MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. (Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”! Eighty years ago the question of arresting the decrease of the Maori population was of vital concern. More deaths than births were recorded. Previously the women far outnumbered the men because the part of women in war was to tend the wounded and supply food. Lord John Russell our first Governor said—-'To rescue the Maoris from the calamities which always follow the contact of civilised nations with barbarous people is a duty too sacred to be neglected.” The Rev Mr Lawry in charge of the South Seas Wesley Missions, wrote—- “ The Maoris arc melting away, but not lost, they are merging into a better class. In the process, however, sin is not lacking, free love is encouraged by the British law regarding the inheritance of Native land, which discourages the legal union of European men and Maori women. Providence will overrule this, and bring forth a fine new race with ‘the sign of the cross.’ better for the world, the race, and the church.” A large proportion of these half castes and quarter castes are men and women of strong mental and physical force and initiative, wanting only education to develop their powers. Amalgamation was due to white men joining Maori women, only three per cent of the progeny came from white women marrying Maori men. Spanish aristocrats in America boast of their descent from the Incas. In a few generations, prompted by mental and physical beauty, our people will be proud of Maori blood.