Native Land Laws.

With regard to the subject of the native land laws, I do not know that I need trespass much on your time tonight, as I propose to devote a special evening to the treatment of that subject, which is one of very great importance an importance scarcely realised by those who do not understand the state of the law affecting the aboriginal population. It has caused me the gravest anxiety for the fate of the North Island. The manner in which these aboriginals are pampered up by Stout and Ballance, making of them a kind of black aristocracy, is perfectly ridiculous. Why, at this moment not one of them need pay his debts unless he likes, while the white man must. The white man is placed under the heel of the Maori. It is a disgraceful state of things, and, if returned to Parliament, I will do what in me lies to put things on a better footing. (Applause.)