Eloquent Address.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20222, 5 February 1934, Page 6

Eloquent Address.

National Unity

Lord Bledisloe’s Speech at Waitangi.

Per Press Association. WAITANGI, February 5. LORD BLEDISLOE prefaced his speech at Waitangi this afternoon with the Maori phrase “ E te iwi tena ra kotoa.” He said that he was deeply impressed and much touched by the loyal and enthusiastically cordial welcome which the great assemblage of natives and Europeans had extended to her Excellency and himself. In bringing together Maoris of different tribes and sub-tribes from all over this Do-minion-r-from Te Reinga to Murihuku (from the North Cape to the Bluff)—the meeting was a proof that the Treaty of Waitangi had served to unify the Maori people. He hoped that Waitangi would be to all a “ Tatau Pounamu ” —a happy and precious closing of the door for ever upon all, war and strife between races and tribes in this country—the place where all erstwhile antagonists clasped hands of eternal friendship. It was well to remember on the present occasion that one hundred years ago the British statesmen were confronted by problems originating on the shores of this very bay, problems which in their solution called for the pledge of national faith to the Maori people. That pledge was given by Britain’s then responsible Ministers through the Treaty of Waitangi. Towards' the beginning of the 19th century irregular British settlement was taking place in New Zealand. Its wild injustice called aloud for reform, and its sporadic character for regulation. The only remedy for this chaotic condition was the intervention of the British Crown. As conquest with ail its horrors was repugnant to the British mind and conscience, Captain William Hobson, of the Royal Navy, New Zealand’s first Governor, was invested with consular powers and authorised to negotiate a Treaty with the native chiefs for the cession, upon equitable terms, of their sovereignty to the British Queen. Their Magna Charta.

Inevitably and admittedly the assumption of British authority, with the advent of different ideals and an entirely different code of ethics and of law, involved some misunderstandings and some heartburnings, but an impartial survey of the situation as it exists after 94 years of actual experience disclosed the fact that the Maori people still believed that the Treaty had a “ mana ” of its own, and still regarded it as the Magna Charta of their political rights, while the European population were resolved to fulfil faithfully their obligations to the Maori people. Among, the European negotiators two men stood out as champions of British sovereignty—the Reverend Henry Williams and Mr James Busby, the British Resident. What this country owed to the sterling patriotism of these two men, coupled with the intimate acquaintance of the former with the language and the aspirations of the Maori race, was scarcely yet appreciated. The Treaty was signed, and slowly the mists of uncertainty, the clouds of doubt which confused the issue in 1840 had been dispelled, so that to-day they did not look askance at the Treaty or view it with mistrustful eyes. The most abiding impression which the present meeting was calculated to convey was the almost magical effefct. which the Treaty had had in unifying the Maori people. Just before systematic British colonisation took place, the Maori race seemed to be advancing towards self-ex-tinction. The last inter-tribal battle was fought at Waikanae (Kuititanga) on October 16, 1839. Then came the Treaty of Waitangi, bringing with it British sovereignty, the majesty of the law, together with the pakeha system of adjusting disputes, and from that day no tribal wars had taken place. A Reign oi Peace.

To the beneficent teaching of the Christian missionaries they largely owed the softening of ancient animosities, the radiation of trustful friendship, the reign of peace, which were the outcome of the Treaty of Waitangi. “We should offer,up our grateful thanks to Almighty God in that He has afforded the British nation the privilege of being the humble instrument in His hands of bringing about so marvellous a change in the lives of His Maori people.”

Speaking to the pakeha population of the Dominion, his Excellency said that if there was one conclusion more than another that he drew from the gathering to-day, it was that nothing had occurred in. the years which had intervened since 1840 to relieve them of the responsibilities then solemnly undertaken. On the those responsibilities had increased rather than diminished, as the senior partner in the compact entered into 94 years ago upon them devolved, in a larger sense, the obligation of seeing that they observed the terms of a Treaty which not only placed the Maori on a footing of political equality with the pakeha, but enabled him to march forward side by side with them in social life, in education, in industry and in sport. Whatever capacity the Maoris had for assimilating the benefits of Western civilisasation should not be starved, but warmly encouraged. The surest way to make the Maori a good citizen and a real asset to this Heaven blessed country was to train him how to use his land to the best economic advantage within the limits imposed by his numbers and capacity. The Native Minister had inaugxirated developments of incalculable benefit to his race which would earn him the gratitude of posterity. They should encourage the Maori to cultivate his own land to grow his own food, to preserve the purity of his language, the poetry of his race, the romantic beauty of his folk-lore—to cultivate, in fact, not only the soil but also a love for the Polynesian arts of his ancestors. It would surely be a dull day for New Zealand if the charm of Maori music, handicraft and dancing were to vanish into the limbo of things forgotten or become merely the hobby of the antiquarian and ethnologist. His Excellency expressed the fervent hope that a nationalised Waitangi might be instrumental in developing throughout the whole community a greater sense of solidarity, a deeper spirit of nationhood based upon pride in its not unworthy beginnings, and of a past history of which it had no reason to be ashamed. On a spot clearly visible from the Waitangi Estate, Samuel Marsden, the pioneer of Christianity, preached his famous Christmas sermon 119 years ago to a fascinated native audience, bringing the cheerful message of peace and goodwill to a people sunk in heathen darkness. It was the earnest hope of her Excellency and himself that peace and goodwill between both races and all classes based upon national unity and steadfast faith in God might ever flourish and abound in this Dominion, and that Waitangi might not be without its influence in promoting them in days to come. “Ka nui taku aroha kia kotu.”

“ Maori people, you have our affectionate regards. Ivia ora. Kia ora.”