MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

look brave, and you will be.

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) So far as ones early recitals from our forbears 60 or 70 years ago, or childhood memories which seem to be indelible, the impressions of Maori nature, custom, and character were entirely different to what we hold today. There was perfect freedom, no restraints, laws, taxes, police, government, or governor —only mutual needs and interests. Money was useless, a golden sovereign was of equal value with a shilling, and used only as an earring for a child. A fish hook was more valuable than either. A little later on, when men were bored-by all the plagues of civilisation they would exclaim “Oh where are those good old days?”, a Maori would reply "No hea" (where) which we translated as it sounded, “nowhere.” We readily adopted the Maori philosophy of “Plenty more days” (Nui atu nga ra): but unlike our anxious speed of today the Maori still clings to his traditions of delay especially in regard to tarewa (debts).

In those early days, quite’ apart from the ordinary immigrants.and the Maoris, there were little communities of runaways from whaling vessels, and convict settlers from New South Wales, into whose history and character it was not considered polite to enquire. They were spoken of as living in a “savage and an half” state, being far more savage than the Maoris. The arrival of any vessel, great or small, was greeted by a crowd of Maoris armed with spears or clubs, shouting and gesticulating, as though anticipating a change of diet from vegetables, fish and birds.

We were inwardly trembling with fear; but hearing that the Maori grimaces were used as an antidote to fear, we decided that the appearance of courage was far more effective than 'courage itself, and they immediately responded with tokens of friendship.