MAORI MAGNA CHARTA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12434, 22 December 1934, Page 9

MAORI MAGNA CHARTA

treaty of waitanci.

PICTURESQUE SCENES ON SIGNING

TAMATI WAKA NENE’S ELOQUENCE SWAYS MAORIS

ORIGINAL DRAFT OF HISTORIC DEED HELD BY TOKOMARU BAY

FAMILY

THREE STAGES OF EVENTFUL DOCUMENT

(By W. E. Goffe.)

*JpHE missionaries who came to New Zealand with the Itev. Samuel Marsden in 1814, and held the first Gospel service in this country on Christmas-Day of that year, and also those teachers who followed the pioneer missiorier right up to 1833, were the first "white race, as a body, to occupy this land. At that time Now Zealand belonged to the original discoverers, the Maori people. Kupe, the greatest Maori navigator of all time, discovered these islands in 925. .For a period of nineteen years, therefore, from 1814 to 1833, the niissioners and those who accompanied them lived ill New Zealand under the sole protection and by the goodwill of the noble Maori people. Then came the first attempt at occupation in 1833, in the appointment of a British Resident, Mr James Busby. This not proving successful, a Lieutenant-Gover-nor, Captain Hobson, was appointed in 1840, and on his arrival the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Incidentally, the original draft, in Maori, of this historic document is 'possessed by Miss iiild of the first British Resident.

Busby, of Tokomaru Bay, grande

In 1831 the Maori Chiefs of the Bay of Islands were somewhat .per-

turbed at the arrival of a French nian-o’-war at Russell. They ' held

several meetings, and, as the out-

come*, sent the following petition to King William IV. • —•

“To King William the Gracious Chief of England,—King William. We the Chiefs of New Zealand assembled at the place called Kerikeri, write to thee, for we hear that thou art the great Chief of the other side of the waters,- since the many ships that come to our land belong to thee.

“We are a people without possessions. Wo have nothing but flax, timber, pork and potatoes. We sell these things, however, to your people, and then we see the property of the Europeans. “It is only thy-land that is liberal towards ns. From thee also come the missionaries who teach us to believe on Jehovah God, and on Jesus Christ His Son. sr We have heard that the tribe of Marion (the French) is at hand coming to take away our land. Therefore we pray thee to become our friend and the guardian of these Islands, lest the bearing of the other tribes should come near to us and lest strangers should come and take away our land. “And if any of thy people should he troublesome or vicious towards us —for some persons are . living here who have run away from ships —we pray thee to be angry with them that they may be obedient, lest the anger of the people of this land shall fall upon them. “(Signed)

Warerahi. Chief of Paroa.. Rewa, Chief of Waimate. Patuone. Chief of Hokianga. Nene, Chief of Hokianga. Kekeeao, Chief of Te Ahualiu. Titore, Chief of Karorareka. (and seven others, all chief’s of the Bay of Islands and further North)

MR, BUSBY APPOINTED BRITISH RESIDENT.

The result of these solicitations was the compliance of the' Imperial Government in that they appointed Mr. Busby as British Resident. This information was sent in a- lettei dated June 14, 1832, in which Lord Viscount Goderich (Colonial Secretary), addressing the Maori Chiefs, says.

"Friends, —I am commanded by the King to acknowledge the receipt of the letter which you adto His Majesty. "The King is much gratified to find that the cause for alarm which appears to have existed at t e time when your letter was written has entirely passed away.

"The King is sorry for the injuries which you informed him that the people of New Zealand have suffered from some of his subjects.. But he ; will do all-in .his power to prevent the recurrence of such outrages and punish the perpetrators. "The King has sent ! the bearer of ' this letter, James Busby, JEsquire, to' reside among you as His ajesty’s Resident to investigate all complaints, to endeavor to^pr even the arrival of convicts and to apprehend -any that might - e a large.' ' ' , ' "In return for the desires which will be manifested by the British Resident to offer his protection to the inhabitants of New Zealand against acts of outrage which may he' attempted against them' by British subjects, it is confidently expected by His * ajesty that on your part you wi render to' the Resident that assistance and support'which is calculated to profnote- the object of his appointment and to extend to your country all the benefits which it is capable of receiving from lts friendship and' alliance with Great Britain.—l am, your • Friend, (Signed) Goderich.”

MR. BUSBY RECEIVES LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT.

Owing to transport and other unavoidable delays, however, Mr. Busby did not arrive in New Zealand until eleven months later, on May o, 1833, and the Maoris therefore did not receive their reply until that date.

Mr. Bushy presided over the destinies of the people and the welfare of New Zealand in general for seven years as British Resident at Waitangi (Victoria) in a brave effort to discharge a duty for which he was inadequately equipped by a halfhearted Government. This was so noticeable that it brought forth the remark by the Maoris that he was “like a man-o’-war without guns.” Finally, his appointment proving unsatisfactory, Captain Hobson was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand.*

ARRIVAL OP FIRST GOVERNOR

Captain Hobson arrived at the Bay of Islands in H-M.S. Herald on the morning of January 29, 1840. She anchored in the Bay and that day he stayed on hoard. Early next morning there -were prepared circular letters of invitation for the assembling of Native Chiefs at Waitangi (Victoria) where the British Resident lived, on the following Wednesday, February o, the liotce allowng practically a week for their coming together. On the afternoon of January 30, Hobson landed at Kororareka. and there read his two commissions and proclaimed his' assumption of the office of Lieutenant Governor. When the Herald arrived the Rev. Henry Williams, head of the Church Mission, was at Waimate. On the night of January 30 he was called up by a messenger from the Bay, to say that Captain Hobson had arrived in the Bay as Governor of New Zealand, and that he wished to see him as early as possible. It was the first intimation the mission had Hi at the British Government was. taking any definite step towards the occupation of New Zealand. The afternoon of January 31 found Mr. Williams paying his respects to Captain. Hobson on board the Herald. HISTORIC DOCUMENT. On February 4 Captain Hobson handed to Mr. Williams the draft of the Treaty of Waitangi in English to .he translated into Maori. This document had been already compiled by Mr. Busby and the original draft in his own handwriting still remains in the hands of the Bushy family, now residing in Tokomaru Bay. This draft is exactly the same wording as the form in which the treaty now appears. Probably this is the most historic document in the history of New Zealand. Captain Hobson told Mr. Williams that he would meet him in the morning at the house of the British Resident, Mr. Busby., when it must be read to. the chiefs assembled at 10 o’clock. THREE CLAUSES OF TREATY. The Treaty had three clauses. The •first was the chiefs’ cession of . sovereignty; the second guaranteed to the chiefs and their' tribes the possession of all their lands and other property and assured the right of preemption for the Crownthe third- declared that in consideration of these things "Her Majesty the Queen of England extends to-the Natives of New’ Zealand her Royal protection and«imparts to them all rthe' rights and privileges of British subjects.”

: DRAMATIC SCENE. . ' The great historical drama of the signing of the treaty was set on the grass lawn in front of the late Mr. James Busby’s house at "Victoria,” now known as the Waitangi Estate, presented to the New Zealand Government by His Excellency Lord Bledisloe. A raised platform had been erected at the end of the marquee and on this the Lieutenant-Governor and Captain Nias took their seats. Bisho

Bompallier and his priest were shown to chairs on the left and Mr. Henry Williams was directed to a chair on the Governor’s right. The other missionaries, Messrs. King, Kemp, Baker, Clarke and Oolenso, were modestly standing behind this group when Lieut. Sliortland, who was acting as secretary to the Governor, and as Master of Ceremonies, plucked Mr. Colenso by the sleeve of His coat and said, “Go over to that end and support your cloth,” an intimation which, according to Mr. Colenso, they lost ho time in attending to, ranging themselves as best they could behind Mr. Williams. Meanwhile the crowd had been accumulating and were rapidly finding positions of vantage within the tent. The scene was very interesting and impressive.

In the centre of the narrow raised

platform were the Governor and captain of the man-o’-war in full uniform. On the Governor’s left were Mr. Busby and the Roman Catholic Bishop in canonicals, Ins massive gold chain and crucifix glistening on his dark purple-coloured habit. On the right of His Excellency were the members of the Clnircb of England Mission in plain black dresses. The different officers of the Herald (warship) together with His Excellency’s suite stationed themselves as best they could, some here and there on the platform and some immediately before it. In front of the platform in the foreground were the principal native chiefs of several tribes, some clothed with dog-skin mats of black and white dogs’ hair. Others were habited in splendidlooking new woollen cloaks of crimson. blue, brown and plaid, and indeed of everv shade op striking colour such as had never before or since been seen in New Zealand, while some were dressed in plain European and some in common Native costume. AN IMPOSING CHIEF. Nearby, in the midst, stood Hakitara, a tall chief of the Rarawa tribe, dressed in a very large and handsome silky white kaitaka mat a garment of the finest and best, kind and only worn by superior chiefs, fringed with a deep and dark coloured woven border of o lozenge and zigzag pattern, the whole of Native and national design and manufacture. The sunlight streaming down ■from an aperture in the f .o:> °f the tent on this beautiful white dress, admired by Natives and Europeans alike, threw the figure of this chief into veiy prominent and conspicuous relief, forming a fine contrast to the

deep and dark shades of co/our around: whilst here and there a hani or taialia was seen erected adorned with long -flowing white hair of the tails of the New Zealand wild dog and crimson cloth and red feathers. In the distance the raven black and glossy locks of the Natives, gracefully ornamented with snow-white and drooping feathers of sea-birds and of the white crane forming a striking contract, added much to the tout ensemble. Around the sides of the tent were the whites, residents and settlers and outside of them again?!the walls of the • tent/ v&re flags of different nations which from the brightness of their colours gave a charming air of loveliness to the whole, the table being covered by the vivid colours of the Union Jack.

TAM ATT WAKA NEVE’S GREAT SPEECH.'

The handsome giant warrior chief of Hokianga, Patuone, and his brother, Tamati Nene, clad in all the beautiful vestments of chieftainship, were also present. They arrived late hut took a leading part in strongly advising the Maori people to accept the terms of the Treaty as being in the best interest of the people and New Zealand as a whole.

Nene made a speech which is still unsurpassed in the annals of public speaking in New Zealand. He told his countrymen that had they '.said, "Go back,” to the first white, man who came among them, to the dealers in firearms and the sellers of grog, they would have been correct. But now it was too late. There were too many white men in the country, and the Queen’s law was needed to restrain their evil doings. Therefore he said to the Governor, "Sit, stay and he our father.” The eloquence of Tainati IVaka Nene completely swayed the Maoris, and the treaty of "Waitangi was signed. "WE ARE ONE PEOPLE.” The first part of Captain Hobson’s work -in New Zealand was accomplished. He had made the first diplomatic treaty of sovereignty which a civilised nation had ever made with an uncivilised one. It was a good treaty, an astonishingly fair treaty. The Treaty of Waitangi has been assailed in the past. Its very legality has been questioned, and the courts of law have discussed its constitutional force. But to this day it is the great Magna Oharta of Maori , rights. As: a chief one© said to the' late Lord Ranfurly, a one-time Governor of New Zealand, "This treaty has „been rained upon by the rain and exposed to the blast of the storm, but the words are still clear, they cannot be obliterated.” As each chief affixed his name or sign or tattoo mark to the memorable dbcument at Waitangi, Captain

Hobson shook him' by the hand and said (it was the first iully official words in Maori uttered lv pakeha lips). “He iwi tahi tatou” (“We are one people”).

FURTHER SIGNING OF TREATY

Two great councils' were held by Captain Hobson on the subject of ceding to the Britain Crown the sovereignty of the New Zealand isles, one at Waitangi on the: estate of the late lamented James Bushy, British Consul, and ike other at Mangungu. the Wesleyan Mission station, FJobianga. Some of the chiefs argued strongly against the proposed cession, stating that it was a wily trap to obtain possession of the Maori lands and to enslave the people.

After a lengthened discussion, during which all points in opted hv the various speakers were explained satisfactorily by Capt. Hobson through his interpreters, the missionaries, Patuone the Great and party, with a hearty Maori cheer, declared for the Queen. The treaty was immediately duly signed by the assemO’cl duets the sovereignty of the Queen proclaimed and the British flag hoisted by Captain Hobson R.N. THE SECOND STAGE COMMEMORATION OF SIGNING THE TREATY.

WONDERFUL AN CIEN T MAORI WAR-DANCE.

The second stage of the Treaty of YVaitangi was set at the Tii Point, Waitangi, in ISSI, when the Ngupulii tribes built a very large whare ruuanga and also erected a lino monument to commemorate the signing of the historic document. Maoris from all parts of the Dominion were present to celebrate the opening of the meeting-house, and to witness the ceremony of unveiling the monument. Amongst those privileged to be present, was the writer, and. another pakeha who also saw the wonderful dance described below was Miss Bushy, of Tokomaru Bay. Miss Bushy is a daughter of Mr. William Bushy, who was a son of Mr. James Bushy, the first British Resident in New Zealand. On this occasion Miss Busby was travelling to and from her home, where the treaty was

signed, to the Paihia private school. Quite ten to fifteen thousand Maoris assembled to discuss the three important clauses affecting the Native race and further to foster true national spirit amongst the Maori people, to unite the Maori tribes which had been estranged since the old days of strife and wars. They were called together to bind up old wounds and strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between northern and southern tribes, for the leading chiefs of Aotearoa. and Waipounamu had declared "Unity is Strength.” A tall flagpole had been erected to fly a large flag and a bundle of manuka sticks was attached underneath. This .bundle of sticks was hound . closely together and was lowered by the demonstrating orator calling out in a loud voice that they were now hound together in unity. No man could break them as they were now hound together. Then he undid the bundle and took individual sticks and broke them across his knee, saying, "Without unity we will be as.the single rod.” The usual interesting ceremonial Maori welcomes were given as each visiting party arrived from a distance. The leading chieftainess of the Marae, Hereora Taui, a very handsome and striking woman of wonderful physique,, being fully six feet six in height, stood at the head of the powhiri party. She. looked majestic draped, in her beautiful korowai cloak, took a. deep breath and from her magnificent chest burst forth sucli a grand, round sustained musical welcome call, "Haeremai, haeremai!” It is doubtful if the highlytrained singers of Europe oould eclipse it. FEEDING THE THOUSANDS. On this occasion the northern tribes provided a wonderful tahua kai for the entertainment of the visitors. It was composed of a. long wall of kits of potatoes and kumeras stacked five feet deep at the base and fully twelve feet high and tapering to a single kit at the top on which were packed: relish consisting of dried shark, dried - eels, takeke,- karengo, pipi and other sea foods, also shawls and blankets. . At the base of the wall were piled quarters of beef and mutton, also live pigs in great numbers, an abundance of flour, tea, sugar, butter, cabin bread, biscuits, cakes, jam, kanga piro, koren, karalia, fresh fish, pipis, kutai, mutton birds, purewha, kina, eels, kotero, tobacoo and huahua. This famous tahua kai was 500 yards long, containing many tons of food. It was dir vided-into sections with coloured flag poles according to the number of tribes and visitor's present at the meeting. On top of the tahua wall of each section was a cleft ■ stick : crammed with pound and five pound notes. The Master of Ceremonies, after

making an eloquent speech to the assembled tribes, divided the huge stack of food according to ancient Maori custom, first prancing up and clown the tabua incanling and striking each section of food with his magic wand, calling out in stentorian voice the name of the particular tribe and titles of the honoured chief to receive the present, and demanding that a. representative should come forward and take charge of the food and money, finishing up with a very hearty harangue, finally calling out! “Tikena mai, Tikena mai” (“Come take it away, Corny take it away”). This was promptly done. After this interesting ceremony of bestowing food was concluded each tribe was then considered to he amply provided for during the remainder of the visit, and therefore responsible for the preparation of the food for themselves. Tn this manner the Maori people overcame the problem of catering for the multitude.

It would he right to saV on arrival at the marae the visitors were always provided with a hot meal and the homo people (hosts) continued to supply cooked food to the assembled people until the talma kai was parcelled out.

DANCE OF 1000 MAORI WARRIORS.

After the arrival of all expected visitors and at 10 o’clock the following morning, the principal war dance of the lmi was given in ancient style, about two thousand warriors with the renowned Wnihi Kanili at llie head leading the rank and file of his party. An canal number of the marae warriors joined in the greatest war dance (Pern Pern') ever seen in modern times. Tt was real and awe-inspiring.

Quite four thousand Maori warriors, armed to the teeth with guns and other weapons, stripped to the huff to give more freedom to their limbs, a few quite naked, showing beautifully tattooed bodies (rape). Each section ranged themselves in deep warlike formation ready for immediate action. After challenges had been made by the runners (kntikati) the principal' war chief waved, his quivering mere over the fighting hosts, breathed heavily on them and as if inspired by magic they all turned to fiends highly charged with animal magnetism. He commenced the usual warlike harangue; then the response from the whole company of warriors, a most unearthly diabolical yell. This was the defiance. It was terrible. They began to work their bodies and limbs to and fro. slowly

;it first, stamping their feet and heating time on the ground, which trembled under foot. The?) they appeared to he getting very wild and excited, they screamed dreadfully, up and clown went their bodies, they leaped clean off the ground high up in the air while they slapped their thigh with the left hand and grimaced most hideously,' accompanied by an inspiring war chant of defiance. This soared up to a tremendous crescendo and gradually fell to diminuendo, .while they surged about like the waves of the restless ocean tossed by the wind this way and that way. eyeballs nearly staring from the sockets. tongues protruding from the mouth at full length, rolling about with froth of anger and revenge, quaking, shivering, drawing in their breath hideously. Then up Hew their weapons in the air, and they sprang to their feet like tigers. The fierceness and hate that shone in their eves was sublime. The shouts of anger and derision from the throats of these sixteen to seventeen-stone warriors was like a tremendous crash of thunder, the ground rocked, trembled and shook like an earthquake. Then all was still—after victory—a- sight for the gods, unforgettable as. long as- life endures.

THE THIRD STAGE

NINETY-FOUR YEARS AFTER

CELEBRATIONS AT WAITANGI

THIS YEAR

MAORIS REAFFIRM ALLEGIANCE.

On February 5 last about 5000 Maoris from all parts of the country assembled at Waitangi to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, to do homage to His Most Gracious Majesty’s representative and to thank our mu.ch-loved Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in true ancient Maori custom for his precious gift.

Suffice it to say these wonderfully interesting people excelled themselves in their expressions of thanks in war-dance, Maori oratory and songs of praise. The enthusiasm shown on this historical occasion will, ,we are satisfied, ooiivince him that lie has quickened the sentments of both races and welded them even more firmly. His Excellency has done the people of Now Zealand a great service, one which will not he forgotten so long as the Dominion endures. AN APPROPRIATE SETTING. On the last day the scene of the celebrations shifted to the grassy uplands from where the British Residency looks out over the Bay'of Islands, where an' immense • crowd, about ten thousand, were seated under the leafy trees in this appropriate setting.

Various tribes squatted under trees, each in turn coming forward to present dances,, chants and incantations, giving in every case a remark able peri'or m a nee. Under an elnr had been erected a platform for the Vice-Regal party. Behind all was the buy with warships lying at anchor and launches cutting through the water.

Directly opposite was Russell <>■ Kororareka, where Hoke’s war party broke out and the famous flagstaff was cut down in order to lower the hateful Union Jack indicative of British Sovereignty. It was appropriate that in front of the Residency stands a, very tall flagstaff and that the first act of the Governor-General to-day was to break the Union Jack at the masthead to an accompaniment played by the warshp’s hand. The assembled people sang the anthem and cheers were given whilst the Maoris danced the old-time hakn. ‘’Kainate! Kainate!”

MAORIS’ message: to KING GEORGE.

After tin* function the afternoon’s programme was provided by the Maoris and began with various tribes dancing in front of the old oak tree. As each appeared its chief addressed the Governor, testifying to their loyalty. Several presentations were made to the Governor, including cloaks, tain has and an oil painting of the signing of the treaty, the artist being a young Maori named TTaddon.

The Governor laid the foundation stone of a whare ruuanga and inspected a guard of honour of Maori returned soldiers. The histone function concluded with the singing of God Save the King and the march of the tribes back to camp.

Speaking at the flagstaff ceremony on the final afternoon, Mr. Tan Ho--11 a re. M.P.. presented to the Gover-nor-General the following resolution which, was carried unanimously by a meeting of the assembled tribes: —

“That we members of the Maori race assembled at AVaitangi on the fUth anniversary of the Signing of tlie Treaty reaffirm our allegiance and loyalty to the British Throne and respectfully request Your Excellency to address this our message to His Majesty the King." THE CULTURE OF THE MAORI.

The culture of the noble Maori race is a thing to marvel at. The beautv of their carving, the wonderful fashioning of their tools and weapons, their plaiting and weaving and general manual dexterity, their poetic speech, their music, their physique, the miracle of their perfect teeth, their courage and endurance, their high tribal morality. their kindly communal life, tlieir hospitality, tlieir courtesy, their friendliness to strangers. their open-handed generosity, their happiness, their grace and poise and dignity of bearing—all these precious possessions were theirs

even before they saw a. white man. If to-day one thinks the Maori lias lost a little of the culture that was liis a hundred years ago, where must the blame be laid ? Where but at our own door? The Maori knew leisure, he had no fear of it. The elemental instincts of activity and creation were his. and his mind and soul developed along cultural lues in the happiest and most natural manner. The Maori’s faith taught him that when ho died his spirit would pass on to join those of his elders who had gone before to seek rest and repose in the great, unknown. In this faith he was perfectly satisfied, death held no terrors for him. The average Maori has no fear of death.. To him it- is simply a passing on in spirit to. rejoin his ancestors. He had a simple and boundless faith in the. general fitness of things. He met life’s difficulties with courage and a smile and faced death without fear. He believes that he is composed of a Trinity, in Unity, Body, Spirit and Soul. Truly a. very beautiful thought. The Three in One. “The Holy Trinity.” WHAT OF THE FUTURE? The future of the Maori race really depends on the leaders they will have to guide them in the fight for life. The present period is certainly very ertieal for them. The land development scheme, in the writer's opinion, has been pushed on too fast; the Maoris can hardly grasp the responsibility resting on their shoulders. All will go with a swing while Sir Apirana Ngata. has health and strength to advise and guide the people. I dread to think, of their fate when he is taken away from them. No doubt the'Maori people will merge in the white race, and their future be subject to the goodwill of the Europeans.