Te Kopara 83
[3] Te Kopara, Number 83, Gisborne, 31 January, 1921.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT.
R[eweti] T K[ohere}
It was the custom in the past to print debates in Parliament which affect the Maori People but that stopped because the paper was full. All the speeches by the members of Parliament are printed in a publication called ‘Hansard’ and it was to that that I went to find the speeches by the Maori members. Since Ngata and Pomare have been our members, both of them at ease in English, they have made important but not lengthy speeches.
Our members are not loquacious like some of the Pakeha members. Some of the Pakeha members are very boring and tiresome; they don’t miss an opportunity to speak on any subject and are very happy listening to the sound of their own voices. But it is good if Apirana Ngata’s voice is heard at length in Parliament for he has a fine voice which appeals to Pakeha ears and he is also one of the wisest men in New Zealand, Maori or Pakeha. Some of the Pakeha members grumble if Apirana does not speak on some of the important matters affecting the Dominion.
Apirana has made two important speeches this year – one about Samoa and the other about horse-racing. Both were published in the Pakeha newspapers. I am not able to reproduce the complete speeches but I will mention the main points.
Before the war one of the islands of Samoa was under German jurisdiction. Since the war the League of Nations has placed it under the jurisdiction of New Zealand to run for the benefit of the Samoan people. The main industry on that island is growing coconuts. The fruit of the coconut, the copra, is used to produce oil. The Germans had 18,000 acres of coconut cultivations. During the war the cultivation of those 18,000 acres was neglected, they became overgrown and were attacked by the rhinoceros beetle. Now, to cultivate the 18,000 acres and to defeat the beetle, the Government has decided to bring in indentured labour from China. This practice is condemned and not approved of by England but the impatient Government of New Zealand has said
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that it will bring 3000 Chinese to Samoa and will return them after three years. This was strongly opposed by some of the members and Apirana Ngata supported them. Their reasons for objecting were: First, it was making slaves of the Chinese. Secondly, because there would be no Chinese women, eventually the workers would sleep secretly with the Samoan women with the result that the Samoan race would be adulterated with half-caste Chinese and the race would disappear. Those supporting the Government said that if there were no Chinese there would be no coconuts and no income for Samoa.
In his speech on this matter he appeared to be opposing Pakeha ways and he could have been mistakenly thought to have been advocating laziness. But those who know Apirana were not mislead because he is a very hard worker. Apirana’s first statement was that he did not want to see Samoa filled with Chinese. Even though the beetles were eating the coconuts there was no cause to do that because what the League of Nations had charged New Zealand with doing was not to protect the coconuts but to protect the Samoans. Another argument used by the supporters was that if Samoa was filled with Chinese there would be no place for the Germans. Apirana asked, ‘Are the Chinese going to get rid of the Germans? Is it not the power of England that protects Samoa?’ As to the Pakeha and the Maori dwelling together, Apirana said, ‘I am still waiting to meet the person who will say to me that nothing bad has happened to the Maori as a result of his encounter with the Pakeha. It would have been better if some native peoples had not seen the Pakeha. I have observed that the place where the Pakeha sets his foot is the place where suffering and trouble are found.’
One cause of problems in Samoa is that the native people will not work for the Pakeha. The Samoans are a proud people. As a result the Pakeha say that they are a lazy people. Three quarters of the coconuts in Samoa belong to the Samoans and it is certainly true to say that the Samoans are not keen workers because of their country’s hot climate, the plentiful food available, and the few clothes required. Because of this Apirana said something which amazed the Pakeha. He said that it was right that the Samoans should be lazy because their needs were so few. Apirana said, ‘The man who works when there is no reason for him to work is, I think, foolish. A man doesn’t work simply out of a desire to work. A man may work because he is commanded to work; a man may work because he is a compulsive worker. I know some Pakeha who do not work because they were born into nobility. I know some Pakeha who work because their work is their recreation. But what man is going to work if there is no reason
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for him to work? Likewise, the Samoan is not going to die if he doesn’t work. There is plenty of fruit and fish to feed him, and his clothing is a simple lavalava. Why should he drive himself to work? God made him like that. The Samoan is not foolish enough to work when there is no purpose in him working. I am a working man. It was appropriate that the Maori of New Zealand should work because their land was different – a cold and barren land. The English would not work were there no reason for them to work. It is increasing amounts of money descending upon him that makes him want to work. People are the same whether they have white or black skins. In former times the Maori had fewer things he wanted and so his life did not focus on work. The Pakeha, however, goes on working and because he wants more and more presently he will have consumed everything on the earth and will climb to the stars to find food to fill his stomach. Does this way of life make for an increase in a person’s happiness? I say, No. The Samoans are a happy and contented people now. (Here! Here! – some Members.) So if all is well with the Samoans why should Pakeha come up with different ways to bother them? Is your Pakeha way the only right way? Hasn’t the Prime Minister said that he does not like the idea of settling Chinese in Samoa?’
The final words of Apirana were about the prohibition of drinking alcohol in Samoa. He said that the Pakeha’s alcohol was one of the worst things afflicting the indigenous peoples of the world.
I end my accounts of the speeches for the moment; by and by I will tell of some more Parliamentary debates. Apirana Ngata’s speeches in English are very fine. Here are some of his words [in English]: ‘Well, for Goodness sake, why do you not leave them alone and let them enjoy themselves in their own way? Is yours the only way in which a human being can enjoy himself? Is the white man’s the only scheme of life?’ (Hansard No. 10, 1920)
[The above is my back translation into English of Apirana Ngata’s speech.]
A LETTER RECEIVED.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Sir, Editor, the Manager of this bird, Te Kopara, greetings. This is a brief note to you about your article about the source of this name, Hawaiki, in Number 81, the October issue. I support all that you said – it was all true. I also agree with what you say about the Mormons who foolishly say that Hawaii is the true Hawaiki. It is tru that Hawaii is one of the Hawaiki but it is not the original Hawaiki of ancient times. We should bear in mind the words of our ancestor, Te Matorohanga,
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the great and wise man of the Whare-wananga [House of Instruction]. He says in the books he has left to us that India was the ancient land where the Maori flourished. From there they went to Sumatra [Tawhitiroa], from there they sailed to Borneo [Tawhitinui]; then on to Ahu – this is Oahu, an island in Hawaii; and from there to Tahiti, Rangiatea, and Rarotonga. This was the migration made by the ancestors of the Tairawhiti, besides some migrations which went straight from Java [Hawa], reaching Fiji and Samoa and sailing on to Tahiti and other islands.
Some Mormon accounts say that the Maori ancestors came from America and that they were of the same race as the Indians of America – and that those Indians are some of the ‘lost tribes of Israel.’ Lack of knowledge of the peoples of the world leads them to make such ignorant statements. It is thought that the Maori are Caucasian (like us Pakeha) while the Indians of America are a different race - they are Mongoloid and are similar in appearance to some of the Chinese. The Israelites are a different people again – they are Semites. The Pakeha saying is, ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.’ This is an appropriate saying for the Mormons. Now I sign off with the name given to me by my Maori friends in Rarotonga.
Te Mete-o-te-rangi.
[S Percy Smith]
New Plymouth, 7/12.1920
p.s. One former name of Tahiti was Havaiki. I received an article from India last week. A well-informed European there says that the Polynesians were the people who formerly lived on the coasts of India together with the Dravidians. – M.
THE LIST OF MAORI WHO RECEIVED THE PRINCE’S MEDAL
Along with each medal sent are the following: 1. A copy of the address given by Maori at Rotorua to the Prince of Wales. 2. A copy of the Prince’s reply. 3. A copy of the letter of greetings to the Prince. The medals have been sent by Registered Post. They were posted on 9th November 1920 to the following people.
Tai-Hauauru
Hon Te Heuheu Tukino MLC, Maranui, Wellington
Hoko Patena, Tokaanu, via Waimarino
Kanui (Mrs L M Grace), Wellington
Te Kakakura, Waikanae
Hori Te Waru, Otaki
Matai Broughton, Levin
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Warena Hunia, Bulls
Hoheopa Hawira, Kauangaroa, Fordell
Morehu Takarangi, Putiki, Whanganui
Nepia Tauri, Putiki, Whanganui
Hori Pukehika, Putiki, Whanganui
Rima Whakarua, Waitotara
Tupatea, Manutahi, Taranaki
Wharepouri, Pungarehu, Taranaki
A S Ormsby, c/o R Ormsby, Esq, Te Kuiti
Tupu Taingakawa, Morrinsville
Hon Dr Maui Pomare CMG, Wellington
Te Reweti Ngatai, Tauranga
Pine Tuakau, Taihape
Tupito, Patea
Tai-Rawhiti
Mita Paupopoki, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
Te Kiwi Amohau, Ohinemutu, Rotorua
Hone Atutahi, Ohinemutu, Rotorua
Te Morehu Kirikau, Okere Falls, Rotorua
Tieri Te Tiako, Tapuaeharuru, Rotorua
Te Hurinui Apanui, Whakatane
Rotu Kereru Rangi, Ruatoki North, Whakatane
Karera Waaka, Omarumutu, Opotiki
Kopu Erueti, Te Haupoto, via Opotiki
Rev Reweti Tuhoroutas Kohere, Te Araroa
Te Rauhuia Tawhiwhi, Kahukura, via Tokomaru Bay
Materoa Ngarimu, Ruatorea, via Tokomaru Bay
Rutu Tawhiorangi, Mangahanea, via Tokomaru Bay
Lieut Hatara Matehe Te Awarau, Waipiro Bay
Henare Ruru, c/o Capt W T Pitt, Gisborne
Pita Te Hau, c/o Capt W T Pitt, Gisborne
Ruku Hinaki, c/o Lady Carroll, Gisborne
Wiremu Henare Potae, Tokomaru Bay
Miss Maud Te Urupu, Mohaka, via Wairoa, HB
Paetai Kaimona, c/o Capt W T Pitt, Gisborne
Rev Hemi P Huata, Wairoa, via Napier
Te Hata Kopu, Wairoa, via Napier
Taranaki Te Uamairangi, Ohiti, Fern Hill, Hawkes Bay
Hori Tupaea, Te Hauke, Opapa, Hawkes Bay
Tuiri Tareha, Waiohiki, Taradale, Hawkes Bay
Henare N Te Whaiti, Greytown North, Wairarapa
Eruera Karaka, Manoeka, Te Puke, via Tauranga
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Raureti Mokonuiarangi, Matata, via Tauranga
Mika Te Tawhao, Ruatoki North, via Whakatane
Ngapuhi
Murupaenga Rewiri, Te Hapua, North Auckland
Eru Ihaka, Te Kao, North Auckland
Eparaima M Kapa, Te Kao, North Auckland
Wiki Pikahu, Taipa, Mangonui
Herepete Rapihana, Kaitaia, North Auckland
Aperahama Pukeroa, Herekino, North Auckland
Wi Ropihana, Waipapakauri, North Auckland
Hemi Tupe, Matangirau, Whangaroa, North Auckland
Tira Haare, Matauri Bay, North Auckland
Rawiri Te Ruru, Te Ahuahu, Bay of Islands
Hoori Puriri, Kaikohe, Bay of Islands
Hoone Pairama, Punaakitere, Hokianga
Ruka Paati, Taheke, Hokianga
Rihari Mete, Kohukohu, Hokianga
Muriwai Hepehi, Horeke, Hokianga
Te Rima Te Ihi Tiapakeke, Whakarapa, Hokianga
Pouaka Parore, Dargaville
Kawhi Kena, Pouto, Kaipara
Hone Eruera Riiwhi, Whirinak, Hokianga
Te Ikaroa
Oliver Akers, Tutapere, Invercargill
Hohepa Karetai, Otakou, Dunedin
Thomas Apes, Puketiraki, Dunedin
Ihaia Rehu Te Paa, Temuka, Christchurch
J H W Uru MP, Wellington
Hori Tipene Tauwhare, Arahura, Greymouth
Haimona Patete, Picton
Pera Ngapaki, Picton
Huta Pamarika Paaka, Motueka, Nelson
•••••••••
It is right that everyone living in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu should help get rid of the terrible illness, consumption. In the writings of a great Maori doctor he says that one disinfectant that can be used to prevent this illness is Jeyes’ Fluid. Take notice of his instructions today and have Jeyes’ Fluid always available. A can – 12/- a gallon; a bottle – 3/9 a quart; 2/3 a pint; 1/9 for 9 ounces, 1/- for 4 ounces. It is not to be drunk.
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