TE RAUPARAHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 14

TE RAUPARAHA.

"Te Wiremu's" able article in connection with the old-time Maori leader requires some comment, especially the reference to the Wairau episode, when so many of our unfortunate countrymen lost their lives—but not, as the writer puts it, "almost without striking a blow." Such is contrary to fact, for, indeed, before "thev were ignominiously driven from the field," they had struck too hard and accomplished too much. Apart from the serious error in tactics in attempting to arrest a prominent chief, the feeling's of the natives were incensed to a high decree when the wife of Te Rangihaeata, Rongo (a niece of Te Rauparaha) was shot dead (while engaged in assisting to prepare the • mid-day meal), by the first fusilade from the European party. Four other natives immediatelv after also fell shot dead before the natives returned a volley in selfdefence. To anyone who has impartially examined all the available records, and also had the advantage of conversing with people then present at the conflict, or personally acquainted with the participants (European and Maori), there.can be no doubt that the European party opened hostilities. Nor were Te Ran para ha and his chiefs prepared for or expecting such an attack. They had no arrangements for defence against same. Te Rauparaha himself was unarmed, and the womenfolk were engaged in various domestic duties about the unprotected camping ground. In fact the chiefs were prepared and desired to discuss the matter of the disputed land purchase and survey of Wairau then or at somu named time and place with the authorities. Thin Magistrate Thompson and Mr. Wakefield foolishly refused and precipitated the conflict with all its sad consequences then and in the years to follow. For this affair implanted deep in the Maori mind a distrust cf the European growing militant power and its results reflected itself in the years oi! subsequent war and strife throughout New Zealand The Bay of Islands, Hult Valley, Wanganui, Taranaki and later Waikato wars all followed on in automatic sequence, trace able in the initiatory causes to that sad day on the river bank at Wairau. As showing the generous Maori mentality in such matters involving bloodshed, and in accordance with the Maori custom in such cases, the Ngati-Toa chiefs at a subsequent time presented the whole Wairau Valley 1o the Government "because Eumpean blood had been shed there." I think this statement of the matter, giving the Maori point of view, should not be lost sicht of. To\ RaNGATIR A.