MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 6 October 1936, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for <‘The Daily Times,”) GENERAL AND PROVINCIAL LAWS In 1852 Queen Victoria, when pro-, roguing Parliament, said “she hoped the Constitution might promote the contentment and welfare of that distant but interesting colony. ’ ’ In his analysis of that expression “pro-rog-uing,” i't is interesting .to recall the serious, allegation of a notorious rebel chief who had acquired a fair knowledge of our language. He told the Governor “that the use of the word in regard to the new Parliament in Auckland was an open admission that they intended to deliberately rob the Maoris of their lands—pro (before), rogueing (swindling! ”) The Act. then introduced was for a General Assembly composed of the Governor and ten members of the Legislative Council.appointed to the Crown for life, with 24 to 40 Members of the House, elected by those having "the franchise, for 5 years. It is a pity those numbers are not adhered to today. We would have had more work and less talk. The qualification was £SO freehold or £lO leasehold, a precaution against the mischief making professional agitator. The Assembly to have the power to make laws which must agree with those of England. A civil list not to exceed £16,000 was provided for; £7OOO of-which was for Native purposes, the remainder for the •salaries of the Governor and the Judge. Six provinces, Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Nelson, Otago, and Canterbury, each ruled by the Superintendent elected for four year®. Thei Provincial Council to make its own daws excepting customs, law courts, measures, port duties, lands, criminal, and inheritance. The Governor to- have, the power of veto within three months.

The qualification of 1846 which made it compulsory that every Maori voter must be able to read and write English was abolished, making both races equal at law in the matter of education. Thirty per cent, of the English voters could not write!

Many people thought the machinery was too large for the ship. Quite \ a number isaid the Crown should nominate the Superintendents; but most were gratified that the highest office of the province was open to the poorest, and that these motives for industry, wealth, and fame existed.