MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

DOWNFALL AND THE REMEDY. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) This question seems as though it is unanswerable, so one can only offer a personal suggestion for each apparent cause. The Tohunga was a Priest (literally a thinker) born and bred in an atmosphere of superstition and deceit, whose powers were used to curb the evil tendencies of simple people. Tapu (sacred or forbidden) like the alleged power of “Old Nick” became a fixed hereditary belief, wherein the liar’s punishment was that he believed his own lies. The only remedy for this universal handicap is practical philanthropy from friendly Pakeha men and women, helping them to help themselves and one another. Intermarriage among their own reduced family relations. This calls for drastic legislative power to forcibly deport and interchange the young men of each two most distant tribes. Indolence induced by hopeless poverty and want of education in learning to do “useful work with their hands" wherein they should be under “free, compulsory, and practical education." Drink is the greatest cause of the obvious downfall of the Maori. It was and still is brought about by the cupidity of certain individuals and should, ere yet too late, be enforced by an absolute prohibitory law in which if -hr nnproached, they would vol-'