MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1940, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

ALL FOR A KING. (Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) A second meeting more fully attended than the first was held at Ihu Matao (cold noses). The Government was not represented, but the Bishop of New Zealand, with Wesleyan clergy and other interested persons came in the hope of changing the Maori desire to form a separate Kingship. ’ Mr C. O. Davis said: “Give up your King or you will be destroyed by the white soldiers." Threats are always regarded by the Maoris as a sign of weakness, and serve only to encourage them After this meeting a number of representative Maoris loyal to the Pakeha called on His Excellency at Auckland. Yet all of them said there could be no hope of peace unless the Governor consented to the Maori King being crowned. This was regarded by the Governor as the most serious problem yet encountered in New Zealand. He instructed the Purchase Commission not to acquire any isolated 'blocks of land. Mr. Fenton, a tactful magistrate, was sent to effect a compromise if at all possible; and to assist and instruct the Maoris in the proper way of obtaining justice by means of British procedure. Mr. Fenton was a practical farmer and sought by means of Government aid and subsidies for manure to remedy the old Maori method- of exhausting the soil. It was obvious that as the majority of the Maoris were for a King cf their own. his judgments were of no avail unless supported by military force.

Mr. McLean, the new Native Minister, decided that the few Maoris who supported Mr. Fenton’s good work did so in the hope of being paid. He was. therefore, temporarily removed.