MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In 1857 the Maori population was estimated to be 32,000 males and 24,000 females. The Europeans numbered 27,000 males and 18,000 females. In each case these proportions were calculated to result in decrease, but immigration saved us, whilst our guns reduced the Maoris to at least an equality of sexes during the subsequent wars. Sheep had increased to 1,600,000, cattle 100,000 and horses 1000. Tame pigs in the hands of both races were estimated at about 10,000, and wild pigs beyond count, c The only export in respect of live stock was wool, £146,000. Bread, cost 7|d per loaf, beef and mutton from 6d to 8d per lb. and pork 3d which was sold as “Palestine mutton” to the Jews at 6d. Of 2000 Europeans convicted in the Magistrate’s Courts in the year, more than half were for drunkenness, which was also rapidly increasing among the unfortunate Maoris; but because of the stigma cast upon the moneymakers who supplied the raw evil smelling rum, little notice was taken of their growing degradation, and few were prosecuted.. The culture produced by facilities for travel was then rare, the steamship was yet unknown and very few settlers knew anything outside their own home settlement.

In the House' of Representatives each of the 37 members was distinguished by a medallion bearing the letters M.H.R. Of these 23 were English, 8 were Irish and 6 Scotch. The Maoris who owned the country were ignored. Among the members were 7 lawyers, 4 doctors, 2 magistrates, 5 merchants, 2 editors, and the rest were battling for a living. Historic names in the House included Sewell, Clifford, Fox, Swainson, Dillon, Bell,, Whitaker, Hall, and Stafford. For several years there was no legislation concerning the welfare or protection of the'Maoris, perhaps because no member had any knowledge of their language. Not one of them could even question the poetic or fantastic meanings assigned to Maori words in the Treaty of Waitangi.