Maori Statistics.

Maori Record : a journal devoted to the advancement of the Maori people, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 July 1905, Page 8

Maori Statistics.

Before giving the figures of the last census we should like to quote what Professor Keane has to say on the number of the Polynesian population m the new volumes of the “Encyclopaedia Britannica.” The Professor has always placed the Maori high in the standard of humanity, and in his aspirations be voices the hopes of thousands on the old continents, who, viewing the natural capabilities of the race, hope for a destiny equal to, and in companionship with, the Anglo-Saxon. After speaking of factors which have tended towards the decrease of the Polynesians, he says ; “Most of these abuses have been checked or removed, and the results may perhaps be detected in a less accelerated area of decline, which no longer proceeds in geometric proportion, and seems even almost arrested in some places, as in Samoa and New Zealand. If such indeed be the case, perhaps the . noblest of all primitive races may be saved from extinction; and the Maori, the Samoans, and Tahitians may, like the Hawaiians, take their place beside the European as free citizens of the various States of which they are now subjects.” Now beside this we place a paragraph from the last issue of the New Zealand Year Book, Section X., “The Maori Population,” which appears to repudiate on the part of the Government all responsibility for special effort in shaping the ends which the Maoris themselves are rough hewing. It is from a departmental report of June Ist. 1901, and is as follows:—“ The reports of enumerators and sub-enumerators contain much of interest. Crime does not prevail in

any marked degree. The natives as a whole are becoming more and more temperate every year. The drunken orgies that were once common are in a great measure things of the past. In several of the reports reference is made to their adoption of the European style of living; some are sheep farmers, others cultivate the land, while others engage in various forms of remunerative labour. Every year the spread of settlement brings them into closer touch with their Pakeha neighbours, and subjects them to the influence of European example. Their ultimate destiny must remain a matter of speculation.” In his report to the Health Department Dr Pomare says on Maori - statistics :—When we come to deal with the statistics of the Maori population we find them to be most unsatisfactory, as in a great many instances returns were nothing but surmises. Nevertheless no one for a moment can doubt the steady decrease that has set in within the last fifty years. The returns were made by conscientious men, but frequently a good deal of the returns were mere guesswork. This was due to two reasons: First, because of the troublous times then existing; and secondly, the unreliable sources of information. So in calculating we have to deal with generalist ions rather than correct figures. The question naturally arises as to whether the Maoris are increasing or decreasing. And bright as are the hopes held out by the last census of their increase, yet the Maoris have been gradually but surely decreasing. A casual glance at the attached figures, though at times mere estimates, will show that the death-wail of the Maori is only too true. Who has not noticed the gradual decay, the deserted villages? What Maori living will not tell you of the numerous inhabitants that have been?” In the investigations which have been necessary for the production of our paper, we have been actuated by a strong desire to give the Government credit for their operations touching the Maori people, and it has been with extreme regret that we have found so little to commend itself to our praise, more especially in respect to land transactions and land legislation. It is, therefore, with pleasure that we interrupt the thread of the Health Officer’s report to say that wo behove that the increase in correctness in the enumeration of the Maori people is solely owing to the interest taken by the Government in the matter, and consequent on the money spent by that Government in obtaining as true an enumeration as possible. Since 1878 war and troublous times have not been a factor. Again no previous Government has done so much as the present in checking the spread of disease by special inspection and sanitary regulation of the residence areas of the Maoris; and lastly, the passing of the Village Councils Act and the administration of that Act will, with the improvements anticipated, earn for the present Government an undying fame as one which has earnestly attempted, and we believe with success, to stem the tide of depopulation and the sinister march of depletion by disease, which had set in long before its advent to office. It is only when the equipment of the Maori to compete with his white brother in the struggle for a higher state of existence and the fulfilment of all the duties of citizenship is mooted, that the Government

appears totally wanting in effort. We should also like to say that we believe there has really been an increase in the population, though a small one, although the deaths among the population have been very high. But where European habits have been thoroughly acquired, as in the South .island, the increase is very noticeable, not only in the half-caste branches, but also in Maori families, and perhaps more especially in those Maori families which have half-caste blood in them. And we think the colony is to be congratulated upon the result of the mixture of blood. To return to the report of the Health Officer : —“The census has only been correctly taken since 1878, and even then several tribes were not included, and that is why you will find that the returns decrease and increase in an astonishingly contradictory way. The matter of census can now be adjusted with correct returns by getting the Maori Councils to do it, which I suggest should be done.” ESTIMATES AND CENSUS OF THE MAORI POPULATION UP TO 1901. Year. Population. 1858 56,049 1861 55,336 1867 38,540 1871 37,502 1874 45,470 1878 43,595 1881 44,097 1886 41,969 1891 41,993 1896 39,854 1901 43,143 INCREASES AND DECREASES.

“Thus you will see that since the year 1858 the death-roll has been 12,905, or an average decrease of over 280 per year. Since the year 1874 the numbers have been fairly uniform until 1886, when we find a sudden drop, showing the decrease between the years 1868 and 1896 to be 16,195, at wnich average it would nob have taken very long for the native race to become extinct. As most of these early numbers were only estimates, I have grave doubts in regard to the number of deaths which are supposed to have occurred at that time. Wars and disease have been accounted as the chief cause, but mainly disease. With the introduction of civilisation came destructive diseases, which have proved fatal, and will prove fatal, till the natives have acquired immunity like the Pakeha. The last census gives the assuring increase of 3289, which I hope will now be maintained, and will be the commencement of better days.” With a fairly full knowledge, we have no sympathy with the views in the following paragraph : —“The Maori census as taken by the Government is not seriously regarded by educated Maoris. Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., told the A alive Trusts’ Commission on Tuesday (the Wellington Post states) that the Government census was far from being accurate. When the guileful uneducated Maori is approached with requests for imormation concerning his relatives, his lands, and his stock, he is struck by the idea that increased taxation is in view, and he gives microscopical estimates of all he possesses.”

Year. Increase. Decrease. 1874-78 ... — 1,875 1878-81 ... ... 602 1881-86 ... ... — 2,128 1886-91 ... 24 1891-96 ... - 2,139 1896-1901 ... 3,289 —