MAORI CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2246, 18 July 1908, Page 2

MAORI CONGRESS.

PAKEHA AND MAORI. LOCAL OPTION TO NATIVES. [Pkess Association.] WELLINGTON, July 17. To-day at the Maori Congress Messrs A. L. 1). Fraser and Hemes, M-P.’s, delivered' addresses on the question, “Has the'time arrived for removing legislative . distinctions between the pakelui and Maori?” Mr. Fraser urged that the Maori should be placed on the same electoral roll as the pakelia, and allowed to vote for the caudiate lie thought best. Mr. Herries agreed with him in the main. He denied that there was any color line, and said lie thought they would intermingle with the pakelia as one people. The Englishman was a mixture of Celt, Saxon ■ Norman, and Dane, and produced a distinct nation. He hoped there would be this coming link of pakeha and Maori in New Zealand. He looked forward to the day when the future New Zealanders would boast of the Anglo-Saxon and Maori. blood in his veins. The Congress to-night discussed the question of local option to Natives on thg liquor question. It was resolved:—“That this Congress heartily approves of the petition so largely signed by ih e Maoris in favor of local option, and earnestly hopes it will receive immediate attention from .tho Government.” A deputation of lead'ing chiefs "was appointed to present* tho petition to tlie Prime Minister at an early date. The following resolutions were earned—“ That in the opinion of this Congress it is desirable that the study of tile Polynesian language should be encouraged in connection with the University of New Zealand, and that for the purpose a committed he ap9'?] “red to confer upon , the subject of the University and the Councils 'of affiliated Col'leo-es stick committee to consist of'the--1 resident (Sir Robert Stout). Mr S Percy Smith (President of the" Polynesian Society), Dr. Hocken. Mr Justice Chapman, Professor McMilft n Brown. Archdeacon Walsh Mr. Eledon Best, Mr. R. D. D Al<v Lean, Bishop Williams, Mr. A. Ham. dton, Dr. Newman, Mr. A. H. Turnbull, Air. A. T. Ngata. M.P., Mr. E Tregear. Dr. Buck, Air. H J FIT* M.P., Professor Id.. B. Kirk, Rev. T Simtnonds. Air. Hamilton to be com vencr. “That it be a direction from tins Congress to tlie various IMiiori Councils as at present constituted to collect in tlioir respective districts all available legendry lore, traditions, va ata (noems), proverbs, and songs and send them to an executive to be appointed in Wellington.” ”