MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 September 1934, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) THE FIRST LAND LEAGUERS. For some reason not referred to in any available records of the pei'iod oui New Zealand Parliament remained in recess for two years and three months after April, 1858. The Colordsts in those days depended little if at all upon political aid. Dangers and want of facilities made men and women mutually helpful. Neither the representatives nor the people realised the unrest of the Alaoris Avho for so many years had silently endured the practical confiscation of their lands. An settlement here and there was regarded by them as an advantage; but when not one, but six governments over them were proclaimed, they reverted to Honi Heke’s unanswered question, “If you take our land where are we to go?” The avowed objective of the Waikato Alaori Land'“League of 1848 was to absolutely prevent the sale of any land to a Pakeha. Ten years later, the idea had spread to many districts. Self Governnxent was the universal wish of every tribe, and the first avowal disclosed its Biblical origin in the ancient Jewish Alonarchy.

A Runanga or Parliament was summoned, King Potatau was proclaimed by a remarkable display of unity throughout the country. The flag presented by William the Fourth to the “United Tribes” was inscribed “Potatau King of Nexv Zealaixd,” and unfurled amid scenes of singular unanimity, each tribe pointing to the flag _ which proclaimed the approval of England’s King. The first real danger was apprehended when the turbulent Iwikau Te Heuheu proclaimed total separation between the Alaori and Pakeha, then, pointing to his ancestor, Tongarfio, as the centre of a great Porowhita (circle) within which no road should be made, where no white man should remain, and where Potatau’s name should appear in their prayers in place of Kuini Wikitoria’s. The first Pakeha Divorce Court had been proclaimed in Nexv Zealand a few weeks earlier, and this was accepted as their Tohu (mark of approval). At this crisis, from some unaccountable incitement, Governor Gore Brown repealed Sir George Grey’s excellent precaution which had so effectually prevented the sale of arms to the Alaoris. Within six months, the Chiefs had quietly purchased enormous stores of arms and ammunition, for which they paid liberally in land. Their mental reservation was “to shoot the fools who provided the means.” Disaster more terrible than storm or earthquake, as might have been predicted, followed within a yeai\