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Reports of the Native Affairs Committee, 1876.

Report on the Petition of Wi Hakiro and 336 Others

Report on the Petition of Wi Hakiro and 336 Others.

Petitioners pray that Maoris be allowed to sit on juries, that all the laws be translated into Maori, that the number of Maori members in the House of Representatives be increased, and that greater facilities should be given them for the purchase of gunpowder.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, in reference to the right of Maoris to sit on juries, the Committee are of opinion that "The Juries Act, 1868," makes ample provision for the existing state of things. These provisions had not however been brought into force, and cannot be brought into force until the Governor, in exercise of the powers vested in him by the Act, shall make certain rules and regulations. The Committee recommend that the provisions of the Act should be put in force, and Maoris be admitted to sit on juries in the limited number of cases specified by the Act.

The petitioners also ask that the laws should be translated into Maori. The Committee cannot recommend compliance with this request to the extent asked, but they are of opinion that all laws specially affecting Maoris should be printed in the Maori language, and be widely circulated amongst the Maori people.

In reference to the demand of the petitioners that the number of Maori members of the House should he increased, and that greater facilities should be given for the purchase of powder, the Committee consider that these are questions of policy upon which they are not called upon to pass an opinion.

John Bryce, Chairman.

26th July, 1876.