The Premier at Papawai.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 11933, 5 April 1902, Page 2

The Premier at Papawai.

GOVERNMENT NATIVE POLICY OUTLINED. MAORI VOLUNTEER COMPANIES. (PEK PIIESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington, April s.— The . Premier and MrsSeddon attended a large .meeting of natives at Papawai, Wellington^ on Friday, in order to bid them farewell. There was the usual programme of hakas, feasting, and speech making. • 'The Premier, in the course of an address, made some important statements of the Government policy with regard 1 to the Maoris. It was intended \o spend money in roading and snr- j veying Maori lan^s which to the j extent of over 1,000,000 acres had been handed over to the Maori Councils by the native owners, and these lands would be leased to settlers by the Government for. the benefit of natives. The Government would also establish mounted volunteer corp's of Maoris all over the colony, and be hoped within six months to have five thousand men enrolled under officers of .their own ru.ee. ready to be trained for the defence of the country. Be had discussed the scheme with the new commandant, Major-General Babington, who had warmly approved of it. The chiefs and people would have a voice in choosing the officers, and these would then be trained in their duties at Wellington prior to being placed in command of their corps, the Govern tnent paying their keep during the period of training. In the event of our own men being drafted away for any purpose we should have a force of Maoris upon whom, we could rely to defend New Zealand. The Premier added that when he went to England ho should ask the Kink's advisers not; again to refuse the offer of Maori Volunteers to fight for the Empire. General Babington, who was present, briefly addressed the Maoris, and said he bad every confidence >in saying he could train them to be good soldiers. He was' anxious to teach 'them all he could in the hope that some day he might have tHe honor of leading them into active service. The statements of the Premier, and General Babington re the Maori mounted corps were received "with loud plaudits by the natives present. Before leaving the Premier was the re-, cipient of a number, of, gifts from the Maoris. A farewell address to him, and an address for presentation to the King are being prepared, and will be offered for his acceptance next \veek by a deputation of chiefs who will come to Wellington. "