LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13992, 25 August 1909, Page 4

LOST OPPORTUNITIES

Without going into the political arena, there was a large field in which they might have produced great results. They might have united their people in a raoial union, when the power of unity would have commanded respect. In such a combination- every effort for the moral and -tocial uplifting of their people would have had immediate effect. As it is, their people remain in ignorance, and are suffering from wasted opptorttfmties ; neglected by those who profess to lead them. Much has been expected of these enthusiastic young people in the way of helping to settle their people upon their lands, but, as will here be seen, they really have little ! power to influence their race in such matters as the disposal of their land. After thirteen years, the influence of the party te little felt beyond tho hast Coast where It emanated, and even there the Hau Hau and Mormon sects are increasing in numbers, and the Government Native schools are being shut up in opposition. Then there has been a great opportunity wasted on the WestXJoast, wnere a smouldernut discontent exists consequent on the unjust and iniquitous misappropriation by Government of the land the Crown granted to the loyal Natives who fought on, our side during the wars. Attain, last year, when the seers ot Parihaka, To Whiti and Tohu, died, there, was a great opportunity for the Yoitog Maori Party also neglected. Have tha teasers ever considered the grSft dissdvairtaKflS jtho Maoris on the SCwest Coast suffer under In the Safe dl Native schools there? *^mXb a travesty, what a satire on morality, what a pulling of political strings to make the moral platitudes onSie Young Maori Party subservient to "he exigencies of a pol^al party mwn m removing Te Rangihiroa (Dr P. H. Buck) from his sphere of useful icss as health officer for the Maoris to k the dummy position of a Maori member of Parliament. Here is a native of UrenuH-a West Cto»st MawHwU annotated with tho

many Krievancrs of his people there, a fit and proper candidate to oust the jiltiny; >neirl)er for the Western Maori District, if and <iphitmg of the Maori ia.ee wa> to have any con•»ideration! But why continue:- Untortunnt^ly there have been many such v/aateJ opportunities, and all who wi«.h well to the Maori race must deplore this inherent weakness of their character, which makes them as clay in the hands of the potter: a iwoph? without tho faculty of combination, a people without a' leader, distracted by tribal divisions and rival schemes. (To be continued.) ===== >.