MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 January 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

PUTAKE (THE CAUSE.) (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) A government officer travelling through the Waikato in the capacity of a commissioner who had every confidence in the Maori integrity, was never robbed of a single article, but treated with the utmost kindness. Their instinctive recognition of one’s attitude and intention toward them was said to resemble that of a pet animal to a kind master. Intercourse with chiefs of every shade of opinion and temperament made him familiar with the cause of their revolt against our rule, and the reason for their holding aloof from Sir George Grey’s well intentioned, but too obviously patronising advances. The British Press asserted that when a brown and a white race came together, the former must inevitably disappear, and that the American Indian obliteration was less cruel because more speedy. Against this crude and cruel theory many eloquent appeals were made through the press, the pulpit, and the public platform. It did not occur to us then that our own Christian theology and civilisation were neither suitable nor acceptable to the Maori people. They could not and would not abandon an inborn belief in the marvels of nature and their Men ngaro (unknown cause) or their own worship of these tangible and manifest works of the mysterious Mana (power) of an unknown Atua (God). Nor could they understand or appreciate our belief in a creator who would punish their errors by Ahi Ka roa (everlasting fire).

The quarrel with the Maori would have been avoided by a wiser and more broadminded people than ourselves.