MAORI AND PAKEHA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1929, Page 7

MAORI AND PAKEHA

(Otago Times.)

The lecture delivered by Dr Fisher before the Institute of Pacific Relations last week on tbo subject cf “Cultural Contacts in New Zealand” may possibly be regarded as somewhat in the nature of a corrective to an over-complacent view on the part of Ihe people of this country of their success in dealing with the problem presented by the existence in it of two different races. Most visitors to the Dominion express themselves in terms that are very complimentary in reference to the manner in which they find Europeans and Maoris dwelling side Iby side apparently in harmony, and in circumstances of mutual esteem. Their opinions, to which they are led by a 'comparison of New Zea land with other countries in which a racial problem exists, are naturally gratifying, but Dr. Fisher would seem to imply that admiration of this kind has rather turned the heads of our people in this particular relation. Doubtless it is well that they should not be encouraged to form an unduly high estimate of the credit that is due to them for the partnership, reasonably successful at least, that has been established iby the pakeha with the Maori in the occupation of these islands. * , The relations that subsist between the two races might not have been attainable had the Maoris not been the people that they have shown themselves to be—a superior and adaptable people. Dr. Fisher offers the suggestion that the numerical factor hud been helpful in promoting an adjustment of the relations between the two people on satisfactory lines, It is difficult to resist tho conclusion, he has observed, that the white man found it convenient to treat the Maoris justly because there were so few of them. Perhaps it may be conceded that if the Maoris had been more numerous the adjustment of relations between the two races would have been rendered more difficult than it has proved to be. No doubt, too, Dr Fisher was right in saying that a good many people would be surprised to learn that the Native Minister in 1929 could still describe one-sixth of the Maori population of the North Island, ns “sullen and suspicious.” Tho reference is to a speech of fascinating interest that was made last month by Sir. Apfrana Ngata durine tbo AddfeSs-in-Beply debate, in which lie spoke at some length upon the conditions—especially the economic conditions—under which the' Maoris are living. What the Minister actually said was that, the Waikato tribe, comprising about one-sixth of the Native population of the North Island, presented a peculiar problem. The approach to' them psychologically, he explained, had been most difficult, and the reason of it was that the Maori wars and the confiscation which supervened upon those wars made the Waikatos one of the most suspicious and sullen tribes so far as the advances of tbo pakeha were .concerned. “They have,” he added, “ simply refused to follow the pakeha, wlio, according to their belief, treated them badly in tlje past.” Sir Apirana Ngata made a strong' and stirring plea for a solution of what the scientists call the problem of cultural adaptation in respect of the Waikato people. *

As reported, Dr. Fisher’s statement respecting the proportion of Maoris who regard t'lieir European neighbours with suspicion is liable to create a rather erroneous impression, and it seems necessary that the point that the Minister of Native Affiairs was referring to one tribe only should be emphasised. On the whole, it ;s not an unjustifiable conclusion that the problem connected with the. association of two different races lias been solved more satisfactorily in New Zealand than in any other country which could bo cited for purposes of comparison. The white man learned in the beginning to respect the Maori for his qualities, not least lor bis prowess and his chivalry in warfare, and it may be hoped, that the basis of mutual esteem upon which the two races inhabit this fair land is too secure ever now to be endangered.