MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 October 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

MAORI HONOUR. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) In the King Country where prohibition of the sale or use of liquor was supposed to be in force," the census told us years ago there were 3000 adult Maoris and as many more young ones. In a Pakeha community of that number there would be several police. Here his only need was to search for a stray white vendor of liquor among a few derelict victims of it. This was proof of one of two conditions, probably of both. First, that the Maori community is exceptionally friendly and peaceful as compared with a similar number of whites; secondly, that the absence of laws and restrictive regulations tend toward mutual goodwill and dependence upon the friendly relations between neighbours. Maori or even half caste women, some of them educated in our schools, well dressed and of good deportment were refused accommodation at our best hotels, and were obliged to seek food or shelter at second-rate lodging houses. At an official inquiry into this breach of service by hotels, it was stated in more than one instance “that the tattoo mark on the lower lip would have proclaimed their origin and thus to have driven away other guests.” In this attitude even by a few illbred upstarts, we created not only a racial bitterness, but a lowering of the pride and dignity of the whole Maori race, who had hitherto been recognised by the best of the pioneer whites as a people of outstanding honour.