MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 February 1939, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

PETITIONS PIGEON-HOLED.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

Under the influence of pakeha conditions entirely new to them, there arose within the tribes and families a discordant note hitherto quite unknown. The inter-tribal discord and its common danger had almost disappeared. In its place came the evil influence of indulgences hitherto unknown to these simple folk. The result was the King movement against which we showed unreasonable and unwise objection.

Wiremu Tamihana in 1857 pleaded earnestly with Governor Browne for his moral support in setting up Potatau as the first King of the Maori race. He quoted the words of .Moses: “The King by judgment established the land,” and many other passages from Scripture; but all in vain. He pointed out that the most profitable trades by unlicensed and unworthy white men was the sale of rum to its wretched victims without restraint. Instances were given where hogsheads of spirits were traded to the Maoris in the remote villages, and in the streets of Auckland without objections. 1 The chiefs of practically ,every tribe had petitioned successive Governors to rescue their people from this curse; but the matter was pigeon-holed because Government services and licensed “victuallers” depended upon its revenue.

Even fictitious orders from Europeans were held by the magistrates to exonerate the sellers of huge supplies of liquor to the Maoris. Minutes were found endorsed by the Governor and his ministry suggesting excellent means to meet these disgraceful conditions; but the pigeonhole still covers them, and the petitioners are dead or dying without rescue.