The Maori Wars

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 March 1938, Page 6

The Maori Wars

Notes on the News

.Maori objection to the word ‘‘rebel** appearing on a monument commemorating the light at Te-Xgutu o-te-Mauu, near Hawera, on September 7,186 s, and the death of Major von Temptky and some of his soldiers, has been voiced frequently by elders of some of the Taranaki tribes.

The true position of the Maoris fighting against the British has been put by Mark Twain in "More Tramps Abroad.” if the word "rebel” is substituted for "fanaticism.” He says: "A couple of curious war-monuments here at Wanganui. One is in honour of white men •who fell in defence of law and order against fanaticism and barbarism.' Fanaticism. ... If you carve it at Thermopylae, or where Wiukelried died, or upon Bunker Hill monument, and read it again—'who fell in defence of law and order against fanaticism'—you will perceive what the word means, and how mis-cho-en it is. Patriotism is patriotism. Calling it fanaticism cannot degrade it; nothing can degrade it. "It is right to praise these brave white men who fell in the Maori War —they deserve it: but the presence of ihat word detracts from the dignity of I heir cause and their deeds, and makes them appear to have spilt their blood in a conflict with ignoble men, men not worthy of the costly sacrifice. But the men were worthy. It was no shame to tight them. They fought for their homes, they fought for their country: they bravely fought and bravely fell: and it would take nothing from the honour of the brave Englishmen who lie under the monument, but add to it. to say that they died in defence of English law and English homes against men worthy of the sacrifice—the Maori patriots.” Jersey The legislature 6f Jersey L* introducing conscription for youths between 16 and 20 years, who must attend 50 drills Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, and the most southerly of the group, is situated 12 miles from France. It ha* an area of 45 square miles, and a population of over 50.000. It is 12 miles long from east to west, and from north to south. The eapi tal is St. Heller. The inhabitants are mainly NormanFrench, and French i.« tlie principal language. The chief industry le mar-ket-gardening, ami on small holdings great quantities of potatoes. grapes, apples. and flowers are crown for the English market. Corn is grown, and the breed of leroey eettfle is w >ri<i The island, divided into 12 parNbe*. i* a favourite holiday retort, the teencry round the coast and in the hay* be ing most picturesque Jersey U governed by a lieutenantgovernor and a hailin', both appolrted by the Crown. The islanders have two partly elected bodies, the States and Royal Court The chief ecclesiastic is the dean, and the Maud is iu the diocese of Winchester.