MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

“TOO LATE: YE CANNOT

ENTER NOW.” (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Ngata and his playful comrades changed their tactics in opposing the Governor’s magistrate who was sent to uphold pakeha law among the Maoris. They found that the King's Runanga and Tamihana’s peaceful measures served their purpose better than violence. To concur in the magistrate’s judgments but never obey them made him harmless.

A flock of 500 sheep was, “removed" from the farm of a white settler and when the magistrate had given judgment for their immediate return, a party of young Maoris told him to “Mind his own business,” as they had the matter in hand on behalf of their King. Under threat of attack by a Maori king’s war party, the sheep were restored by the thieves.

The Government failure to enforce judgments was due to their anxiety to avoid a disastrous and widespread war. Wiremu, Tamihana and Ti Oriori of the King’s Council concurred" in this policy. Their party on one occasion came in force and rescued a Maori against whom judgment had been given. Rewi and others however, concurred in the judgment so they made a collection of £5 to pay the fine. This was entrusted to Rewi, who thought it would beter serve the cause of peace by being devoted to his party’s funds. Firmness on our part, and a more considerate attitude toward the King party would at that opportune moment have produced complete unity between the two parties'whose differences were due mainly to our ignorance of their language and inotives, .and their similar darkness and fear of ours.