MAORI MEMORIES
LAND IS SPIRITUAL LIFE. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The one great difficulty in solving the Maori question lies in the complete difference in our attitude to the Creator of all things in Nature. Their worship of natural phenomena, each aspect of which represents a God. is precisely that of our and their attitude between man and woman, too sacred for profession.
Both races agree as to complete silence regarding human love: but in regard Io the higher spiritual worship ol the Creator we differ from the Maori. We are supposed to proclaim our love or bo regarded as infidels or indifferent. The Maori on the other hand feels that his devotion to the higher spiritual power of the Great Father of al! tilings in Nature is akin to human love and too sacred for words. The priest alone may mention it, and then only in the sanctuary. To all others it is a IVlea Tapu (sacred thing). The land is the symbol of immortal life, and they have not yet nor ever will realise that they can part witli itfn reply to Sir George Grey's eloquent appeal for a right of way through their home lands, the old chief replied. “The land is a living thing, men are but mortal Ar-' distinct dilTe" - is V tirei U
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1939, Page 2
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220MAORI MEMORIES Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1939, Page 2
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