The Maori of the Past and the Maori of the Present.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VII, Issue 9, 31 May 1860, Page 1

The Maori of the Past and the Maori of the Present.

In former times gross darkness pervaded the land. The Maori was a savage—superstitious, cruel, bloodthirsty. "Blood for blood" was his only law. Every man's hand was against his neighbour, and his neighbour's hand against him. Warsand rumours of war convulsed the people. No tribe was exempt. The aggressor of to-day was the besieged of to-morrow—the tyrant of one time was the oppressed of another. The thick veil of heathenism clung around the minds of men, and the service of the Evil One prevailed. The Maori of the past was little better than the beast of the field. He wore no clothing; his house was rude and uncomfortable , he subsisted on fern-root, rarauhe, wild rats, and, occasionally, human flesh. He knew no quiet through life, and in death he entered a dark and unknown eternity. Thus lived theJVlaori of the past and thus he died/

But another day dawned. The Christian Gospel blazed its way through the land, the tide of civilization followed it, and the Maori was raised to the rank of enlightened man. The British planled a colony in their midst, and every Maori from the "North Cape to Stewarts Island, and from coast to coast, is participating ia the blessings of this new epoch. The garments of the pakeha give comfort to his body; he lives on food introduced by the while man; he has been taught to construct a more comfortable whare; and has every facility afforded him for becoming prosperous or wealthy. He has forgotten the taste of aruhe for he now cultivates his potaloe field ; and instead of snaring wild rats he kills his pig. Where is the Maori who would exchange his present condition for his past? Where, we ask, is the man who would willingly put aside his warm blanket and comfortable apparel—who would leave his potatoe and pork to feast on karaka, aruhe, and kiore? Where is the man who would, if it were possible, blot out from his memory the teachings of the missionary? Where is the man who would be content to let the pakeha withdraw, and take away with him his commerce? We repeat, where ? The pakeha settlers and traders have gone forth into their midst, and carried with them the comforts and necessaries of civilized life. Let them now withdraw and the Maori would soon cry out for their return. His blanket in tatters, his pipe empty, his hatchet worn out, his clothes threadbare and ragged—how he would long for the pakeha store, where to replenish himself! For many years peace hassubsisted between pakeha and maori. The maori sold at first a little land to the pakeha, and when he found that the pakeha's riches enriched him he sold a little more. Thus year after year land sales hove been negotiating—the natives parting with their lands only where and to what extent they please,—reserving the best country—always receiving a fair remuneration for the portions ceded, and reaping a double advantage in the enhancement in value of their remaining lands by ihe settlement of those districts.

A. 1 And >vho will say that the Government, has in a single instance taken land without paying for it, or wronged a niaori of his territorial rights ? But this' peaceful relation between the two races is being disturbed. The settlers are grieved to licar the foolish "King" talk of some of the tribes, they are annoyed about the silly "land league," they are "indignant for Wi Ilingi's wicked interference in Te Teira's sale of land and his rebellious bearing, and for the foul murders perpetrated by theNgatiruanui. Some of them talk of withdrawing from among them, others have already done so. Thus the Kawhia settlers have all removed and Kikikoi is left to his mournful lament.— 4 'Now no object meets my eye But the warriors of Tipare. Thus my disappointed love Which had fancied thou wert near me, Like the torrent swol'n with rain Pours its tear-drops ceaseless flowing; Like a wearied, wounded bird To some quiet shelter flying!"