MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

FISHING? (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Even as it was in .1840, the language was the key to confidence and friendship on the part of the Maori with the Pakeha.' So it is today, yet the Maori is the only one to recognise this obvious fact. Seventy years ago a well known Waikato man, travelling through the backblocks among the King Country Maoris, found every one'.standing aloof until he gave them their own hearty greeting “Tena Koutou” to which they promptly responded “Haere mai te Manuhiri Pakeha. haere mai" (Welcome, stranger, welcome). Then they invited him and his horse to partake e£ their hospitality, including in it the attentions of several eligible young ladies with a prospect of marriage. Even in those days a largo section of the Maori King's adherents had been so isolated by the "Bodyguard" that they had never seen a white face. In this instance the magic of the Maori tongue was the keynote of their first sight and cordial welcome. Rules and customs. especially in* their attitude to Manuhiri (strange guests) were strictly observed. An old man conducted the usual questionaire. "He aronga o to reo Maori no Taranaki " koe” (The sound of your voice shows you are of Taranaki).

It was the pride of these old philosophers that, by the sound of one brief phrase they could tell the tribe to which any stranger belonged. Realising the social and practical advantage of this Kiri ma (white skin) they sought for-a line and anchor • Kapa me punga) with which to decoy him. and rightly decided upon Land and Woman.