SOUTHERN MAORI DISTRICT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12410, 27 November 1908, Page 2

SOUTHERN MAORI DISTRICT.

MR PARATA AT KAIKOURA.

Mr Tamo. Parata, the Liberal, candidate for the Southern Maori electorate, which he has represented in Parliament for the last twenty-three years, addressed a largo meeting of electors at Kaikoura last week. The candidate claimed that during his term as their representative he had given the smallest detail his most earnest attention, and had striken to get all their -requirements attended v to. The natives of the South Island were not so favoured as those of the North, and when ho was first returned to the House t he advocated a scheme by which every Maori man, woman and- child should -have a certain area of land. He had asked the. Natives to formulate a scheme to lay : before the Government, claiming that those who did not get any land, or not enough land in the reserves, should be awarded land for their maintenance,- as they, were justly entitled, and he would give it his hearty support. This they did under his directions. After many years of hard fighting, ,he was successful in convincing tho* Government that the achemo was absolutely, just and necessary for the welfare of the Ngaitahu people, the descendants/of the original owners of the South Island. The Government then appointed a Coramissjph to go' into the matter, and to-day there were 136,000 acres set aside at: "Waiau, Tautuku, Stewart Island,, and Pejorus Sounds, so tnai each person will receive, in all, 50 acres. He had been able to obtain other benefits for the Natives. He had done good work, and he hoped they, would continue to. support him. Ha asked them not to forget that it was by his efforts, activity and influence, not only with the, Cabinet and the Liberals, but also with the Opposition, that he had succeeded in securing land for the landless, medicine and doctors for the sick, pensions for the aged, and free education for the. children. There was a "movement on foot by some members of the Young Maori Party ,in the North Island to do away with Maori members, but he wished, to enter a strong protest against any such action. . His opponent was in favour of one law for the Maori and Pakeha. He warned them that if this came to pass they would, have ho Maori members. This is surely" no-C-fche wishrofthe Maori people of this country. At the present time there were very few members in the House who understood Native matters^ If no Maoris