MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

PROSPECTS FOR REAL V/ORKERS. (Recorded by J.H.S., ol Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Association with the Maori people, who then knew nothing of the spirit of i commercial life, and were endowed with a keen feeling of worship for the Pakepakeha (white fairies) made an ideal companionship for our forefathers. But, alas, this fellowship and trust were utterly destroyed by our instinctive desire to become landlords, or to acquire wealth by supplying them with Jamaica rum at the expense of their moral and spiritual health. Hope for the future was and still is a prominent feature of our life in New Zealand, where the vision of a rapid increase in population and prosperity is ever before us. In Great Britain this prospect is impossible. Fifty years hence or less the outlook will be quite the reverse. Britain will be crowded, and rural life a thing of the past. A British statesman who was noted for his open mind, when addressing departing troops, said: “Britain must destroy the curse of drink, or drink will eventually destroy Britain.” This has already been realised in the Maori race. An early historian —Dr. Thomson, of the 58th Regiment, said: —“Thirty years hence the working man of England will have little or nothing to hope for, whereas in New Zealand there is room for enterprise and great chances of success. To gain and hold a position, sobriety, industry and intelligence, the only talents which stand the test of time, are indispensable.. Without these, gentlemen's sons become idlers; with them, mechanics are classed as gentlemen. Men born to drag the constitution coach in England become drivers of that vehicle in New Zealand.”