MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

IMMIGRATION SCHEME (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) An outstanding feature of Sir Julius Vogel’s “Public Works and Immigration” scheme was not anticipated by its author, or the pioneer settlers. It was. however, most welcome to a large number of workmen, whose only alternative to bachelorhood was marriage more or less permanent with Maori girls. Several ships which were each expected to bring over 100 workers for roads and railway construction, actually had 60 to 70 per cent of eligible “domestics” selected by various benevolent women’s organisations. Out of genuine pity they were chosen for the benefit of the free passage from the poor of London. On the arrival of each sailing ship a crowd of farmers, traders and workmen, including Maoris, were looking anxiously for eligible partners to share their joys and sorrows. Because of the absence of documentary evidence as to age, name, and whether actually single, there ensued quite a number of questions as to legality. In the case of half-castes, the happy-go-lucky Maori marriage “law free” custom sufficed.