MAORI DAY

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 9, 1 October 1946, Page 1

MAORI DAY

\l this time, with election day almost upon us, Maori I)ay lias a peculiar significance. Though, to most of us, the story of the i»osition of the Maori in regard to the drink question o an old one, it is good that we should refresh our memories, and once again face the responsibility devoicing upon us in the matter. The Maori has no cote on the liquor question. The reason for this is that he is not considered to have enough poltical experience to he a tit and proper person to deal with so vitally important an issue. The implication is, of course, that the pakeha IS. Mow great the weight of condemnation for the misuse of the power denied to the Native race, and allowed to he wielded m >uch a wav as to bring the evil thing into their midst even against their own desires. The famous telegram sent by the ieat chief Kevvi, to (iovernor (ilasgow. on his arrival in New Zealand deserves to he kept in tnctnorv by those of Ik>iii taces who value the keeping up of the standards of living in Maori districts and in European communities also. On his death-hed, Kevvi sent these words: To the (iovernor of New Zealand. -

"Oh (iovernor, welcome to New Zealand. Long may you live. My fir>t request is that you prevent strong drink hemg allowed to come within the Rohe I’otae. This, my first request, will be my last.” Rcwi died shortly afterwards. How greatly the life of the Maun 1 1 been affected by strong drink is evident in many ways. Although statistics show that the threatened decline of the race hav been arrested, and that numerically it is rapidly increasing, vigns arc not wanting that disease if rife among members who should be at llieir physical best. I übcrculosis, of which alcohol is the bosom friend, is doing deadly work. I lie cough of the little child, of the youth, of the middle-aged man oi woman in our streets, is a terril>l familiar sound. In another department, the power of strong drink is more terribly evident—that of the jKiliee court. Crime of every kind tcllv the tale of demoralisation and disregard of the law insrparahle from its use. How awful iv the knowledge that it was the white man who tan ’ t the Maori to drink: that his demur.' isation lies at the door of our civilisa tion.

Let tts think on these things; and in so doing, face the fact that if we fail to keep the trust still reposed in its, that ot protecting Ihe Maori from the evil thing; we are unworthy sfdl of the custody of one of the finest Native races in the whole world. Also, in hurting him, we ar» hurting ourselves immeasurably, a. the future will tell. He still speaks to us in the words of the petition presented to the House of Representatives on August 18th, 1H74, by Haiinona Te Aoterangi and 167 others, the concluding words of which are:—"lf you have any regard tor uv, the Maori people, send away lliiv evil leviathan which you brought lo ibis island to destroy us, our lands, and our children. . . . Sir, do this for iis. Long may you be spared oil account of your energy in raising your voice against this snake, liquor, during the years that have passed. “Sufficient. From your friends who are living in sadness on account of this evil.” W hatever of influence we may possess should he exerted on behalf o! those who still look to us for release from bonds stronger than steel. God grant an awakening of conscience to all the voting public.