MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1938, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

FAILURES BRING SUCCESS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) A report of the four days of discussion on New Zealand in the British House of Commons in 1845, revealed a complete ignorance of our conditions and requirements. Of the 395 members 172 voted against the New Zealand Land Company’s Maori land transactions and 223 in their favour. A petition drawn up in eloquent terms by Alfred Domett, the New Zealand poet, 'detailed the miserable condition of the pioneers and the glaring incompetency of Governor Fitzroy. All agreed that self Government was the only solution. During the debate news arrived of the burning of Korora reka and the defeat of our troops. The Commons at once reversed their vote and favoured Domett’s appeal. Troops, warships, ammunition, and money were at once despatched. The Secretary of State, doubting Fitzroy’s capacity, sent Captain George Grey, Governor of South Australia to take the reins. Heke and Kawiti were still in fighting trim. Te Heu Heu the great Taupo chief, told Donald McLean that Heke was right, and that the English were a greedy people, wanting to conquer all nations. Remote settlers kept watch night and day, the Maoris brought many false rumours of their victories, akin to the modern war correspondents. Heke was glorified as the first Maori leader to defeat England’s trained troops, and the deliverer of his beloved country. Bishop Selwyn remarked that “out of evil often comes good. Fitzroy’s bankrupt finance brought large grants, of money, and the fall of Korora reka large bodies of troops. Fitzroy lost Korora reka but saved New Zealand.” His policy was vacillation where failure is certain and success impossible.