“PASSING MAORI MEMORIES.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 452, 8 June 1937, Page 2

“PASSING MAORI MEMORIES.”

RECORDED BY J.H.S. FOR “THE TARANAKI CENTRAL PRESS.’’

Armed For Wars. On Queen. Victoria’s birthday 1857 the second session of the Maori Parliament met on the Waikato river bank, attended by 2000 Maoris and a few settlers. The flag presented by William IV with a placard “Potatau, King Of New Zealand” was hoisted by one party, find the Union Jack by another. Iwikau te Heuheu demanded a Maori custom house at Kawhia, then the principal port, total separation from the Pakeha race, and their ultimate expulsion. Te Wherowhero, a pensioner, was hailed as Maori King, against his. wish. His flag was sent to distant tribes to gain allegiance. Money was subscribed to uphold his dignity and £lOO to found a printing press. i The Governor was alarmed and Government house was surrounded by a high embankment and a deep drv ditch. The 58th Regiment, about to sail for England, was disembarked, and the Militia reformed. . The Governor was urged to seize <£ the King.” but the Ngapuhi and many settlers declared him to be a» enemy against whom only a Don

‘ Quixote would dare to fight. Governor Browne wisely visited the Maori i king, who asked for the enactment of Maori laws to promote peace. At this critical juncture, smugglers ' and dealers supplied the Maoris with I firearms, and several tons of gun- ! powder were stolen from Kauau I Island by Coromandel Natives, but ?e- ■ stored after entreaties for peace. ' Those illicit dealers, like modern ■ abettors of Zaharoff, little knew or ■cored for the suffering and sorrow . that followed their greed. Governor ! Browne actually relaxed Sir George ; Grey’s Arms Act, and within six months many gun shops and Australian ships supplied guns by the thousands to Maoris, who used them with deadly effect between themselves and . upon us. Even in that early day, an educated Maori Chief reminded our Governor •hat the French disarmed the Arabs •n Algeria before they could be inluced to turn to cultivate the land. Also that. England, who forbade arms to Ireland, should make peace to both races here by the same means. j A Parliamentary Committee in ISSB actually reported that it would I be unwise to stop the sale of arms.