SIR GEORGE GREY AND KING TAWHIAO

White Ribbon, Volume 47, Issue 7, 18 August 1941, Page 3

SIR GEORGE GREY AND KING TAWHIAO

One day in the year 1827—it was the day when Queen Victoria ascended the throne —an expedition set out from Plymouth for New Zealand. Its leader was George Grey, then a young second lieutenant of the K3rd Foot. George Grey had a genius for making friendly contact with native populations, whether in New Zealand or South Africa. When, therefore, trouble was afoot with the Maori chief?., he was a>ked to return to New Zealand to see what could be done to pacify them. He showed his confidence by journeying alone through the country to meet the Maori chief. King Tawhiao, whose name meant “Scorner of the Sun.” Unhappily he was not a scorner of intoxicating spirits, which tended to make his kingship an empty title and to make him quite unkingly.

Tawhiao was anxious to krow about England and even to visit it. Sir George Grey took the opportunity to put some heart-searching questions to him:

“Will you answer me a question ?” he said to the King, and added: “There need he no false modest’ between friends.” "What would von think of a man,” continued Sir George, “who by some means bad brought about the death of a fellow being?” “He would be a very bad man and deserve severe punishment,” Tawhiao replied. “It a man ui nght about the death of several other men what would you say then?”

‘Who could be so cruel?” was the reply. "If that is your view, Tawhiao, what words would you have for & man who destroyed the happiness of a whole nation, and that his own ?’’ Tawhiao began to see that Sir George’s parable fitted himself. "Yes," he said, “I understand”—and began to sob like a child. “What judgment do you think England would pass upon King Tawhiao if, while a visitor there, he gav e to drink ? He would disgrace not only himself, hut the whole Maor« race,” continued Sir George. "Alas,” said the King, still sobbing, "What can be done ?” "I will tell you. We will botlVof us sign a pledge agreeing to abstain from alcohol in any form. This pledge will mutually bind us for a term of years and there can be no more sacred contract.”

This “contract" saved Tawhiao, and it was a reformed and different Maori chief who, years afterwards, bade farewell to Sir George Grey when he left New Zealand for the last time On his arrival in England, full of years of service, this wise and enlightened Proconsul was received by Queen Victoria at Windsor Casrie, and thanked by her for his long and faithful services t<* the Empire.—(Adapted from "The Life of Sir George Grey” and quoted from the “White Ribbon” of the BAV.T.A.U.)