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Report on Petition of Maihi P. Kawiti and 269 Others.
Petitioners urge several objections to the Native Lands Bill introduced during the present session, but since withdrawn.
They assert that it is even worse than the Native Lands Acts of 1873 and 1874, and that death would be better than life if such torture is to continue. That, while objecting to the proposed new law, they also earnestly pray for the repeal of the laws of 1873 and 1874.
The petitioners also pray for the removal from office of the Native Minister, and that some person be put in his place who will turn his attention to the making of good laws which will not rob them of their land—clear laws, which will result in the union of the two races.
I am directed to report as follows:—The Committee regret that the time at their disposal has not been sufficient to enable them to make such inquiries as would justify them in reporting an opinion on the subject-matter of this petition.
John Bryce,
Chairman.
[Translation.]
Ko te Kupu a te Komiti mo runga i te Pukapuka-inoi a-Maihi P. Kawiti me ona hoa e 269.
E whakapuaki ana nga kai-inoi i etahi kupu whakahe mo te Ture Whenua Maori i whakatakotoria ki te aroaro o te Paremete i tenei tau engari i unuhia ano ki waho.
E ki ana ratou e kino atu ana tenei Ture i nga Ture o te 1873, 1874, a e ki ana ratou e rangirangi kau ano te mate i te ora, te waiho tonu hei taunuunutanga mo nga tau maha e haere ake nei. A i te mea e whakahe ana ratou ki taua Ture hou e inoi ana ratou kia whakakorea atu nga ture o te 1873–1874.
E mea ana hoki nga Kai-inoi kia whakamutua atu a te Minita mo te taha Maori kia whakaturia tetahi tangata hei riiwhi mona ka tahuri ki te hanga i nga ture pad ekore nei e tahae i o ratou whenua, i nga ture marama e kotahi ai nga iwi e rua.
Kua whakahaua ahau kia penei atu ki te Whare:—E pouri ana te Komiti notemea kahore ratou i whai taima ki te uiui i nga tikanga e taea ai e ratou te whakaputa i tetahi whakaato ma ratou mo runga i nga kupu o tenei pukapuka-inoi.
John Bryce,
Tumuaki.