A BAD CUSTOM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 3

A BAD CUSTOM.

THE MAORI TANCI CONDEMNED. A CASE IN POINT. (By TekeraDh.-Spccial CorrcsDondonU Wanganui, April 24. The death of the Kai Iwi chief, Toko Reihana, furnishes tho "Herald" with the text for some further remarks on certain bad habits of tho Maori. AVrituig editorially this evening, tho paper (winch it is interesting to note supports tho Government) says:—A fewweeks since tho Hon. Ja's. Carroll, Native ' Minister, and Acting-Prime Minister of tho Dominion, spoko up in uoienco of Maori gatherings at which, as everyone knows, much time is wasted in riotous living, and much good cash which might bo put to better use. is squandered. Mr. Carroll compared these gatherings' to picnics of tho pakeha, and in a lono of virtuous indignation begged to be informed why tho vulgar pakeha should bo allowed his picnics and the noble Maori refused thorn. It did not seem to occur to Mr. Carroll how supremely silly it was for him to mdko such a comparison. Tho picnic of the pakeha means a few hours of rational and healthy amusement, at tho cost of a shilling or two per head, and involves no interference with tho pakeha's daily avocation. Tho tangi of tho Maori moans tho gathering together of largo crowds under conditions 'that arc physically and morally insanitary and unwholesome. Thos'o attending it do nothing better than loaf, and .guzzle, and gamble. This goes on for days and weeks on end, and costs hundreds of pounds. Tho fatuousness of the remark quoted above, thereore, needs no further comment. The host perhaps tho only, excuse that can be offered for it is that it was the Hon. Jas., Carroll who made it. Wo might havo educated tho Maori.out of the foolish and unwholesome custom of tho tangi. As it is, wo have done nothing of the kind. By treating tho tangi as a spectacle, and flocking to see it, wo have rather encouraged him in perpetrating it, and men . liko tho Native Minister, whose positions ought to enable thoiii to confer somo benefit on their people, actually tell them to go on with tho bad practice. A rather extraordinary circumstance in connection with the recent, death of tho Kai Iwi chief, Toko Reihana, shows tho kind of result which follows this attitude of encouragement. Toko had been. to many tangis during his life, and had doubtless noted how each vied with each ■in p style—which is to say in extravagance. Toko had known for somo time that his end was approaching, and was determined that he, too, should be tangied in stylo, but he was in a quandary. His affairs were in the hands of an attorney, who he knew would not sanction any extravagance, in tangis. Toko therefore gathered in a pound hero and a pound there, - and unknown to his attorney banked' it in his own name. Finally, at the time of his death ho had £200 in tho bank,' and his anxiety on tho score of a stylish tangi was allayed. On the morning of his death, when quite in extremis, he sent for a pakeha neighbour and asked tho latter to fill in a eheo.ue for that amount for him-to sign. . Tho friend did so. Toko signed, and twenty minutes later he was dead. Ho had felt tho end near at hand, and knew that if the scheme were not signed at' 6nc{> the. attorney would get the money and there would he no stylish tangi. To make assurance doubly sure, Toko sent one of his tribe post haste to town to get the money the moment the cheque, was signed,' and money, was drawn only a few min-ntesj-after. Toko-, kadi passed away; -The latter had.made all arrangements beforehand, and his henchman knew exactly what to order.' The'very finest coffin procurablo was ordered, and its cost would be an eye-opener if wo mentioned the fiaure. All tho other trapmngs .considered necessary were bought, also half a shipload of' food and drmk. When the tangi is over the fine coffin and ctcetras will bo in the Ri-ound, food and drink will have vanished, tho Natives will be no better off. and may be worse off (consumption and fevers arc often caught at these affairs), rind the £200 will bo only a memory. Judiciously spent it would have bought from 30 to -iO dairy cows or 300 or 400 sheen. It would have cleared and grossed 60 or 80 acres of the Maoris' land, and if tlmy had given their own labour it' would liavc cleared and passed twico as much. Thomonov might havo bought many other, thinns of a lasting nature, and perhans would havo done so hut for the Native habit of 'piem'cing, , or rather that discreditable variety of it which is supported by the Acting-Prime Minister of New Zealand.