MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 August 1936, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”)

MAORI LORE AND BIBLE LAW. According to Maori traditional lore, failure to avenge the dead indicates coAvardice, and in dealing AA'ith them aa’O must observe tlicir custom Avhen it is. possible to do so AA'ithout any appaient violation of justice. Captain Fitzroy, Avlien dealing Avith the Wairau affair, Avas quite ignorant of this fixed principle, otherwise he could at once have settled the Avholo dispute by claiming that, under the recognised Maori loav of Utu (recompense), the Wairaua Valley Avas uoav legally secured to the Pakeha, having been paid foxaccording to custom by their blood. Rauparaha therefore quite naturally derided the Governor’s attitude, and in his reply said: “Your Pakeha. people are good for building ships and houses, making cattle fat, buying land, selling arms, and groAving bread and cabbages. You are like the rats, alAvays at Avork, but in fighting, you are also like them, you only knoAV lioav to run aAvay.” Our lonely out-settlers began to forebode evil, to them moral influence must uoav give Avay to physical force. They never made a greater mistake for even to-day those avlio know the Maori are •satisfied that the only Avar to deal AA'ith them is to trust them, a condition at once almost uncannily recognised by instinct, and instantly responded to. Up to this time the Maori.Avas alAvays the defendant in disputes Avith settlers; but uoav they became domineers. The Maoris pointed out that to imprison a Rangatira (high born man) for appropriating a small article under their ancient IaAV of compensation, reduced him for life to the condition of a Pononga (shave). A young Maori under sentence of three months gaol Avas rescued, and a Avarrant Avas issued against his abductors; but the Executive, fearing another conflict, refused to execute it. Later on through Missionary influence, the thief gave himself up and pointed out that both Maori Luav and the Pakeha Bible agreed as to money A'alue being proper compensation. To this there Avas no logical reply, and he Avas released. An ordinance Avas enacted that Maoris avlio stole from Pakehas. should be pardoned upon payment of four times the A-alue!

Another concession Avas obtained in regard to the remission of a tax upon Maori land Avlien it Avas being purchased by Avliite speculators other than the Government.