NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 23, 17 November 1874, Page 279

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Hemi Warena of Manawatu ought to know that we have nothing to do with the proceedings of Judges of the Land Court. Whatever complaints he may have to make, should be forwarded to the Chief Judge or to the Government. We may say, however, that it is impossible his statement can be correct, because all decisions are given by the Judge in open Court; and before any decision is given, the Clerk of the Court invariably calls upon all persons who may wish to oppose, to come forward and state their objections. Every case set down for hearing is published in the Maori Gazette in time for all parties interested to be made aware of it; and if any fail to attend, the fault is presumed to be their own. Further, if any man have reason to consider himself aggrieved, the law makes provision for enabling him to obtain a rehearing. Hone Heihi, of Reporua, Turanga, 'writes us a long letter, the gist of which is, that when he meets old friends and jovial companions, he cannot resist the temptation to drink, and that, therefore, the Government ought to stop the flow of " rum " at its source—ought to '•' erect a stone bulwark against it." He says the " Parliament is about to abolish Provinces ; how is it that it cannot suppress " King Alcohol ? " If Hone Heihi cannot of himself resist the temptation to drink when he meets his "jovial friends," how can the Government restrain his inclinations ? If the Government were to prohibit the introduction of spirits into any district, they would be obtained surreptitiously, and the evil would become greater than before. The Government is not possessed of supernatural power, and it cannot, therefore, influence men's appetites and desires. If a man indiuge his lusts and passions to such an extent that he becomes a nuisance and a source of danger to his fellows, he will be restrained or punished, as the case may be, by the governing laws of the country, and that is all the Government can do in the matter. The Government has no power independently of the people. It is a creation of the people, and must, therefore, be guided by the wishes of the people. If the great majority of the

people were unanimously determined to put down drinking habits and the manufacture of intoxicating liquors, they could do so. They would only have to signify their desire to the G-overnnient, and there would be no difficulty in the matter, because the people and the G-overnment would be working together. But if the great majority of the people be determined to maintain the liquor traffic, the G-overnment will be powerless to abolish it. The people, therefore, require to be influenced in favour of the abolition of the liquor traffic before any effective steps can be taken in such a direction ; and every man who exerts himself to restrain his lusts and desires is doing something to influence his fellows, and to educate the people. Our Maori friends, however, miist remember that the Maori race forms but a very insignificant portion of the " people." Under that head must be classed all the inhabitants of New Zealand in particular, and of the whole world in general. "We are receiving so many letters from our Native correspondents on this subject, all written, apparently, under the impression that the G-overnment have absolute power to stay the importation of spirituous liquors, that we have thought it necessary to go into the question at somewhat greater length than we should otherwise have done. We have received a very lengthy letter from Hoani Maka and others, containing a most circumstantial account of a journey they lately made from Whangaehu to Waipukurau and Porangahau, by way of the 70 Mile Bush. We are informed of what they got to eat at each stopping place on the road, who they met, what they said, and what was said to them, &c. They express their admiration of the estate of the Hon. H. R. Russell at Waipukurau, and occupy a considerable space in describing his ploughed land, wire fencing, &c. The letter is not of sufficient interest for publication. A number of the Natives of Whangaehu write to say that they are determined not to sell any land at Taangarakau, in the_ district of Whangaehu, and they wish the Pakehas to be on their guard against any persons who may offer such land for sale. The Natives of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, are very irate about the TJrewera presuming to put forth claims to land at Waihi, through the Land Court. Our Wairoa friends must attend the sittings of the Court, and state their objections before the Judge. The letter from Henare Nawaia, Ropata Ngatai, and others, of Kennedy's Bay, about their mining rights, has been sent to the Native Office in Wellington. The Rev. Gr. P. Mutu writes to say that since he forwarded us the account of the anniversary of the Kaiapoi school, (which appears elsewhere), Mr. and Mrs. Reeves, the master and mistress of the school, have resolved to attempt the instruction of some of the children in music, and that Hira Mutu and Hana Horomona have accordingly commenced taking lessons on the "piano." Others are to follow in due time. The Rev. G\ P. Mutu anticipates a time, in the " far off future," when the Maoris will not be " listeners only, but performers." Letters received from Hutana Taru and Raniera Hoia.

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