THE MAORIS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10421, 20 April 1897, Page 3

THE MAORIS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your issue ot the 9tli iuat. yoa publish a letter from a Mr. Kelly re condition of the Maoris in the King Country. I wish it were in my power fully to contradict ail he says, but unfortunately there is too much truth in his statements, though to anyone who is unacquainted with facts leading to the present state of things, his letter is entirely misleading and one-sided. Mr. Kelly says: "I really feel that the Maori was in a better state in Captain Cook's time." In what respect was he better? He certainly was not addicted to drink, his propensities being more in the eating direction, and I would veuture the assertion that Mr. Kelly would have hesitated before he attempted to spend a winter in Kawhia at the period he refers to, viz., "The good old times." Surely this is a serious reflection on all the Anglo-Saxons of New Zealand, and I among others must 'take my share of the blame, having spent more than fifty years in this land. Ido not know Mr. Ivelly, nor do I know of any continued efforts on bis part to raise the Maoris to a higher Christian standard than they at present occupy, but I do know, and have known, men, great and good, who have given their lives for the same object, and I also know many Maoris who could be favourably compared with the generality of English Christians. Mr. Kelly should look for the reason of the present state of the Maoris of the King Country. Does lie know that ninny of the best men and women that ever lived have spent their lives in this very work—viz., reclaiming the Maoris ? Does he know that there were flourishing churches and schools in the Waikato at one time ? and does he know why these churches and schools are things of the past? Does he know why the Maoris have retired further and still further away from the hated pakeha, who has been the means of bringing ruin on his race? 1 think, sir, Mr. Kelly has much to learn, and before the winter at Kawhia is over he will be " a sadder and (I trust) a wiser man." Let me ask Mr. Kelly one or two questions. Whers do the Maoris get the drink that they carry to the Kin? Country, and who gets the profil on that transaction ? The Maori is not sufficiently enlightened to be either a brewer or a distiller; he cannot, therefore, be chargeable as the first cause of the evil. There was a time when the Maori resisted the bringing into their country of this waipiro (stinking water)— named, indeed— it was not until the land was under English rule that the abhorrent feeling subsided, and how else could it be considering the habits of English society a few years since. We are all free to acknowledge that a wonderful reformation has taken place during the past lew years in the drinking habits of English society, but the evil has taken deep root in this country and it is only a proof of the despair that has fallen on the Maori mind that he seeks relief in the intoxicating cup which at one time he feared and cordially hated. Some «ay " Let the Maoris have as much as they want and they will cease to crave for it as a forbidden pleasure." We keep poisons out of the reach of our children, and for why! We might as reasonably say, " Let them have all they want and thev will be satisfied.* Now I would ask Mr. Kelly to what nuwu he would resort to Christianise these Maoris who are ruined by strong drink, "as Christless as an ox?' I think the comparison is unfortunate and am sorry he used it. There are hundreds of individuals in EnglUh society who are far more pernicious in ths:'lives and example than the ox. Let Mr. Kelly cease to throw blame on Anglican* o: Wesleyans and show us a more excelling way.—l am, etc., William Gittos. Graftou Road, Auckland, April 15,1897.