MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 April 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

GOVERNOR VERSUS POLITICIANS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Governor Grey, well versed in the Maori language, laws and land tenure, decided to make a personal and private enquiry for {limself as to the history of Tataraimaka. With the keen instinct of a detective officer, and an instinctive knowledge of Maori mind and language, Sir George came to the truth of the whole question as to the real ownership of the Waitara land, which had been the cause of so much bloodshed and bitterness between the races. If the facts of original ownership by the tribe and their occupation of the land as a protection against their enemies, the Ngatimanaiapoto, had been made known to Governor Browne, he would never have purchased it from Teira, who was merely an occupier without title. Sir George, therefore, suggested that in common justice the Colonial Ministry should give up all claim to the disputed land. The Ministry, having spent so much money and argument in support of their own theoretical belief, were in a quandary. If they accepted the Governor’s advice they would be discredited by their political opponents and the British Parliament. They had openly agreed with Colonel Browne when he had declared that the Tara-naki-War was not about land, but about sovereignty. While the Governor and his advisers were debating the time-worn Waitara question, the Maoris were not as inactive as they pretended. It is not their way to act hastily. Rifle pits were being dug on the disputed boundary. With the Governor’s departure for Taranaki, the Waikato Maoris under Rewi Manaiapoto expected an immediate renewal of war. This diversion will form the subject of tomorrow’s “Memory.” o