MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

TAHAE (theft).

(Recorded by J.H.S. for "Times-Age.”)

Among the few observant people who made a record of their very early experiences of the Maoris who had not lost their ancient customs and devices, some whalers have left traces of what these people were like. All agree on one point—namely that the laws of hospitality among people of equal rank were most generously observed. There were two distinct classes —the Rangatira and Pononga, high and low born. Within the ranks of each there was courtesy and honesty strictly observed. No gentleman would think of appro priating the most coveted article of an equal, as 'that would be a breach of hospitality, atoned for only by his being relegated to the rank of a menial As the pononga (slave) could not own anything, everything he used could be taken by any Rangatira. Apart from hospitality or rank Maoris of either class seemed to lay their hands on anything they could find. Tn the case of a slave selecting some articles belong ing to the upper ten, he would be knocked on the head and his body placed in the fork of a tree to feed the birds and rats. Between slaves, theft was regarded as an art, not as a crime. This was precisely the position among the ancient Egyptians.

The early missionaries reported, and the British people believed, that stealing among the Maoris was punishable by death; but this, occurred only with slaves.

So deeply rooted was this principle of honesty between equals of the rul • ing class, that if their slave stole the property of another tribe, not only would they kill the robber, but they would restore the stolen goods ten times over.