MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1939, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

CONTROL AND EDUCATION. (Recorded by J.H.S. for "Times-Age.”) In very rare instances of serious offences by Maoris against Europeans, the Government had to rely upon negotiating with the Maori rangatira (chiefs). Great help was given by the missionaries, and they were almost the only ones who held the key to confidence, a knowledge of the Maori tongue. Potatau (the gateway to spirit land), with the honour of “King,” was consulted and generally succeeded in securing redress. Such were the relative numbers of the Maoris as compared with Europeans, that even in the streets of Auckland Maori offenders could defy the law. To arrest a Maori for drunken riot caused by our own imported poisonous liquor was so gravely unjust in their eyes that we left them severely alone because of the risk of war. Our unarmed men in the country districts, with their women and children, would have been taken and held as hostages until full utu (satisfaction) was given. The police were therefore instructed not to arrest a Maori offender without the authority of “Kingi" Potatau. This indicates how poorly even the elementary duties of our rule —protection of life and property—could be carried out. As to the real education of the Maoris, they realised, far more readily than we did, that it should fit them to live under the altered conditions, to enjoy , life and liberty, and, above all, to gov- . ern themselves. ; Instead of this, we sought to teach j them foreign languages, academic sub- i jects and theology, to the utter neglect ; of their own beautiful tongue, practical 1 Work, self control, and ideal worship of < nature. i