NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST WAR.

SERVICE TO PEACE OF MISSIONARIES.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON. January 28

Tn Mr T. Lindsay Buick’s forthcoming book, “New Zealand’s First War.” an advance copy of which a representative of the “Star” has been privileged to read, appears a tribute to the pioneer missionaries, which can appropriately be published at the time of the dedication of the memorial church to them at Paihia. The book deals with the period of Ilone Heke’s rebellion in 1844-46. This work, which Mr Buick hopes to publish next month, makes passing reference to the state of Christian missions in the north, both during and after the war. and in connection with the latter phase Mr Buick says:— “The Christian missions which prior to the war were the only uplifting influences among the Maoris of the north, though not overwhelmed by the catastrophe, found themselves gasping for breath. Their congregations were widely dispersed and sorely distracted, and when the body was in daily peril and want it was difficult to induce the people to devote much attention to those things which appeared good for the soul. The gloom of the fatal storm was dense and it required healthy optimism at times to discern a ray of hope in the sky, but through it all the missionaries bravely struggled on, exerting themselves at every turn to secure the blessings of peace, and but for their restraining influence it is incontestable that throughout the war the rebel forces would have been counted not by their hundreds, but by tlicir thousands. Their position as intermediaries between the Government and the rebels placed them in an extremely delicate situation, and not one of their own seeking. Its arduous tasks were, however, discharged with courage and with honour, there being no instance recorded in which they refused to go where they were asked, or in which the confidence of either party was betrayed or abused.

“Their influence in steadying the people was not. however, their only service. For it must stand to their eternal credit that they humanised the war. When we contrast this rebellion with the former sanguinary conflicts in which the Maoris were engaged, it becomes remarkable for the almost entire absence of acts of wanton cruelty or of dark revenge, while there were not a few instances of generosity and kindly feeling shown by one foeman towards another. This taming of wild and savage passions, this softening of the asperities of barbarous acts, had its origin in the teaching of the missionaries and is an abiding instance of how great a change was wrought in the native mind by the inculcation of the mild precepts of the Gospel. To no one in this respect is humanitv more deeply indebted than to Henry \\ illiams, one of the most misunderstood yet none the less one of the greatest men who ever influenced the destinies of New Zealand.”