A MAORI ORATOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 21 November 1907, Page 4

A MAORI ORATOR.

KAIHAU DENOUNCES NATIVE LAND BILL. AND RENOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT. (Spocial to Timos.)

WELLINGTON, November. 20,

Hcpiaro Ida ilia u, member lor tho West Const Maori District, is tho biggo*t man in the Now Zealand Parliament. Ho is considerably over six feet, and weighs moro than 20 stone. As a. general rule his Legislative duties sit lightly upon him, and he prefers the quiet ease of a “lvianga” in tho wilds of tho Waikato to tho civilisation of tho capital and tho liurly burly of Parliament House. On rare occasions, however, when ho rises in tho House of Ropresentatives, tho easy-going goodnatured Honaro becomes suddenly transferred into tho impassioned Maori orator, and tho Houso and tho galleries listen spellbound. mist night he made a groat spioech on tlm second trending of tho Maori Land Bill. Ho is tho ono Maori member who cannot speak English, so ho avails himself of tho services of tho interpreter, Mr. Barclay, who is never at a loss for a word, and who speaks bettor English than any member in tho Houso. Tho modulation of Honaro Kaihau’s voice .and his wondorfully impressive gesticulation compel attention, while tho effectiveness of his oratory soems to Jose little, if anything, becauso its meaning comes to English ears second hand per medium of an interpreter.

Last night Mr. Kailiau was ill his best form, and ns tho ladies’ gallery and all tho other galleries wero patched, and tho House itself was unusually full ho had a good audience. His denunciation of tho Bill was emphatic and his renunciation of tho Government and .all its works in respect to tho Maori equally so. “I liavo,” lie said, suddenly stretching forth his great arm's, “ always supported tho Governmont. 1 have supported them for many years, but look at mo now. I liavo boon thrown away where I will never bo seen by anyone.” The idea of tho burly Kailiau being “thrown away” and his boing “invisible” was too much for lion, members, and they laughed loudly, hut Kaihau was not disconcerted. Lotting his voice sink to a quiet silver tone ho said, “I remember one occasion on which t-liero was a very closo division in this House, ami tho Governmont only won by one vote. That was my vote, (laughter) but now they say ‘What’s tho use of your vote?’ But I toll you I was not returned to this House by you (tlio Government). It was my people who put mo hero, but I have assisted you and kept you in those seats (laughter). Now I warn you that tlio clay is coming when you will sink into insignificance (laughter). No man can stand in ono position for over, and you are not going to do that.” Finally Mr. Kaihau warned tho Government that they could no longer rely upon his support. His halt hour’s limit having been reached he pleaded with Mr. Speaker for another half-hour. “I have an immense amount of material which I am bursting to lay before this Houso,” ho said, dramatically holding up five plages of condensed notes, and tho Houso laughed again. “Now, Mr. Speaker, are you going to stop mo, or let mo go on?” he asked, pleadingly, and there being a chorus of “ayes” and no dissenting voice, the Speaker gave tho necessary permission, whereat there was .a. hearty round of applause. The Maori member then gracofuHy thanked Mr. Speaker, and tho Houso was plunged once more into denunciation of tho piropiosed legislation. If it wero agreed to, he said, tho Houso would be so full of Maori petitions that members would not bo ablo. to get .into it, and their pxiopdo would take the matter to England, and place it before the King. He concluded an impiassioned speech by moving “ That the Bill bo read a second time next year,” in order that it might bo properly considered by the Maori people.