AND THEIR BEST RICHES ICNODRANDE. OF WEALTH."—COLDSMITH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 258, 24 July 1908, Page 3

AND THEIR BEST RICHES ICNODRANDE. OF WEALTH."—COLDSMITH.

• Sir, —An effort is being made to raise tho ; Maori to a higher civilisation, but if History is tlia past teaching lessons to the future, surely our Legislatures and others interested .might take a lesson from tho disastrous effects of the strain of a high civilisation upon'the working people of our own race and withdraw their, exortions from so hopeless a task._ The Maori certainly gives evidence of a high-class mind and best, evidenco of a love of simplicity and truth : but the melancholy fact / must be stated if' we change their simple habits Nature will have no morcy and will sacrifice the perforinor. Dr. Buck gavo valuable advice at the Congress when he- said "a healthy body was infinitely more to be ■ aspired to than success in arts, crafts,, or clorkships, if sorvico in these occupations produced ill-health." Dr. Pomare, too, spoke truth when ho said, "Was the kitchen atmosphere conducive to ■uplifting?'? Decidedly not. The farming life is best adapted to the Maori; it is there that his soul and mind will expand and grow, while in offices or any professions which demand a sedentary .life lung troubles must be the inevitable result. Life spent 'with the highly civilised whites must leave its impressions on the Maori girls in destroying that simplicity and generosity which knows no distinction but treats with courtesy all her peoplo, poor and rich alike. Life'to us is too'ljarrow. "Mark where Indolence aiid Pride .' Soothed b.v Flattery's tinkling sound Go softly rolling sido by side, . i Thoipdull but daily round: To those, if Hobo's self should bring * ; Tho purost cup from -Pleasure's spring, Say, can they, tasto tho flavour high . Of sober,,simple, genuine joy? . Happier, the Maori, far, From the pangs'of passion free, ' ' That breathes the keen, yet wholesome, air ■ , • Of rugged penury, ' He, when his morning's ta.sk is done, : Can slumber in tho noontide sun, And hio'liira'hoine, at oveuing's close, To sweet repast and calm repose. He unconscious whence the bliss, Feels and owns in carols rude, That all tho'circling joys aro his, Of dear vicissitude. . From toil ho wins his spirit's light, \ From busy day the peaceful night, Rich,'from the very, want; of "wealth,' In Heaven's'best treasures, peace and health."' . ■ . ' ; : '- T M.W. '' " July 18. -• ' -