Beyond the Veil

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 31, 12 February 1932, Page 1

Beyond the Veil

A Talk on the future of the Maori Race broadcast from 3YA Christchurch by Te Arn Pitama

HE future of the Maori is the destiny of the Pacific. The great human family must be considered spiritually, intellectually, morally and physically. It is not my purpose to adorn the mantle of the prophet or to give the dictum of the student of ethnology. The subject under discussion is that of surrendering the primitive -concents of ancient Maoridom and the

acceptance of the complex ideas of the West. Before attempting to give a judicial verdict it would be good to reflect for a few moments and analyse the different stages of progress through which the Maori has evolved. We first enter upon the human epoch of the Maori, when he dwelt in a state of Communism. It was that period when the Ariki, Rangatira, leader, chief and protector, ruled supreme over the tribe and *« guarded its interest. When his word was sacred. Indeed. it was a period when the Maori was physically active, self-reliant, and above all things aggressive. His spiritual concepts, although strange and primitive, was the channel utilised by the high priest for the administration of civil law.

. With patient and incredible toil, he shaped his kauri and totara with a crude stone axe into the great ‘war canoe, til'ing or preparing his extensive marae, sowing the kumara and taro; the catching of fish and the snaring of birds were the activities of outdoor employment. Now for his social conditions. Custom demanded on ceremonial oceasions for those present to display their physical powers in the exercise of their limbs and lungs in the production -of oratorical effects. The romantic

tales of some beautiful mythical Venus of the South Seas was revealed by the tohunga, the repository of ancient sacred law, or it may be the prowess of the mighty and adventurous Jason. His was an easy life. To this period, Judge Manning, the author of "Old New’ Zealand," refers to them as "the good old days." We are next facet with the transition stage. (1) What were the forces which brought about this change? (2) What did these forces change? (3) Has the change wrought any good to the Maoris? Those responsible for the first point of contact with the Natives were the derelicts, convicts and whalers. With them came aleohoi, guns, soap, money, the spirit of land-lust, and every other lust coticeivable to humanity. It was due to this overwhelming force which brought about the disintegration of Native laws and customs in New Zealand. From this welter of lust and brutal barbarity, the Maori emerged from the Slough of Despond a much troubled and unsettled individual. TH contact brought about the destruction of fortified custom and the stability of a religious system which almost annihilated the communal order of their social well-being and development. The destructive work of the whaler and derelict was followed by the pioneer missionary, many of: whom adopted an air of self-sufficiency and superiority ; who ignored. the primitive culture of a barbaric people and ridiculed the philosophy and wisdom of Polynesian convention, in their vain and inglorious attempt to transplant the devastated area with the seeds of faith, hope and charity. Tribal destruction was the result of the introduction of firearms, and it was necessary for the Home Government to intervene. That remarkable document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was the handing over of the all of the Maori to their beloved Sovereign, the Queen. There are those of my people who believe that the signing of this document meant the absolute annihilation and destruction of the Maori. On the contrary, from a drama of dissipation and destruction, we find him being elevated to a full equality, spiritually, politically and socially. The appointment of Tahupotiki Haddon as superintendent of the Maori Wesleyan Mission, and Frederick Bennett as the Bishop of Ao-tea-roa, is regarded by both pakeha and Maori as a judicious move. To my mind the move was somewhat premature. May f yet live to see the day when a Maori will administer to the spiritual require= ments of both pakeha and Maori, as is succéssfully demonstrated among the Indians, in the Diocese of Dornakel. In (Concluded on page 2.¥

OO the great arena of politics, it is no boast on my part to state that Sir Apirana Negata stands out as one of the greatest personalities of the British Empire. His contribution of culture and wisdom to administration throughout the Pacific is" happily demonstrated by the harmonious conditions existing in Rarotonga. and those islands under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Government. The future of the Maori is in the hands of those who are prepared to sacrifice, and with patience, sympathy and perseverance, continue to the end, -. But What of His Future? rf IE} Maori was never destined by Di- * vine Providence to rise into prominence as a distinct race, but to assist the British Empire:to hold her own in view of the severe competition for supremacy.’ It is only natural that where 2 people, whose inherited experiences of centuries have been broadly different from those of the West, that the process of unfoldment has been astonishingly rapid. , Edueation of an industrial and agricultural nature must form. an integral part of every good system of progressive advancement. Though the Maori still retains a portion of his land, yet he has been at a disadvantage, brought about by our hasty and somewhat illtimed Native legislation, and the cumprous and expensive proceedings of a Native Land Court and Native Land Boards. If the Maori is to acquire education in its truest sense, in order to qualify himself as a useful member .to society, then it is essential that he be given the same rights and privileges as his white brethren. I am ever hopeful of the future, but every advancement must be timed psychologically. The disturbing effect of the association of aliens with Maori girls in the Auckland and Otaki districts calls for * little investigation. The reason is simple. In 1868 the Maoris living between Auckland and Waikato had virtually been driven from their lands. Wholegale confiscation took place, and it would appear in the clearer light of later judgment that the Maoris were justified in defending their property against aggression. The Maoris of that district were thus deprived of their lands, and were reduced to the status of serf for the Oriental. It is utterly impossible for the Maori to work out his destiny unaided. ff only our white New Zealanders were brought into closer contact with the actual conditions, they would b¢ supplied with a guiding pulse that would reveal incredible and astonishiing experiences. I do not wish to be sensational, but it is the truth. When I state that such a condition existed not only with Maori girls, but Europeans also, such a condition is most

humiliating, and calls for the assistance of an economic and moral readjustment on the part of the Government. It would appear as if the destiny of the Pacific is to undergo a rapid change. Where the spirit of greed and self-aggrandisement is being displayed by one nation against another, the consequences are sure to spell ruination, devastation, and destitution, not only to those who are able to survive, but to.the unborn millions yet to come. Before concluding we must regard our own parochial affairs from the point of view of world organisation.

The British Empire is more than a world power, but it is.an internal part of the edifice of world culture and civilisation. There is yet a greater appeal, It is the noble and imposing appeal for international brotherhood. The period demands a_ scientifi¢ (diagnosis, and the League of Nations makes adequate provisions for each and every nation. World leaders have reached that stage when: economics is not only to be regarded as a policy, but as a veritable truth. The cry of the Cosmos to-lay is "Give us this day our daily work, and we will earn our bread ourselves." The remedy for the future of the Maori, and the British Empire as a4 whole, is a concerted effort on the part of everyone in the direction of making ttvailable the vast amount of untapped and undeveloped lands, as the surest means ‘of reverting back to that state of supreme economic stability. The future lies in the broad fields of endeayour, behind the plough of the enterprising colonist who seeks to turn the devastated areas into the prosperous Eldorado.

A Community Sing Will be Relayed by 2YA from the Municipal Hall, Masterton, On Thursday, February 18. Song Leader :. Owen Pritchard Pianist: Frank Crowther Assisted by Local Band and Artists.