MISSIONARIES AND MAORI TROUCLES.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 152, 9 January 1869, Page 4

MISSIONARIES AND MAORI TROUCLES.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Slander—Ljiug Accusation.—DicD'oaory. Sir, —To attack any man, or body of men, who preach from the pulpit and publish in a newspaper any argument or matter whatsoever, is both English and gallant; it becomes public property. The Rev. Mr. Lee has a double advantage over me—he can preach from the pulpit, and publish in the paper, whilst I have the paper only. Let your correspondent stick to the text ; that what the Rev. gentleman calls a wicked slander (i. c. a lying accusation), I say, and will maintain, is the truth and nothing but the truth, and by the trutli I mean that which one knows. Now, Sir, to my mind, one sound argument is as good as fifty ; but if one is not enough for your correspondent, “ 0.N.E.,” I will do as men do who drive a nail into a post—if one blow is not sufficient, 1 will use 20. I once, about 27 years ago, travelled from Petoni in company with Maori Davis (or as he was better known as missionary Davis), about the time that Mr. Milne (I think that was the name), was murdered it was supposed by a native. Now Mr. Davis was fortified with a case bottle of rum, and true religion, I suppose. At least by the time we reached John Lodges, at Kia Wara Wara, Maori Davis was drunk ; and in answer to some remark, made by one of the company as to the murderer of Milne, he (Davis) said, “Oh, Kapia, Cain killed Abel; God tatooed him, and let him go ; all the same as to Taranaki.” Will the Rev. Mr. Lee dare to say that is slander (i. e. a lying accusation) ? When Governor Fitzroy took Rauparaha to task about the murders at the Wairau, 1 was told, and it was so published, that be said he was like St. Paul; he had persecuted the Church of Christ, but he was a missionary now, and knew better. Is this also a lie 1 Widrop, a missionary of the Rev. gentleman’s persuasion. Pah Pipitea told me himself, he could not see how David was a man after God’s own heart, when he set Uriah in front of the battle to get his wife. Let me ask will the Rev. Al r. Lee call this slander ?

But for want of space, not, believe me, for want of matter, do 1 leave this subject; but I hope I have already said enough to justify my assertion- that to missionary teaching, and missionary influence, do we owe nearly all our troubles with the Maori. As to the 3rd, 4th, sth, and 6th paragraphs, I answer, I do not know. I never had any connection with what a Rev. gentleman called the scum of rascaldom. I never classed the missionaries with such ; it is “ 0.N.E.,” and not I, and I wish him joy of the connection. His question looks like a schoolboy caught flagrante deticte, who attempts to excuse himself by saying, “It was Jack Jones, sir, as well as 1.” I beg pardon, I did know one very religious man, of the Methodist persuasiod, who got 2 years in gaol for selling the Maoris guns and ammunition ; his name anyone can get at your office chat are curious in such matters. The soft admission that the missionaries have failed to christianise the natives does not argue much for your advocate, Rev. sir ; and the still softer question, “ Have I never met among my own countrymen those who put their religion on and off, as Te Rauperaha did his blanket?” My answer is, to the best of my recollection I never did, but I have met scores who have used religion as a cloak for their nefarious designs, both upon Maori and pakeha. To conclude, “ What,” he asks, “has 1800 years of Christian teaching done for W.N., and those who think with him.” I answer, that was a little before my time ; but, on turning over the page of history, I find that the Roman Empire was first subjugated to Christianity by the sword, —that the sword, for centuries, was its nhief propagandist,—that Europe, the land of Christianity, has been the theatre of intrigue, avarice, and ambition. We see councils in the earlier ages authorising any iniquity,— Christian crusades spreading desolation on every hand.—blood flowing in the fields, and on the scaffolds,--tortures used as arguments to convince. Such has been Christianity before my

time ; thank God, that time is past, a brighter future is in store for us ; and, as for as the personal part of the question, it has taught me to think for myself, aiid fearlessly speak the same ; to hate hypocrisy ; and, as far as in me lay, do my duty* to my feliow-man.—l am, &c., W. N. / —: