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Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 15, 28 July 1874, Page 188

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European correspondents who have a knowledge of Maori are requested to be good enough to forward their communications in both languages. To the Editor of the Waka Maori. Cambridge, "Waikato, July 6th, 1874. Gtkeetin"G, —I send just two or three words, which you can stow away in the bows of the Waka Maori, as a notice to my personal friends and acquaintances who may come to my place or my house to visit me. I do not know who may first come, therefore I have thought it desirable to give a general notice in the Waka, so that all may know. It is not, however, a matter having reference to the people of the island generally. My words may be despised by wise men, but in my own opinion they are of importance, and worthy of regard. I agree with the old adage—

"Food, the production of a man's own hands is eaten with relish and satisfaction." I say then let not any persons who may come to visit me, expect that I shall offer them a glass of the strong drink which is so much relished among us. I shall not do so. I shall not do so either at my place or in my house, or upon the road where I may chance to meet them, because drink is a thing which Ido not keep, and which I entirely disclaim. 0 Whv should not our usual food, with its accompanying appetizers, be considered sufficient with which to welcome our friends now that we have discovered the evil of this man-devouring pest which is so tasteful to us. The only thing about which I am at all anxious is that my Pakeha friends, when I refuse to drink their health in the usual way, may misunderstand me, and think that I disdain them. But I can honour them without fully observing the usual ceremony (i.e., drinking). From your friend in love, Te Moeehu o Waikato. [Our friend, Te Morehu o Waikato, need not fear that any sensible and respectable persons, knowing him to be a total abstainer from intoxicating will be offended at his refusal to drink. They will rather applaud and respect him for his adherence to his principles.]

To tlie Editor of the WaTca Maori. Wellington, 17th July, 1574. Sir, —Will you do me the favour of publishing the following letter in the WaJca Ilaori, if you think it worthy of insertion. This is a word of advice to my Maori friends. Be hardworkiug and industrious. Consider labour and industry as the parent of comfort and health. Tou know the adage. " Pood, the production of a man's own hands, is eaten with relish and satisfaction." But how is man to obtain food if he will not work ? ludustry opens up many fields o£ enterprise, and enables man to perform satisfactorily the duties to which he is called in this life. Labour is a teacher, and it is by perseverance in following its teachings that man acquires skill, proficiency, and expertness, in whatever calling he may be engaged. By labour the muscles are brought into active use, thus preserving the body in a healthy state, and making rest an enjoyment. The greater portion of the human race have to labour for their support; and if it were not for labour none of those things which elevate mankind, and promote their comfort, would have been discovered, and wc should still be living in darkness and ignorance. Look at the idle man. There can be no mistaking his appearance. He moves about without life or animation ; he is untidy and slovenly in his dress; his children want food and clothing; he gets in debt to any one, and every one, who will trust him ; and, in fact, he is of no use to himself or to any one else in the world. And yet he talks much more about what he can do, and professes more, than the man who is really industrious. Such is the idle man. Mark him well, that you may know him when you meet him. The Bomans, who lived and flourished many years ago, were a nation whose fame spread far and wide. They were an industrious people, and none were braver in war. Even those amongst them who held the highest positions, did not think it beneath their dignity to work. It was through their enterprizing

I spirit that they made their power felt throughout the world, no nation being able to stand before them. But where are they now ? They have no longer an existence or a name in the world. And what, you ask, was the cause of their decline ? I answer, it was brought about by the indolent and voluptuous habits which they afterwards contracted. When they had attained to a position of great power and riches, they no longer regarded the precepts of their ancestors, but, instead of occupying themselves as before in industrial pursuits, they left all the labour to be performed by their slaves and dependents; they began to look upon manual labour as servile; they became indolent and luxurious, clothing themselves with rich dresses, and anointing their persons with fragrant oils ; their days and nights were spent in drinking and feasting; they became enervated, and their power departed from them; and their kingdom was taken and divided by the savage nations surrounding them, who were far inferior to themselves in learning and civilization. And so with individuals. If they will not work, they will degenerate, as the Romans did, and their positions will be filled by others more industrious. But other evils spring from indolence and inactivity. Although the body be not actively exercised, the brain must and will be continually at work; and, if the energies of the mind be not directed to praisworthy and industrial pursuits, evil weeds will grow apace, leading the man astray to his ultimate ruin. Again, men should consider the effect of their example upon the future well-being of their children. The child looks to its parent as its guide, and if the example of the paren.t be bad, the child will, in all probability, grow up bad too, and become an unhappy nuisance and a pest to society. Idleness has paralyzed the natural energy of many of the Maories, and has given rise to much evil amongst them. If they would turn their attention to farming and other industrial pursuits, their women and children would rejoice in abundance of food, and themselves become more healthy, prosperous and contented. Erom G. D. A friend of the Maoris.

To the Editor of the WaJca Maori. Maketu, July 4th, 1874. Friend, —Greeting. The Maori chiefs, and men of intelligence, of the Arawa district earnestly desire to obtain from the leading men of the Teetotalers, Rechabites, and Good Templars, full information as to the principles, nature, and regulations of those institutions, so that they may at once take measures to establish similar organizations within their boundaries, from the coast to the inland districts. I ask you, Sir, to be good enough to publish my words of inquiry, in the hope that those leading men, seeing them, may be induced to furnish us with the required information through the columns of the WaJca Maori.

I know that a very large number of the Maories are anxious to join one or other of those movements, but they are undecided as to which is the most suitable of the three—they know not to which "Runanga" they ought to connect themselves. It would, however, be far more satisfactory if some person were to be sent among us to take the names of those willing to join such a movement, and to establish lodges here. My friend, do not fail to publish this letter, so that all the island may become acquainted with the aim and object of these institutions about which I am inquiring. It is not for myself alone that I thus inquire, but on behalf of ail the Maori people; so thatall, by means of the Waka Maori, may speedily receive the " good news " of this numerous body of people, the Teetotalers. Prom your friend, Rett Rett Tapiiiana.