LETTER OF IHAKARA TUKUMARU.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 13, 16 August 1858, Page 8

LETTER OF IHAKARA TUKUMARU.

(CONTINUED.) I will tell you the things of this island which have been lost; the kumara, convolvolus root, fern root, the guana, and the Maori rat; to like manner the Maori customs are dying oat before the good customs of the Pakeba, and I think that the Maories now should be called hal&castes, because the Pakeha is their father. The Maories has repudiated his parent Hiueitengaere, who taught him to weave garments. 1 am exceedingly anxious that we should adopt the good customs of the English people. To what purpose shall we maintain our old custom j and ideas. Shale off tbete evH things of a by gone day, deceit, the evil eyo, threats and overbearing on the part of one tribe towards another. * Unfortunately the Maories are not agreed among themselves, they are divided and therefore will not prosper as a people; there is nothing upon wftfctt the roots may take hold, and the sun of England is shining strongly to burn up the seed tubers;of our

island of New Zealand; that is, any system of our own. Friends here is another word of mine to you all, it is a word respecting our land. I disapprove of the land holding system pursued by the Maori Chiefs; it does an injury to their own people and to trade. Have they ho feeling for their own people who are wearying themselves in planting wheat, potatoes, corn, and in various other works which the hearts of men prompt them to undertake but which cannot be properly carried out for the want of Pakehas at this place, Manawatu. Therefore 1 say, let part of the Manawatu be sold, in order that the benefits which are derived from the presence of Europeans may be ours also. We are living in ignorance with respect to commercial matters, because there are no Europeans here, therefore I say—-let us have many Europeans, thai so trade may increase, and that we may live in comfort. It is not well for the Maori Chiefs to withhofchall their lands; it will be wiser to dispose of a portion to the Europeans to settle upon, that they may dwell near us and carry out among us their good system: let us however carefully secure to ourselvessuch land for cultivation as may be required for our subsistence. lam quite willing to part with my land, but I do not feel quite satisfied to pursue this course alone; I would rather that all should unite in doing this, which is perfectly right and proper. If you consent to join me in this work, then success will be ours and all will go well. From your friend, Ibakara Tukumaru.