FALSE RUMOURS.
We must again caution our Maori friends against giving credence to the many false rumours which reach them from time to time Where or how these rumours originate it is often difficult to imagine; but once afloat, all seem to help in their circulation by repeating them wherever they go, and often adding something from their own inventive imagination. Our readers will remember the story told them in the " Messenger" not very long ago, about three black crows. Many of the ridiculous
which find ready circulation among them would, if traced to their origin, prove to "be very like this wonderful story of the crows. We have just heard that there is a rumour abroad amongst the Natives to the effect that it is the intention of the Governor, when hostilities at Taranaki have been suppressed, to seize on the lands of tribes who have remained peaceful, in order to meet the expenses of this war. The effect of a rumour of this kind is yery mischievous. If believed in, its tendency is to weaken the confidence of the friendly tribes in the good faith of the Government, and to excite a false alarm. We therefore take this opportunity of expressly contradicting it. The Governor has no such intention. The tribes who remain neutral in the present struggle will not be molested in any way. The more intelligent Natives must be aware of this. Any other course would be directly opposed to those principles of justice and equity which have always regulated the conduct of the Government in their dealings with the Native people. We regret that there are persons who even take a delight in fabricating these evil reports and promoting their circulation. Some do it from sheer wantonness, others for ulterior &nd sinister motives. It is well, therefore, that the Natives should be on their guard against such, and not be too ready to believe a report, however unlikely in itself, simply because John or Thomas or William " has told them so." Before believing or even repeating any questionable statement that may reach them, let them ascertain whether it is true or false. This may be readily done by writing to the Governor, or
to the Native Secretary, and asking for information. In this way much needless misconception and alarm might be avoided.
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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 March 1861, Page 4
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387FALSE RUMOURS. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 March 1861, Page 4
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