MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

TAMIHANA PLEADS FOR PEACE. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.’’) The Bishop of New Zealand pleaded eloqquently, but vainly, that they and we should be one nation. The main point of controversy was unity of nations (Kotahitanga), the first encounter being rival Sunday sermons. Wiremu Tamihana’s morning text was “Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity,” and illustrated by the complete unison of the Maori tribes under their King in place of the once constant tribal wars. The profound effect upon the vast Maori audience was told to the Bishop who made another conclusion from the same text at the afternoon service, urging the great need for union of the Pakeha and Maori under one law and one Queen.

The tactful Bishop who had for-years pleaded with the Maoris for forbearance on behalf of their own widows and children, now asked them with equal eloquence to think of the Pakeha in the same way.

One result of the Bishop’s appeal was that Wiremu Tamihana and his great band of followers appealed to Rewi Manaiapoto for peace. Though ’they did not agree, he would hot quarrel vflth them and thus risk the unity of the Maori race in their desire for independence. His fear of Pakeha conquest of all their land ’and his love for Maori freedom and peace kept him loyal to the Maori King movement as the only solution. There was another alternative by which to avert a disastrous war, to exchange the land at Tataraimaka for the block in dispute'at Waitara, but our Government would neither do this nor acknowledge their King.