MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

TE WHITI, (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) As an indication of the difficult position of the New Zealand Government in 1881, when John Bryce as Native Minister voluntarily assumed their responsibilities by arresting Te Whiti (the shining one) and his passive followers, we may quote various notable persons, among them Sir Arthur Gordon, who was looked upon as an eccentric gentleman. He stated: “Te Whiti though not of high rank, mainly owes his power to individual qualities. He declined to take part against the Government in 1865, though' most of his tribe did so. In 1868 he used his great influence to restrain those under his authority from joining the outbreak under Titokowaru, and his people remained quietly at Parihaka. The next 10 years saw the rapid growth of his influence. Educated by a Lutheran Missionary and deeply versed in scripture and the Christian faith, he preached a vague and mystical religion, of which he was the prophet. Eloquent and subtle, earpestly patriotic, he exercised a powerful and benefipial effect over the hearts and lives of the' Maori population. Under his influence drunkenness is unknown, industry is exacted, v.nd peace sedulously inculcated.” Te Whiti’s passive resistance was specially directed against the Act of Parliament which proclaimed an extensive confiscation of lands held by Maori tribes who had fought against us in the wars.

In the Maori estimation, land was too sacred to be bought, sold, or traded. In reply to an eloquent appeal by Sip George Grey for main roads to be made through Maori .country, an old chief significantly said: “T|ie land is a living thing—men are but mortal.” Disastrous wars followed, it will thus be realised that we had a difficult'problem to solve. (Continued on page 7.)