position by force, but by a large section of the native race they were welcomed, and to-day there are few Maoris who are not proud of the fact that they are, f equally, with the colonists, subjects of I the Queen, and citizens of the British Empire. But for the somewhat hasty annexation of this island on behalf of the United Kingdom, at all events a portion of New Zealand, would possibly have become, and continued till this time, subjecS to French rule, and with the light of experience as to French methods of attempting to found colon'es there is every reason to believe that had tbe French established themselves at Akaroa the advancement of the Island would not have proceeded as it has done, and there is, moreover, cause to believe that had such an eventuality happened the Maori rac >. would by this time have been " improved off " the face of tbe Island. In some respects, unquestionably, the Maoris have not benefited by their contact with white men, partly because in many instances they have unfortunately been in closer connection with the more degrades or selfish of tha white men than those of higher principles, and also because in changing their old habits for new, they have naturally incurred risks that the most downtrodden of the English race would not have experienced. At the recent Te Aute Conference, Archdeacon Williams made allusion to the harm which the Maoris as a race had suffered through the injudicious use of European clothing, and quoteß a remark of his father's that the English blanket would kill more Maoris than the English musket There i* no doubt that the prediction has been verified, but witi the younger Maories, save those who may inherit disease brought on by injudicious use of European clothing and wraps, the danger is far Jess now, when many Maoris have entirely adopted European methods. Ihe recent Conference of Maori students at Te Au c disclosed in a manner that must generally be regarded as highly gratifying the noble aims which actuate many of the young men of that race. At that conference an association of past students of Te Aute College was formed with a noble and patriotic aim thus described : " To aid in the amelioration of the condition of the Maori race physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually." It is to be worked by a general committee and a conference is to be held annually. At the last Conference the Rev. F. Bennett, of Nelson, delivered a strong address on " How to be a Christian, despite surroundings," and the report before us, after^pronting out tbat the subj ct afforded full scope for a strong appeal to the young men to bear their part in the reformation of their race, proceeds to say that the speaker urged that in these days young men held the key of the situation everywhere. The cry was for young men to take a leading part in managing Maori affairs and educating Maori thought. He urged combination in the work of combatting the evils at present rampant, and of effecting the reformation of the race by Christian precept and Christian example. Mr Bennett was supported by Mr Halbert. who spoke in Maori, and who made an excellent speech, setting forth the evil surroundings of Maori life, and pleading earnestly for reform. At this same conference Mr Ngata.M.A/ L.L.8., an old Te Aute boy, the first Maori graduate of the New Zealand University, delivered an address on tbe employment of Maori boys after leaving school." He showed that industry was the basis of civilisation, and gave interesting particulars of the achievements of Maoris on cooperative lines. Others followed, but enough has been said to show the trend of Maori thought. New Zealand colonists recognise that in their darker skinned fellow subjects they have to deal with a race that merits respect and affection, but while there are some who may point to the careful provision that has been made for safe-

guarding the interests of the race, and declare that all that might reasonably be required has been done on their behalf, those who know more cannot but feel that whilst opportunities Lave been negletfced in the past, there are possibilities of doing better in the future. Sufficient has been indicated to those who think, to prove that the Maoris are not slow to avail themselves of opportunities, and undoubtedly good may be done by the establishment amongst the Maoris of something in the nature of the household schools that aie provided for settlers in outlying districts, and if it were possible to secure as teachers of such schools, ladies who would help to raise the status of those amongst whom they labored, a material aid to the objects of the Te Aute Association would be secured. The responsibilities of the colonising Power are not, and ought not to be overlooked, but though British settlers have not done all that might have been done, they have, as a whole endeavored to study the best interests of the original owners of the soil, and it is an insult to the latter to insinuate that they are to be likened to unwilling captives, for if in any sense they are to be regarded as captives, they are only so because they have been won over to regard their neighbors who have brought them some advantages as well as — and the admission has to be made with regret — some ills.