MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 March 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

IRON FOR AXES, GOLD FOR SHOW.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”)

The excitement in New Zealand over rich gold discoveries in Otago gave rise to exaggerated reports of even greater “finds” in the Coromandel Peninsular. The Auckland newspapers, deeply concerned with the exodus from the Queen City to the El Dorado of the far south, published exaggerated reports of allegedly richer fields much nearer home. These riches deposits were supposed to be on closely guarded .Maori lands: but the Maoris would not permit prospectors to encroach under any pretext. To them lhe “soft metal” (mea kutera) was merely a pretext for annexing their only symbol of immortal life, the land. “Iron made axes and guns; but gold made nothing but show.”

The press advocated force of arms, the Crown made' vigorous efforts and tempting offers in vain, the diggers threatened to take the law into their own hands in defiance of the Maoris and the Government.

The Maori King's Council offered to take sole command and to protect the owners if either party attacked them. A great meeting was held at Piako attended by the Maori King and a large body-guard and several thousand Waikato Maoris in a body. On the side of both Maoris and Europeans war seemed to be inevitable. A rush of Otago diggers was expected to join the Auckland crowd. The Government feared the result of force, and vainly sought to acquire mining rights by peaceful means. The tact of Sir George Grey alone saved the calamity of war. The opposing owners were few, one of them a woman of influence. The Governor’s Mana (influence), especially with the fair sex, was well known, so success was inevitable. The obstinate owners did just what he (and she) wished.