THE MAORI KING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 662, 14 October 1933, Page 6

THE MAORI KING

head of hliss people INTERE STIN G EXPLANATION OF REASONS FOR MOVEMENT ANALOGY WITH EMPIRE An .interestiri'g - explanation of the support accorded Ihe "king" movement by the Maori tribe s of New Zealand was given to a . "Post" representative yesterday by a member of the Ngati-Porau who attended the recent coronation ceremony at Waahi Pa, Huntly, when Koroki te Wherowhero was crowned, fifth of the line of Maori "kings" following the death of his father Te Rata Mahuta te Wherowhero. Thes Maori "king" movement had its beginning in 1858 when Potatau te Wherowhero was elected "king" to lead the nation in their resistance to the acquisition of their land by the Pakeha. The movement in the beginning was predominantly among the Waikato tribes but it was later supported by a large proportion of the North Island natives. The land acquisition question, although still recurring .in a modified form, has long ceased to motivate the natives in preserving their line of "kings" and it was explained that the chief reason for the movement is' now the desire to have some recognised figurehead ahout which the traditional ceremonial of .the Maori can revolve. Tribal Allegiance Following the death of Mahuta, representatives of the nine canoes and of afll thje tribes -in N!ew Zealand formally promised fealty and support to his successor. At first sight it may appear difficult to explain the acceptance of an overlordship on the part of the chief of one particular tribe by the representatives of the remainder. In the earlier days, inter-tribal rivalries and jealousies would have made such a position impossible, but it has now been supported and even enthusiastically acclaimed by tbe Maori people almost as a whole. The reason, it was explained, was the necessity for some leading figure qualified by descent and family, who could Stand as the acknowledgvd head and ruler of the people. The new "king" of course, is very much a limited monarch, with no actual jurisdiction beyond that of influence over his "subjects." But he is, at the same time, .the re-incarnation of the old tribal idea that placed the chief in the position of guardian and representative of the sovereign rights of the tribe, the centre of tbe ceremonial dear to the Maori heart, and tbe figurehead wbo stood as the visible leader of his people. Analogy With Empire The position, it was explained, was in many ways analogous to that of the Empire which' has its monarchy as the focal point of its kindred interests. lEach of.the component Dominions, as each of the component tribes, was recognised as an individual entirely possessing jurisdiction over its own aff airs but acknowk dging the leadership of a common head. It was felt that the establishment of a Maori "king" give tbe various sections of the Maori people a common leadership which would tend to draw them. together for the common good. The late Mr. H. E. Holland, in his last speech at the tangi before his untimely death, refe'rrtd very aptly to the position when he pointed out that there were now three separa.e and disti.net movements animating the Maori people — the land settlemciit movement led by the Native Minister (Sir Apirana Ngata), the religions movement and the "king" movement. Mr. Holland suggested that all these were worthy of .ihe fullest ■support but that they might with more effect, be combined into one. Another important ceremony in connection with the crowning of the new "king" is expected to take place toward the end of November when representatives of the various tribes will present valuable gifts as tokens .of their loyalty and allegiance.