NEW ZEALAND NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES ASSOCIATION.

... About ciiiondred:"- natives of New Zea-' land " have met at Wellington and formed an Association for benefit, literary and social objects. This is not a Maori. Mutual Improvement Society, as might be supposed, but an organisation of persons of Caucasian race who happen to have been bom in the land of the Maori. This seems a rather slender distinction upon which to found an Association, for, of course, the initiators of the movement do not claim that the fact of being born in New Zealand makes them any better than their brethren who may happen to have first seen the light on the other side of the globe. Nor will it be contended that the fact of nativity under the Southern Cross ought to confer any additional privileges upon the happy individuals so blessed. Apparently the fact that there is an Australian -Natives' Association in existence in some of the continental colonies is relied upon as supplying justification for the starting of an imitative organisation here. There have not been wanting insinuations and direct assertions that the New Zealand Natives' Association was being promoted with an ulterior view, and the fapt that the uew society has been warmly championed. by Sir Robert Stout and the Post is adduced as presumptive evidence of its design. The Women's Social and Political League at Wellington declined to be present on the occasion of the society's inauguration for two reasons— (l) That the exclusiveness of such a.n organisation would not conduce to the welfare of the whole colony, and (2) that there was a probability of a connection between the formation of the Association and the general election, which connection, in the opinion of the League, rendered the Association a mere election machine that would not do any good, but would merely confuse the issues.

The founders of the society have "explained " that the Association will take no part in "party" politics or in the discussion of religious questions; but it is evident that they interpret this restriction very liberally. In the same sentence that they, named the things to be avoided, they intimated that the society would oppose the teaching of religion in State Schools — a question which at once raises religious discussion, and which may any moment develop into a "pai-ty " one in the politics of this colony. The profession of non-partisanship is thus shown to be a mere disguise, and the society just formed may be expected to evolve into a political organisation as the general election draws near. If the society should succeed in inducing young New Zealanders to take a more lively interest in the polities of their native land it will render valuable service wherever it is established. So far from politics being barred, that subject should form the chief object of any such society. But the pretence of being non-political ought not to be put forward to deceive the unwary. From various indications it is pretty clear that the " Natives " aim at being a sort of juvenile branch of the National Association, and everyone knows how the last-named organisation, starting with high professions of non-party principles, has thrown off the ni afcfc, and now stands confessed as the jigiiting- arm- of the Conservative Party. Doubtless i we sHiall have, an attempt niajie to start a branch of; the New Zealand Natives' Association in Christchurch, and the public here will then be able to judge, from the personnel of those taking part, as to the value of the professions of political neutrality which may be made.