TE WAKA MAORI.

Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 2, 4 September 1878, Page 21

TE WAKA MAORI.

As many of our Native friends may not have seen the circular which we sent out some time ago relative to the publication of the new Waka Maori, we reprint it below for the information of those who have not seen it:— The Waha Maori having been wrecked by political storms and opposing currents, the late editor of that paper has great pleasure in informing the Maori chiefs and tribes of New Zealand that he is making arrangements for getting another Waha afloat to take the place of the foundered craft; with this difference, however, that the late Waha was under the influence and subject to the supervision of the Government, while the new craft will be essentially a Maori vessel, navigated, and owned to some extent, by Maories themselves, and altogether independent of Government influence. The natives in this country are the owners of a large and valuable landed estate, they are equal in intelligence to the generality of their Pakeha compatriots, and they evince a keen interest in the political economy of the Government. These facts ought to place them in a position which would enable them to bring to bear no small influence on the deliberations of Parliament, and the framing of laws which vitally affect their interests. At the present time, however, owing to the want of a medium for giving public expression to their views, their wants, and their grievances, they are unable to make their influence and their power felt. It is not so with the Pakeha. Questions affecting the interests of the Pakeha are, by means of the newspapers, ventilated and discussed from one end of the colony to the other, and thus a pressure

is brought to bear both upon the representatives of the people and the G-overnmeiit, which cannot be ignored. But the Maori has no means of making his voice heard, except through the medium of men professing to "be his friends, whereas they too frequently prove themselves political schemers and intriguers, seeking only to gain their own ends regardless of the welfare of the Maori. The editor of the Waka, which is now about to be launched, is desirous of remedying this evil as far as may be, and not only affording to the Natives a means of expressing their views on any question affecting their interests, but of promoting and encouraging an interchange of sentiments between the two races inhabiting these islands. Notwithstanding past disagreements and misunderstandings, there is much kindly feeling existing between the two races towards each other, for the expression of which the paper will afford facilities to each at present unattainable by either. With the assistance of a number of Pakeha gentlemen, who are desirous of affording the Maories the advantage of possessing a paper of their own, advocating their true interests and supported by themselves, the editor of the late Waka is preparing to get another craft afloat—and he depends upon the assistance and co-operation of the Maories throughout New Zealand to keep it afloat. So long as he receives their encouragement and support, he will stick steadily to the helm of his vessel, and navigate her in a straight course, regardless of wind or tide, storm or calm. The Waka will be launched from Turanga, and the subscription will be 13s per year, payable in advance. Any Native or European desirous of becoming a subscriber is requested to be good enough to forward a post office order for that amount, together with his address, to the editor at Grisborne, upon receipt of which the paper will be sent to him. The Maories may rest assured that the new paper will ever be found fearlessly supporting the cause of justice and truth. From your old friend, James G-rixdell. G-isborne, March 9th, 1878.