NEW WAR METHODS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20185, 1 March 1940, Page 9

NEW WAR METHODS

ADVICE TO THE MAORI BIND THE STICKS AS ONE STRENGTH IN UNION Among close observers of the Maori people, it has been noted that one of the effects of the war crisis has been to draw the native community into closer bonds, and to effect a reversion to something like the old-time social fabric, in which the words of the chief were studied as the law of the tribe. There has been, moreover, distinct evidence of the younger people’s leaning upon their elders for advice, and the firm attitude adopted on the duty of the race towards the war has had a pronounced influence on the response of the young men. The war has revived to a noticeable degree the weight of the spoken word in the Maori community, and oratory which might once have been rendered scant respect now commands the sentiment of the people. The return to the classic allusions of old times, a'nd the gift of telling simile, have impressed students of the native people once again. Convincing- Oratory As an example of convincing oratory a well-known European resident long familiar with the Maori language cites the speech delivered by Mr. Henare Ruru, a leading chief of the Gisborne' district, at the recent farewell to Maori recruits on the eve of their departure for Palmerston North to join their battalion. Mr. Ruru's choice of phrases is described as being second only to that of the greatly gifted Timi Kara (Sir James Carroll), and revealing some of the richest and highest qualities of Maori speech. He was particularly forceful when he advised his young compatriots to gird their loins, and make themselves fit like unto the rata vine of the forest, to meet the exactions of the new mode of warfare. They would not fight in single combat, hand to hand, with mere and taiaha, as their ancestors had done, he reminded them. A horrible new phase of warfare had overtaken the whole world, and. they had now to combdt an unseen enemy who might strike from the domains of the earth gods, the sky gods, or the sea gods. Therefore they must not hope to contend in single combat, or as a single Maori unit. The new war method demanded that they must, in the words of a Maori proverb, bind all the manuka stakes firmly together and oppose the enemy as a solid mass, united with the men of Britain, France, India, and the other countries which had taken up the enemy's challenge. Brotherhood of Tu Their fathers and brothers, as “te hokowhitu a Tu” (the brotherhood of Tu, the war god) had served New Zealand well in the last war, continued Mr. Ruru, and he was proud that the young men of this generation had followed their good example. He was certain they would not fail to uphold the. honour of their ancestors, and the mana of their chiefs and people. "Therefore I say unto you: Go with our blessing to take your part in this great struggle,” he concluded. “Kia kaha, kia toa! We will wait patiently your triumphal march home to the kaingas after the enemy has been defeated. We wish you God-speed and a safe return,”-