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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Rare Volume

Extracts From Report From Mr. Fenton, R. M., As to Native Affairs in The Waikato District. (Dated Whaingaroa, March, 1857.)

Extracts From Report From Mr. Fenton, R. M., As to Native Affairs in The Waikato District. (Dated Whaingaroa, March, 1857.)

(Printed by Order of the House of Representatives.)

"1. The feelings and desires of the Maori population with respect to their present social and political position may be succintly stated, as they are entertained almost with unanimity, although the plans by which these desires are proposed to be effectuated are various and conflicting. Recognising generally the advantages derived from the European connection, they are still conscious that they are gradually losing ground before the greater individual energy, and more complete social organization of the whites; and they are anxious to arrest their downward progress before the disproportion of the races shall render the attempt hopeless. They observe that the Government of the country is more anxious to obtain possession of their lands for the augmentation of the intruding body, than to elevate the present possessors, and admit them amongst themselves as a component part of one people, and they desire therefore to devise measures which shall tend to advance them in civilisation, and entitle them, at some future period, to demand the rights of citizenship on terms of equality. They perceive that Government is unable or unwilling to elaborate and prosecute any scheme by which law and order may be introduced and enforced in their villages, and they now seek, by their own intelligence and activity, to discover some means by which these desirable objects may be attained. They observe that, though they have followed the injunctions of their rulers, to live peaceably and cultivate the habits of industry, yet they have made little social progress, and their political status is daily becoming of less consideration. They rejoice that the old Maori 'ture,' severe in its penalities and unjust in its application, has fallen into disuse, but lament that the superior intelligence of their governors has devised nothing to replace it. They remember the constant interchange of politeness and diplomatic courtesy that has taken place between the chiefs and each successive Governor, and they recall these attentions with satisfaction, but they also ask what mean these good offices from the representative of the Queen.

"They know that when an assault is made, or a murder committed, a reprehensive article is written in the Maori Messenger page 31 or a letter is despatched from the Native Department pointing out the sin of what has been done, and urging the Maories not do so again; but they have failed to observe that punishment follows guilt with more frequency than reward accompanies virtue. Finally, believing that the cause of the regular success, and the origin of the imposing position of the European body, exists in a perfect concentration of action resulting from order and organization, they have resolved to use their utmost efforts to introduce these prime requisites amongst themselves."

"The following are the principal plans which are entertained and advocated in the Waikato district;—

"(1.) That an assemblage or parliament should be formed, to be composed of men deputed from each tribe, and that Te Whero Whero shall be made King of New Zealand.

"I have been present at several of their meetings, but have never heard this plan advocated, though I have often heard it condemned."

"(2.) There is a second class who suppose that the substitution of the title 'Governor' for that of King, would avoid most of the objections connected with the former, and might possibly meet with the approval and support of His Excellency. Their idea is, that a Maori Chief should be named by them, and, having been instituted into office by the European authorities, should be a sort of second consul, specially charged with the supervision of the Maori interests—that he and his secretaries should be supported by the revenues of the country, alleging as a ground for this claim to support, that the Maoris are large contributors thereto—that he should have power to summon a 'runanga' resembling the General Assembly which meets annually to adjust the European interests, which 'runanga' should, with his consent, make laws and appoint officers—that he should be charged with the peace of the country, and the execution of justice therein—and that when he died, of became incapable to act, his successor should be appointed according to their custom, by the voices of an assembly of themselves.

"The number of Maori politicians attached to this creed is few, and may be easily enlisted either amongst No. 1 or No. 3.

"(3.) The third class appears to me to comprise the great bulk of the community. ...... The active part of the agitation is page 31 principally in the hands of the most intelligent of the middle-aged men, though the old chiefs, without much actual interference, lend their influence, and approve of the proceedings.

page 32

"The plan is, to establish in each large village, by popular election, a 'runanga,' or council, consisting of about 12 men, the duties of which council shall be to make laws for the government of the village. These laws will touch the Maori race only, and will deal with such subjects as women, cattle, trespass, fencing, growth of noxious weeds, adultery, theft, slander, pigs, canoes, taus, taumau, and spirituous liquors."