MAORI INTERVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 259, 9 November 1901, Page 5

MAORI INTERVIEW.

While the Scottish Committee were gathering the Waipu settlers in Government House Grounds on Saturday morning, two well-known Maori chiefs, Patara te Tuhi and his brothei\ Honana, were introduced to General Sir Hector Macdonald. The General inquired for a gentleman who could apeak the Maori language, in order that he might converse with the Maori chiefs. Mr Harry A. Keesing 'was introduced, and conducted the following conversation: —

Sir Hector said he was very glad to meet them both, as representatives of the Maori race.

Patara reciprocated the compliment, and observed that they would like to be addressed by a great soldier like the General, from a soldier's point of view, and also as a representative of the great army of His Majesty 'the King.

Sir Hector remarked that he was so much pleased with their appearance, and their handsome, well tattooed faces, that nothing would give hixa greater pleasure than to possess both their photographs.

Honana replied that the General's words were very nicely put, but were merely flattering compliments. They would prefer to hear a soldier's ideas in reference to the Maori race.

The General said he welcomed this opportunity of expressing his admiration for the Maori people, on account of the loyal and warlike spirit which had prompted them to offer to help the British to light the Boers in South Africa.

Patara replied that he appreciated such praise as echoing the sentiments of the great British nation in reference to a comparatively small handful of people like the Maoris, but for himself he would also have welcomed the inevitable handsome pay attached to military services.

Sir Hector, appreciating the witty element introduced in Patara's remarks, rejoined that the real reason why the British declined the offer' of the Maoris to fight the Boers was that the British soldiers were fearful that if the Boers heard that the Maoris had offered their assistance there would have been no fight at all. Another consideration was that the Maoris would have expected to bring back some thousands of Boer prisoners in order to make slaves of them, but the British had determined to take all the Boer prisoners in hand, and turn them all into loyal British subjects such as the Maoris were. Patara and Honana then requested the General to stand between them, while a snapshot was taken of the three dignitaries. Sir Hector, after having cordially thanked and conversed with his interpreter, then adjourned to interview the Waipu settlers.