THE WAITANGI TRUST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE WAITANGI TRUST

Historical iinportancc'attachos to today’s meeting of the Waitangi National Trust Board, since it links the present with the past and gives emphasis to the fact that the Treaty of Waitangi was a real treaty and not merely a device to placate ignorant natives, as opponents affirmed in the early days. New Zealand has no native problem to-day in the generally accepted sense of the term, because -he has generally acted on the principle that justice and right should govern transactions with the natice race. Th: Treaty of XJ’aitangi stands as a monument of harmonious relations established by right dealing and not bv force. The Governor-General has sot an example in showing the importance of preserving histone records and monuments. Many documents anj memorials of our early days have been lost because their value was imperfectly recognised. Not only -is respect for such memorials necessary for the development of true nationalism, but much light might be thrown on disputed points in our history if some of the original letters and papers bearing on them were available. There arc probably many such records still hidden away and in danger of being lost. If so. steps should be taken to secure them and place them in safe custody. It is only by understanding the past that we can appreciate the present, and the past has lessons to teach us in th? way of courageous grappling with difficulties and brave content that have

not lost their application to-day. The foundation stones were well and truly laid, and it is for us to make the superstructure worthy of the foundation. Auckland Star.