MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

DIPLOMACY OF THE KING. (Recorded by J.H.S.- lor the "Times-Aae.") ■The Hon- John Bryce, Native Minister, was-an ideal diplomatic agent. His apparent sincerity and simplicity were the keynotes of his many successes. But King Tawhiao’s unusual candour and single-purpose were not so easily overcome. The main object of the conference between these two, in fact their only question, was that Tawhiao should recognise the supreme authority of Queen- Victoria and while directing his own people should permit her white'subjects'equal right of-en-try to the King Country with themselves.

Tawhiao had shed his Pakeha shirt and pants for a blanket as a cloak. He and his favourite wife were seated on the ground amid the vast crowd of their people; Mr-Bryce the only .white man. being hospitably welcomed. The Maori King.seemed to divine the whole purpose of the. visit; which for him needed no expression. Rising suddenly to his feet, one arm and shoulder bare, he addressed: the crowd —“Do not speak, only listen. If this white man speaks-the best thing is to listen. I have nothing to say—only to hear, so that I may know —You. Mr Bryce, remain on your side,- I on mine. We remain as. our ancestors were.” | This; of course,-was-final, needing no argument, so Mr Bryce-had no alternative but a friendly greeting. Then all shared- in the contents of the Umu ■(steam oven) served in green flax kits, leaving “no washing up’-’ except the fingers.