MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1939, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

SECRET OF SUCCESS IS SECRECY. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The one and perhaps the only element of failure in so many public organisations, whether political, practical, social, religious, or otherwise, is the craze for publicity. In politics, as in war, “Secrecy is the secret of success.” When the fanatical “Hauhau pai Marire” religion of mystery first came as a realistic dream to the superstitious sensitive Maori, the utmost secrecy was observed by the Tohunga (priests) and strictly imposed upon its simple minded disciples. «, Like every other cause, good or bad, its unwise advocates did more harm than all its enemies. The temptation to pose in public as the saviour of the Maori world ruined the prospect of Hauhauism. Had T» Ua maintained secrecy, he would have secured the active co-operation of 80 per cent of his then powerful people in their main objective, which was .to place each white man,' woman, and child aboard every available ship, boat and canoe with provisions mainly from their own stores, and set them adrift “to return to the land from whence they <?ame.” —- Publicity ruined their well planned scheme which from overwhelming numbers would have succeeded. By the aid of ventriloquism, an artifice known only to their priests, the preserved heads of both races taken from men slain in battle were made to direct the cunning scheme. Thanks xo the loyal and powerful Hawke’s Bay chief an unparalleled sacrifice was averted.