THE WAKA MAORI.

Waka Maori, Volume 12, Issue 22, 7 November 1876, Page 285

THE WAKA MAORI.

We copy from the New Zealand Times the following letter, written by the Rev. Mohi Turei, of Waiapu, respecting the discontinuance of the Waka Maori:TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,—l beg that you will be good enough to favour me by inserting this letter in your paper,"that it may be read by the Pakehas, because it refers to a matter or great importance to us, the Maoris. I have heard that the Waha Maori newspaper has been suppressed. This is a serious misfortune, this breaking up of the canoe which conveyed sustenance to the whole of the Maori people inhabiting these islands of New Zealand ; that is to say, the canoe which supplied them with truthful information on every subject—for no_ words of deception or flattery of the Waha Maori from its commencement in the year 1563, and, from that time down to this year 1876, I have never once discovered a false statement in any of its reports and editorial matter. Now that I hear it is being suppressed, I ask, what is the reason ? From whom emanated the proposal to break it up ? But I can judge from the tone of the Wananga who are the parties urging its destruction. One reason, I hear, is that Government money is being uselessly expended in its support. But this is not a satisfactory explanation to mv mind. !Large sums are being expended for various useless purposes, while this small sum for a matter of real benefit to the Native race is being complained of. It is by means of the Waha we are informed of what is going on in this and other countries. In times past, when war raged in this country, emissaries from the hostile tribes went about the country stating that "thousands of soldiers were being slain," and inciting wavering tribes to join in the war; but the Waha Maori gave them good advice and faithful accounts of the real state of affairs, thereby preserving peace among the tribes inclined to rebel. Subsequently the people gave heed to its warnings and advice respecting intemperance, and Good Templarism is spreading among them in consequence. It has also fetrongly urged the discontinuance of the wasteful and prodigal Maori custom of wailing parties for the dead, and that custom is consequently much less frequent now than formerly. Owing in a great measure to the teaching of the Waha, the sky became clear and fair ; but since the appearance of the Wananga, owing to its baneful influence, dark clouds are again looming in the distant horizon. The motto on the front page of the Waha is " Justice, truth, and love," and it has always adhered to those principles of justice, truth, and love. Therefore I say do not break up our canoe—the Maoris also contribute to its support by their subscriptions. The great body of the Maori people will be greatly grieved by the destruction of their canoe, the Waha Maori. 3 know that it is valued highly by my own tribe, Ngatiporou—a numerous and powerful people,, who, through the influence of Sir Donald McLean, of whose wickedness the Wananga tells us so much,

have Brer been the firm friends of the Pakeba, and have freely shed their blood to support the power and authority of the Pakeha in this country—and this is the way we are rewarded-r you are taking away that which was a real benefit to us, and which cost you so little. Its discontinuance, however, may yet cost you much more. Who can say that the services of my tribe may not again required ? The Wananga and its supporters are doing all they canto bring about such a state of affairs. I am informed that Mr. Sheehan contemplates interviewing the people of my tribe, Ngatiporou. Let him do so. We shall see whether he will succeed in deceiving that tribe as he is deceiving Ngatikahungunu (the Napier people). It has been said in the H<juse of Parliament, by the supporters of the Wananga, that we, the Maoris, have tnat newspaper to guide and instruct us. But I say that the Maoris have no confidence in the Wananga; they do not believe its statements. It is the child of only a section of the Native people, those at Napier, and it is always scolding and complaining about the troubles of that particular people; it does not represent the Natives generally. Here are some of its faults: It inserts counterfeit letters, purporting to have been written by Maoris. It slanders people indiscriminately. It is a traducer of men. It is a maligner and a mocker. It abuses and speaks evil of the Government. It misleads the Maoris. It is a liar. It persuades the Natives to turn away from the Government, and reject their advice. It urges the Natives to apply to the Queen for " new laws." It blasphemes the Creator himself. In short, it is continually advocating measures the result of which can only be to bring trouble upon the Maoris. The Maoris are a people easily led to accept advice which agrees with their inclinations—such advice as is given in the Wananga, for instance, " Pay no attention to the advice of the Government; shut up your earsand the Maoris shut up their ears accordingly. I think, if the present management of the Wananga continue, the Maoris will ere long give trouble, as Waikato did in consequence of being led by evil advisers. Therefore, I say, leave the Waica Maori alone ; do not break it up. If you do, you will be pinching the nose of the Maoris that they may not even smell the pleasant odour of your good measures; you will be bandaging their eyes that they may not perceive them, and closing their ears that they may not hear them. I am, «fec., Mohi Tueei. Wellington, 21st October, 1876.