THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1940 RE-ENACTING WAITANGI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23573, 6 February 1940, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1940 RE-ENACTING WAITANGI

Ox the exact scene of the historic event one hundred years ago, there will be re-enacted to-day the ceremony of putting the first signatures to the Treaty of Waitangi. It is wrong to speak of the signing as if it were a single event, for the treaty was carried far and had many names added to the first before it was regarded as complete. There was 110 central authority which could act on behalf of the Maori race, and a sense of this lack of unity had, perhaps, a good deal to do with the decision of some chiefs to accept British sovereignty as a guarantee against the threatened clash between their way of life and that of the incoming pakeha. So far from the compact having been completed at Waitangi, it never was really completed. There are tribes which emphasise to this day the fact that their ancestors did not sign. Nevertheless, the acceptance of what Captain Hobson first offered at Waitangi, by many leading northern chiefs, was the all important beginning. It is proper, therefore, that the celebration should be there on the anniversary of that significant occasion. It is also fitting that, the circumstances nmking the site available by right for such a ceremony should be gratefully remembered. Through the generosity and the .vision of Lord Blcdisloe the scene of the signing, the Treaty House, and the surrounding land remain secure and unalienable, the property of the nation, as an enduring memorial of the events which took place there. The debt New Zealand owes to him for his recognition of the opportunity to safeguard this historic spot, and his magnificently generous action in making a gift of it to the Dominion should never be forgotten. It should be kept especially in mind to-day when the historic significance of the scenes of a century ago.is being recalled and emphasised. In many events celebrating New Zealand's first century as a British community pakeha and Maori have united cheerfully. If they did not do so at Waitangi, the ceremony would have no value. It was there the two races made the compact which enabled New Zealand to become part of the British Empire peacefully and with goodwill. The moment was critical. The question of establishing the rule of law in what had long been a kind of international no man's land was finally at issue. There were powerful forces in favour of it, and other forces which, if less powerful, were also less shackled by scruples, opposed to it. The crucial point was whether the great tribal chiefs, jealous of their power, fearful for the safety of their lands and rights, many of them suspicious of pakeha motives, would be swayed by the. one or the other. The story of the debate held on the lawn before Busby's house should be known to all New Zealanders. Sufficient that, in the end, the forces for the treaty prevailed, the signing was begun and the way was paved for the cession to the Queen of these islands which have become the Dominion of New Zealand. The word cession must be used advisedly. New Zealand was neither seized nor annexed. It was ceded by as many chiefs of as many tribes as could be reached and persuaded to put their names to a formal treaty. There has been much debate about the value of the Treaty of Waitangi as a legal instrument, about the observance of its terms by both races, about alleged violations, both early and late. Let that now be forgotten, since it is better to consider what has resulted from the most remarkable compact ever made between a civilised and a primitive people. The treaty was meant to assure peace between the two races and to confirm the Maori in possession of his lands and his hereditary rights. Peace did not always endure. The first breach came speedily, the first act of war occurred within sight of the spot where the signing to be celebrated took place. Maori and pakeha fought again in other places, fought long and stubbornly. Yet when arms were finally laid down, no enmity endured. Tt is significant that at to-day's ceremony there will be present a body of Maori warriors preparing to fight, as others fought 25 years ago, under the British flag, for the defence of the British Empire. All grievances were not exorcised by the treaty or its aftermath. Some endure to this day. Especially over land, the liveliest issue at Waitangi and still the most intractable problem in Maori affairs, there have been many bitter disputes. Yet, when all is summed up, the manner in which the two races have learned to live side by side, with mutual respect, the degree of tolerance thait has developed for differing outlooks, combine to make one of the most remarkable records in the history of colonisation. It has drawn tributes from many overseas observers. At this moment more weight can be given a tribute by a Maori leader, Sir Apirana Ngata, who is taking part in to-day's events. Speaking in 1019 on the proposal to give New Zealand responsibility for Western Samoa ho said : "After over half a century's experience, dating from the Treaty of Waitangi, although we have had little difficulties about native lands, in nearly eighty years no country has the pjoud record that this country has had in its connection with the most active of the native races inhabiting Polynesia. The experience of New Zealand with the Maori race should encourage the British people to extend that experience to other portions of the Pacific." With such an acknowledgment from one who bad often criticised native policy in detail sharply enough, it can be concluded that the aftermath of the treaty is something well worth celebrating on the anniversary of its Erst signing.