MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1939, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

“WORK IS LIFE.” (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) When : the Public Trustee was first appointed guardian and administrator of Maori lands, an emphatic disapproval in the Press and legislative circles was launched. It is true that the system was a failure, but only because the power conferred upon that worthy institution was limited to.formalities. The Public Trust for the greaf Maori family should, even at this still greater period of despair, be what its name implies, and the father of those children of dark faces and darker despair caused by our destruction of their power of restraint in their ancient and universal law of Tapu. Our contempt and ridicule of this strong. hold upon the life and power of resistance of these children of Nature led to their acceptance of the greatest curse which has ever fallen upon humanity, savage or civilised, drink.

Away back in >the early eighties the Member for Rangitikei, who was a thorough Maori linguist, pleaded in the House and the Press, and upon the platform that, all tribal lands should be individualised, each owner to make his home and reside upon it. the finance to be controlled by a State Officer in each district. Thus would each farm let and home vie one with each and all others to succeed in comfort and finance as the result of ’ competitive work. Even today the remnant of the tribes may thus revert to their ancient belief that “Work is Life” (He Ore te Mahi).