THE SYSTEM OF FEELINGS OR AROHA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 11, 1 July 1862, Page 9

THE SYSTEM OF FEELINGS OR AROHA.

To the Editor of the Maori Messenger. My Friends,—l said to you in my last letter relative to Maori feelings, that I should conclude the subject, which I now do. This is in reference to the mere feelings of men {i.e., apart from right, principles,) defending those persons who do wrong.

If one does wrong his relatives uphold him in strengthening li mby iheiraid. Although judgment is given against him, »hey (ihc relatives) do not lake the trouble to reflect whether the accused be right or wrong; no, theirs is simply an appeal to Hie feelings, and, in consequence, evil gets the upper hand or good (or wrong is allowed to have the power over right). Is this just? Kiliis be setup as the standard of jusiice, there will be no safety for individuals, and men will not be able to exercise the virtue of patience, nor will they be disposed to seek after those things which will advance thorn in the world. Let none of you say. *• We do not practice these things." Friends, do not say so, for you all alike are chargeable with this wrong, it is the practice of all your families. Each one. fa supported by his friends, and action is taken accordingly, the feelings, and not justice, moving the adherents of the wrong doer. The evil of this kind of love is, the strengthening of men iirUieir bad practices. "Who will not be afraid, being shielded by their friends—nor will they regard law, they will follow the inclination of their own feelings, whether good or evil, and disappro.ed of by the many. There are many evils arising out of this Maori mode of acting Thi* is one. A Maori is ac-rused of doing wrong, and ihe judges, after investigation, decide the cast' against him He is H.ied, and Un< tunning to pay it, but hi* relative <<>hl f\.,. ;-,;,„ . u}i | pay the fine How cm it be otherwise since their feelings are wrought upon ? The man does not feel condemned in his mind knowing there is help tor him What need of fear on . bis part ? He will continue to pursue a wrong course, because he has many friends io help him—to save him from punishment. Those who are innocent suffer, they feel pain, but the wrongdoers escape, because this loving system, or system of feelings, is persisted in. If you say that this is a good system, such an assertion is merely your opinion; but my opinion condemns it as being very bad. If you adhere to this system, you will not advance to be a nmion of Chiefs, nor become rich, but you will continue to be a poor people wi'h no Influence. Sufficient is this letter of mine. On some other day 1 will write, my object being to make bare your evil doings. From your loving friend, i * •.' .rw.~ Uhuroa. June 6th, 1562.

To llie Editor of ihe Maori Messenger. Sm.—These things now written are the reflections of ihe heart which has understanding, looking at things as they take place in the districts which have been proclaimed by ihe Government, for ii is seen | thai «ome of l!n Chiefs have mu'h know-; ledge in framing laws. Why are those per- i sons who are bent upon doing evil, per-) mitieri to pursue that wrong course? Why | do not those who have been called upon to restrain evil doers who are placing obstacles in-ihe w;ty ol others anxious to do good, exert their authority? Now this is the opinion put forth, that all should respect the law not by the utterance of words merely, not by fine expressions of approval, these are mere flatteries to gain something. The Scriptures have pointed out right principles of action ; thev say,. 'Let not ihe sun go down upon your j wrath,"and they also tell us to redeem the lime, to do good things only. We are not to waste (ime in foolish things ; but we ase to do good, which will produce good fruit. If we do evil its effects will be fell by the badfrnUU brings florin. Thesime fountainwi I not send forth salt water and sweet, nor will the fig bring forth thistles : nor can any man increase his own stature. There are, perhaps, some of those personswho have been recently appointed Native Assessors strengthening the hands of ihose who are causing evil to grow up. It is not the law that approves of evil, but it suppresses evil, and dispuiings, and other matters that injure the persons ol* men. Let all these wrongs be regulated by law, that is to say ha the Magistrates be allowed to redress grievances,'although their work be very great, yet the blood of men will not be spilt if they be permitted to adjudicate, but they will be able to do rightly according to their own judgment. From the friend of you all, Good-Thinker. Auckland, June 241b, 1862. Taranaki, Te Poutoko, February 22nd, -1862. Friend Governor Grey.— Salutations to you. Come in peace, conic and bring love to us, come and see this land which you left straight, but which is now crooked, having the flame of (ire as a residing place, and din for a garment.

Friend, we have received your newspapers nn J have seen iheir dispute with you. Your questions were quite right, hut theirs were not; they concealed their sentiments because dII the men were not in fa\ourof that Maori, some wore, and some were not. It is those who are in favour Of him who have fallen into sin. AH of us here residing at Okuruknru' do not approve of that Maori, our dislike to him was of old. Hearken, we ourselves are the mana over our own land. Friend the Governor. The year in which we commenced our rejection, was from 4858 lo i ß.*>9, our letters are with Te Tapihana Tiriwa and the Runangas of that king, those letiers of ours were refusing to have anything to do with that king, as we did not approve of him. Hearken, although those men may say lo you that all are of New Zealand, our answer is, that there is but one name for cattle, and yet there are many different kinds, some are black, some are white, some red and some grey. There are many different hapus among cattle, as there are many different characters among men. Some are in favour of that king and others are not. Friend the Governor. We do not approve of the name of a chief being brought upon us or upon our land. We do not approve or his having any aulhoi ity over us ; what we approve of is for each man to be over his own piece of land and over his own tribe, whether of inferior rank or not. We do not approve of our coat being taken by another man, being left in the cold. We will never have anything to do with him. Enough of these words, when we receive a word other words will be seen {i.e. when we receive an answer we will write again). Enough. From your loving friends, Te Kali Rualuriwhati, Ropati Te Rangikapuho, Hopa Taraikamo, Tailuha Te Hua, Wirihana Kaeaea, And from all the assembled Ngaiiuenuku residing at TePoutoko, numbering 27 men.

To Ihe Editor of the Maori Messenger. Friend,—Tbis is a word to you. There is a man named Hohepa Tamamuiu, whose settlement is Oruanui at Taiipo, who is very kind to European travellers or strangers,

supplying thero with, provisions, and giving l them accbmmodatioh in his bouse. When Hohepa came lo Auckland, the Europeans looked upon him with pleasant faces. He was also invited to partake or refreshments in the houses of his European friends, and thus he has learned the lesson that kindness begets kindness, and feels the truthfulness of that saying so often spoken of, that men should be as brethren. From your Friend, , ~ Atawhai. Auckland, June 2, 1862. To the Editor of the Maori Messenger. Friends,—Salutations to all br you. This is a matter relative to our journey from Taupo lo Te Awaoieatua during which 1 experienced great kindness from one of the Arawa Chiefs named Puehu. He was most liberal to us both [i.e„ Mr. Law and self] and honorably entenained us, giving taro, eels, kumaras, and melons. He manifested great friendship to us during the whole of our journey from Te Awaoteatua to Maketu. 0 friends, the man of kind feelings is not likely to be forgotten, and I have, therefore, sent this account to the " Maori Mes senger" that the people who are residing at distant places may know or read about his kindness. Now the men who are not kind will hoi have their names borne along for their hospitality. Sufficient are my words; will you send this to the press. From your loving Friend, HOHEPA TaBIAMUTU.