Page:Notes on New Zealand (1892).pdf/258

248 certain landowners and large farmers, generally in the North Island, resort occasionally to the employment of the Maori natives. It may be doubted, however, whether any advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, is derived from adopting this course, for, although the labour of the individual Maori is decidedly cheap, yet he is usually accompanied to the scene of action by the whole of his tribe, men, women and children, the old and infirm, as well as the babies in arms, who have all to be supported by the employer while the work is in progress. One of the reasons alleged why some of the old and wealthy