Waitangi Day

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31598, 8 February 1968, Page 10

Waitangi Day

Sir, —Congratulations to the N.Z.B.C. on a truly great presentation of the Waitangi ceremonies. All viewers must agree to being thrilled and moved by a wonderful performance.—Yours, etc., H. WILLIAMS. February 7, 1968.

Sir, —I would like to thank the people who made it possible for us to view the ceremony at Waitangi. It was a moving experience. I’m not ashamed to admit it bought tears to my eyes. I am proud to be a “Kiwi” and proud to have the Maori people as my brothers.—Yours, etc., MARGARET QUANTOCK. Ashburton, February 7, 1968.

Sir,—Before we become too emotional about the Treaty of Waitangi let us consider what it was. With perhaps the exception of the present Maori lands legislation, it was the biggest swindle in New Zealand history. Only a minority of chiefs signed this document. By September 3, 512 signatures had been obtained; 208 of these were from north of Manukau and the Thames Estuary, leaving 304 for more than three-fourths of the North Island. The greater number of the signatures were obtained at flying visits after one interview. Presents of blankets and tobacco were made to chiefs who signed. Te Rauparaha, who signed twice, said, “Give me another blanket tomorrow and I’ll sign it again! What is writing?” Many concepts expressed, such as Governor and Government, never appear in the Maori language of the period. Therefore the signatures were accepted from those who knew nothing of what they were doing. The Treaty of Waitangi was correctly described by the House of Commons Committee of 1843 as “little more than a legal fiction.” —Yours, etc., MAORI FINNIAN.