HONGI'S WARNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1917, Page 2

HONGI'S WARNING.

"BE BRAVE THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ENSLAVED." ("Mercutio" in t-lio New Zealand Herald) Reference to New Zealand history brings to mind some memorable words, littered hv lfongi Ilika, the turbulent leader of the Ngapulii, which are curiously applicable to the present day. The mighty chieftain, whose mime had spread terror from tho North Cape to Tort Nicholson, summoned his people to what he felt to be his deathbed, and gave to tiiem some stirring advice. "If ever there should land on this shore," said the tattooed Napoleon, "a people who wear red garments, who do not work » . . who always have arms in their hands, tiien beware that these are tho people called soldiers, a dangerous people, whose only occupation is war. When you see them, make war against them. Then, 0 my children, be brave! Then, 0 friends, be strong! Be brave that- yoji may not be enslaved, and that your country may Hot become the possession of strangers." And Slaving said these words, he died. However mistaken Hongi Ilika's conclusions may have been regarding the British soldier, his words could easily be made the text for a sermon against the militarism which has plunged Europe into a vortex of blood these past three years. As for his concluding advice, "Be brave that you may not be enslaved," how well has that principle been followcd hv gallant Belgium, bv Serbia and by Rounmnia, and how well it might be the battle-cry of every Allied soldier taking the field to-day against the overhearing menace to the freedom of tho World. Yet in the absence ai systematic teaching of history, words like theso are doomed to remain in oblivion, unnoticed save by the casual student.