MAORI LANDS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13728, 18 August 1908, Page 2

MAORI LANDS.

WHAT THE NATIVES WANT.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT.

As the outcome of the recent conference of the Maori Association, a petition, signed by over 4000 representatives ot every tribe and hapu in both islands, praying for .the removal of restrictions on native land, has been prepared for- presentation to Parliament as soon as it re-assembles. The following is a translation of the petition : — "To the. Speaker and Hon. Members sitting in assembly in 'the House of Parliament. Greetings to you. "The prayetf of your petitioners witnesseth: — *'

"I. We, the Maori people of New Zealand, who dwell under the mana of our father, King Edward VII., are being oppressed by the laws which are being made by youfr honourable House in regard to our lands and our possessions, that w© are sinking down to ultimate destitution. "2. Commencing from the Treaty of Waitangi down to the present day, the two races, Maori and European, have been living together, and the Maori people have boen watching, learning, and acquiring all the 'mahi' (trades, industries, duties, and pursuits) of the Europeans, inoluding the knowledge obtainable in the schools and colleges. "3. The proper time has how arrived when all the disabilities should be done away with which now Oppress your Maori people and their lands, their goods, and their properties. "4. Therefore we humbly pray that wo be given the entire right to control and administer our surplus lands similar to the right which has beeri given to the European people/

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