Te Toa Takitini 16
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Te Toa Takitini
(Which grew out of Te Kopara)
Te Kopara followed Te Pipiwharauroa.
Te Pipiwharauroa followed He Kupu Whakamarama
which began in 1898.
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
(Maori Version at Papers Past.)
Number 16, Hastings, November 1, 1922.
OUR PAPER
Paratene Ngata
If it pleases you, do take on board these words, my challenge to the learned who are living their sheltered lives in their places. My friends, greetings to you all. I want to stir you up, to turn you around, to take in hand together this matter, that is:
1. What are you doing about the matters spoken of by our relative, Mr Desha, published in Te Toa Takitini, Number 10?
2. Are we just going to sit there, not getting up and doing something, when the way to go has been shown to us? You are aware of the issue. So let us have your worthwhile ideas as to how to awaken all to taking up ways by which Maori can make a stand in Pakeha times.
I am not challenging those who are concerned only for themselves and not for the people. My thoughts were stirred up by what Mr Desha had to say. I laid them before wise people who approved of them and supported them. However, at the time they were being acted upon I was also involved in Te Wakataua and the Trust Fund for the Ministers, a business which dragged on from one year to the next. One thousand, three hundred and forty-eight acres of land from that Wakataua were taken; the Government valuation of the land at that time being £6,333. I and my proposal were defeated on the marae. I was like a man who shoots a bird which falls in front of another man. The bird is put into the other man’s basket.
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However the judges still knew that that proposal was an older brother to mine. Therefore they approved of that.
My friends, we are still working on that proposal. It is like this. It is proposed that we set up a large committee, the members chosen from the Waiapu area. They will decide on whether to levy a tax on the annual profit of the tribal sheep farms, or on the rent money from leased lands, or on the pay of the station hands, or should a block of land be purchased and by coming together negotiate for shares in Waiapu land.These matters have not yet been decided upon; you will be notified of the outcome.
This is what we have been busy with, but I am seeking your thoughts, so that we decide this issue together so that everyone benefits equally. Since we know that schooling alone is the way in which we can acquire the Pakeha practices by which he lives, make every effort to support the Maori Schools. Have regard to Te Aute College and Hukarere and other schools which feed the bodies and the minds of our children, the physical side and the spiritual side.
I turn to my friends. My friends, many of you who crowded to provide a name for the paper have been left behind. Where are you now? I urged you to vote for The Treaty of Waitangi. I did not do this because it was a pleasing name but for the sake of the large tribes of the country who rest under the Treaty and to make them more amenable to supporting the paper. But the people at the paper opted to have a vote so that’s that. Greetings to you all. I’m afraid this is a long letter. Don’t be angry. It is a message from one of your remaining old men living in Waiomatatini.
A NOTICE CONCERNING TE TOA TAKITINI.
During these difficult times our paper has not been making demands on you and its leaders in various places. Because the dark cloud which hangs over the whole world has not retreated, that is, the difficulty of finding money for any work, Te Toa Takitini is making known its situation,
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its sickness and its health, so that you can be well-informed about the matters Paratene Ngata raises above for us to consider.
The expenses of printing.
Monthly cost of printing £12 12 0 Annual cost £151 4 0
Monthly cost of postage £ 3 0 0 Annual cost £ 36 0 0
Printing labels & Packaging £ 2 5 0 Annual cost £ 27 0 0
Total per month £17 17 0 Annual total £214 4 0
You can see that in these figures there is no money for those who manage the paper. The £214 shown above is for the costs only, that is, for the ‘bare expenses.’ Between 700 and 750 people now take the paper. If those people send in their subscriptions to sustain the paper it will survive. However, many people owe the paper money, some from the time of Te Kopara. It is through the great generosity of others that your treasure is in a good way.
There is no treasure more precious to us, the Maori People. Our paper unites us all. It is the marae on which each hapu shares its thoughts so that the whole country can know today’s new ideas. Although we have paid out £214 this year the paper is not in debt. It has paid all its expenses. But you must remember that if the Editor was paid for all his work, the cost of producing our paper would not be the same. So since we don’t know what it would cost to employ a man, it is right that you leaders should think carefully about the words of Paratene Ngata about setting up a trust to ensure the continuance of the paper. Printing a magazine is demanding work. Perhaps the most difficult task of the Editor is finding good articles to print month after month. The present difficulties affect the cost of the printing, that is, the expenses, and so we ask you leaders, you who are engaged in agriculture, in farming, and other ways
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of making a living to help with this work of ours. Our forebears said, ‘A bird needs feathers to fly.’ During this time do send your feathers for this precious enterprise. Thank you to all who have generously supported our paper over the past year. Do seek ways by which our paper will be even better.
PUKETITIRI
On 26th October the Court delivered the following decision on the division of the 500 acres of Puketitiri.
W Takana for Hami Tutu and others 2 Shares
Arana for Koputauaki and others 15 „
K Te Roera for Tangiora and others 25 „
H Te Pokiha for Te Paea Tiaho and others 30 „
W Bird for Paora Rokino and others 50 „
Mr Hallett for Tareha and others 60 „
Mr Hallett for P Tomoana and others
and for Karaitiana and others 10 „
T McDonald for Paora Kurupo and others 100 „
Mr Upham for Ngati Maahu 120 „
Mr Upham for Ngati Hinepare 80 „
Total 500 „
SALES TABLE
On 17th October a Sales Table was set up in Hastings by the Parish of Moteo to raise money for the Te Waipatu Church. The villages that took part in this effort were Omahu, Moteo, Te Waiohiki, Whare-rangi, and Tangoio. The profit was £60. The achievements of that stall were outstanding. The chairman of the committee that ran the stall was Te Awhi, the wife of Taranaki Te Ua. Kui, our congratulations to you and all your committee. The Parish of Te Waipatu salutes you all for this great act of kindness that you arranged.
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THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Sermon
The Rev W G Williams, BA
(Continued.)
Daniel 6.17. We read in this chapter the story of how Daniel was thrown into the lions’ cave because he refused to pray to any other god but the Lord. The story says that Daniel was thrown into the lions’ cave. ‘A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.’ Therefore the giving of the Holy Spirit to believers is God’s sign that he will not change his purposes for them, since they had now received the first portion of the treasures that await us. Christ says (John 5.24): ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.’ He also says (John 10.27-29): ‘I know my sheep and my sheep know me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father is greater than all and he has given them to me; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.’ Therefore Paul exhorts us (Ephesians 4.30): ‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.’ If the heart of a believer consents to doing something sinful, it is as if that deed is like a cloud that darkens the sun. The sun is still shining but the person cannot see it because it is hidden by the cloud; likewise, if a believer does something sinful, although the Holy Spirit is within him, the heart of that person is sad.
2 Timothy 2.19. ‘But God’s firm foundation stands, sealed with this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his.” We see in this place that the seal of the Lord
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marks out his very own people. If a person’s own brand is on a sheep or a cow we know that that is his animal and that it should not be taken by someone else. Likewise, when we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit it is a sign that we and all our members have been acquired by God to work for him alone. Paul says (1 Corinthians 6.20): ‘You are not your own. You were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.’ Paul also says (Romans 6.13): ‘No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.’ Therefore pay great attention to this treasure given by God to all who truly believe in him. Let us believe in our hearts in Christ and in his death as payment for our sins and by which we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit as a sign that all our sins are forgiven. Let us determine in our hearts to break forever from wrongdoing and from sin so that we continually see the light of the Holy Spirit shining in our hearts. Let us give over ourselves, all our members, our thoughts, our desires, our words, to the work of God, that those members may be transformed by the Holy Spirit to do the work that God has prepared for us to do. Then we will know real life and joy and happiness of heart every day.
MELANESIA.
This winter a storm hit the area of Melanesia. It was particularly severe in the New Hebrides islands where the schools and Mission houses were destroyed. The Melanesian Mission Committee is appealing for £1000 to restore the buildings that collapsed. The Mission is not appealing to New Zealand only to help in this way; they have asked Australia as well as New Zealand. Last year the Helping Group from Omahu, Moteo and Te Kohupatiki sent one hundred pounds to Melanesia. Who is going to help Melanesia this year?
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PARLIAMENT.
Matters Affecting the Maori People.
The Hon. A T Ngata, MA, LLB, MP.
On 6th February, 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was negotiated between the Queen of England, represented by Captain William Hobson, and the Maori People. The 512 Chiefs who made their marks on the copies of the Treaty were the spokesmen of the Maori People. An explanation of the content of the Treaty was published in previous issues of our paper, covering each clause of that Treaty. It was said there that the First Clause gave the Queen the Government, the chiefly power, and the authority to make laws; in this respect she is represented by Parliament. The following article concerns Parliament, its beginning, the entry of Maori into Parliament, and the Ministers appointed by each Government as Ministers for Maori Affairs.
Soon after the completion of the Treaty of Waitangi, on 21st May, 1840, Captain Hobson issued a Proclamation written in the Bay of Islands and addressed to ‘all those who ceded the authority [mana] and the rule [rangatiratanga] over New Zealand to Queen Victoria and her descendants in perpetuity’ under the Treaty of Waitangi. This did not apply to Te Waipounamu or to the adjacent islands. The Treaty did not bring these under English rule, rather they were regarded as new discoveries and this rule was extended over them.
Now when the mana, that is, the Government of the Queen was declared over these islands, the Pakeha began to realise it, taking charge, running them, and establishing that governance. At first the Governor alone had authority, with his Council to advise him. On 10th March, 1848, New Zealand divided into two parts; the North was called New Ulster and the South, including Te Waipounamu, was called New Munster. The boundary went from the mouth of the Patea River to the East Coast. There was a Deputy Governor and his Council for each area, but the Governor was the ultimate ruler of both areas. At that time the people at large
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did not have representation in the bodies which made laws, that is, they did not yet have power to elect the members. The Governor and his Councils alon had power to make laws. On 330th June, 1852, the Parliament in England passed the New Zealand Constitution Act, and this law was gazetted on 17th January, 1853, giving New Zealand authority. The Legislative Council was set up and provision made for the election of the Lower House, and so the New Zealand Parliament came into being. However there were many amendments made to this Act. It fell to Parliament to say how many members there should be, to declare who should have a vote and who should not, to state the number of years a member should serve before a new election, to make adjustments to the electoral boundaries, and to deal with other aspects of the working of Parliament. It did not settle down. There were many conflicts between the Pakeha members in Parliament as well as confrontations with their electors. Indeed they were a long time quarrelling over whether men without property should have the vote. It was George Grey (Sir George Grey) who eventually ‘brought this matter to land.’ It was a long time before women were given the vote. Mr Seddon concluded this matter. But it was not until 1919 that women were able to be nominated to be members of Parliament.
The first meeting of the New Zealand Government took place at Kororareka. In 1842 it was moved to Auckland where it remained until 1865. In 1863 investigations were made of Raukawa (Cook Strait) as a permanent site for the Government, for Parliament and all its works. Three Commissioners were brought from Australia to investigate and make a decision. They decided upon Wellington and in February, 1865, the Government was moved from Auckland to Wellington where it remains.
The Entry of the Maori People into Parliament.
In 1867 the law was made enabling separate Maori Members to enter Parliament. There would be four, three from the North Island and one from the South Island, to be elcted by the Maori of each area. The Governor was also empowered
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to invite and install some Maori as members of the Legislative Council. The Governor was also empowered to invite some Maori, not more than two, to his Executive Council, to represent the Maori People, besides the sitting Minister for Maori Affairs.
The Legislative Assembly, that is, the Upper House (House of Lords).
I want to begin by listing the Maori who have been appointed as members of the Upper House, (The Legislative Assembly – The House of Lords). Formerly, when a person was appointed to be a member of that House, he held office until he died, or, becoming a pain in the neck, was thrown out. In 1891 this rule was changed so that a person served seven years in the Upper House, apart from those who were in office before the Act was passed. The remaining elders appointed before the law was passed had all died by 1921. Those appointed now are serving under the seven year rule. But the Governor is able, if a member has completed his seven years, to appoint him for a further seven years.
The first Maori called to the Legislative Council were Wi Tako (Wiremu Tako Ngatata) and Te Mokena Kohere, one from the Tai Hauauru and the other from the Tai Rawhiti. This is the list of Maori who have been appointed and have sat as members of the Legislative Council up to the present day.
Name Served Area
Wiremu Tako Ngatata 11th October 1872 – 8th November 1887 Hauauru
Te Mokena Kohere 11th October 1872 – 1886 Rawhiti
Hori Kerei Taiaroa 17th February 1879 – 25th August 1880 Waipounamu
15th May 1885 – 4 August 1905 „
Ropata Wahawaha 10th May 1887 – July 1897 Rawhiti
Henare Tomoana 24th June 1898 – 28th June 1904 „
Mahuta Tawhiao
Potatau Te Wherowhero 22nd May 1903 – 22nd May 1910 Hauauru
Wi Pere 22nd January 1907 – 27th June 1912 Rawhiti
Tame Parata 13 June 1912 – March 1917 Waipounamu
Wiremu Kerei Nikora 26th June 1913 – March 1916 Hauauru
Te Heuheu Tukino 7th May 1918 – 1921 Hauauru
Hone Topi Patuki 7th May 1918 – present.
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Taiaroa was twice appointed to the Upper House. The first occasion was when he was Member for Te Waipounamu in the Lower House. He went to the Upper House. While there he contested the sear in the Lower House again and he returned to that house for five years. In 1885 heended his term in the Lower House and was again appointed to the Upper House where he was until his death. He spent a total of 31 years in Parliament. He is the only member, Maori or Pakeha, to have served twice in one house and twice in the other.
Of the Maori members who sat in the Legislative Council three were members of the Governor’s Council (Executive Council) alongside the Ministers, namely, Henare Tomoana, Mahuta, and Timi Kara. There was a total of eleven Maori and, if you count Timi Kara, twelve who entered the Legislative Council – four from the Tai-Hauauru, four from the Tai-Rawhiti (five counting Timi Kara), and three from Te Waipounamu. There have been none from the Tai-Tokerau. This is a major oversight which needs to be rectified; someone from the Tai-Tokerau should be appointed to the Upper House.
MAORI MEMBERS OF THE LOWER HOUSE
In 1867 an Act was passed enabling Maori to vote for four members as their representatives in the Lower House. On 6th May, 1868, the first four took their seats:
Frederick Nene Russell Tai-Tokerau
Mete Kingi Paetahi Tai-Hauauru
Tareha te Moananui Tai-Rawhiti
John Patterson Te Waipounamu
These sat for three years in Parliament and in the second election they were all replaced by new members. This is the list of the Maori Members of the Lower House for each electorate up until the present day.
(to be continued.)
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THE ANCIENT STORIES COLLECTED BY ELSDON BEST [TE PEEHI]
To the Hon A T Ngata,
Parliament House,
Wellington.
My friend,
Regarding your letter of 10th August, written by you, Sir Maui Pomare and Tau Henare: You asked that I consider allocating part of the Native Civil List to the printing of some of the old stories of the Maori People collected by Elsdon Best. I inform you that I have looked into this and have agreed to use £250 this year and £250 next year for this project.
Yours sincerely,
J G Coates,
Minister of Maori Affairs.
29 September, 1922.
THE WAITANGI HUI.
I ask you to publish these items to be carried by our child to the marae he visits. On 30th March the Treaty of Waitangi Hui was held. The purpose of the hui was to open the Treaty of Waitangi Meeting House. The Prime Minister and his entourage attended and amongst the members present were our elder, Sir Timi Kara, Dr Pomare MP, and Apirana Ngata MP, along with Dr Te Rangihiroa, Officer of the Department of Health, and others. The purpose was (1) the unveiling of a memorial stone to the young men from Ngapuhi who died in the war, and (2) the presentation by Dr Pomare and Tau Henare of
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the Colonial Secretary’s response as to the validity and the authority [ki te Tika me te mana tika] of the Treaty of Waitangi, about which all those who came to the hui had been informed. Therefore you chiefs and leaders, do not be upset that your names are not published in our paper. Greetings to you all. Let me turn to the matter of the collection of money to help towards the opening of the Treaty House. The hapu that collected money were Ngati Whatua, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa, Ta Aupouri and Ngatikahu. The total amount collected by these people was £1005. Where are your contributions, people of the south – Waikato, Maniapoto, Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngati Kahungunu, Wanganui, Taranake, and Ngatiporou too? You hapu, you chieftainships, you who have been named above, do not be upset. Rather, let peace be upon you. This is why I ask the question in this way. (1) This was one of the most important hui held in our country, recognising as it did that our ancestors and forebears who have gone to the place of forgetfulness saw the Treaty of Waitangi as a precious treasure. But the Apostle says (although dead he still speaks to us) , ‘They have died but their works still speak to us.’ This is why I speak to the noble tribes I have named above in this fashion. Take Ngatiporou for example. If they hold a hui they publish everything about the hui including the money contributed by hapu or tribes. It is the same with Ngatikahungunu. But in this case I have seen nothing about the help given by the people from the belly of the fish to the head of the fish. Therefore you should announce the help you have given if you have given help. Greetings to you all. Now let me turn to the money expended on that hui. The total amount was £763. The remaining amount is £242. The surplus food was 26 oxen, 6 pigs, and 5 tons of kumara, however all of this was sold. So thank you, Ngapuhi, for dealing with our possessions so diligently. There would have been no help from the southerners had I not seen it in our paper and taken in hand the things left behind.
From your servant in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tokoroa Poihipi.
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THE WAIAPU SYNOD.
At the session of the Synod of Waiapu held last month there were some matters dealt with relating to the Maori section.
1. Shortage of Clergy. The Bishop pointed out that very many of the Maori parishes were without a minister, because young Maori did not want to become ministers. Only one young man from the whole diocese is at the Theological College in Auckland at this time. The Bishop said that he was going to invite some English ministers to come to minister in Maori areas.
2. Ministry School at Te Aute. The Bishop announced that accommodation was to be provided at Te Aute for young men who have finished their schooling but who want to go on to study for the work of ministry. They would stay on at Te Aute which would have two sections, one for general education and one for preparation for ministry.
3. Clergy Trust Funds. The Bishop praised the Clergy Trust Funds and urge people to look into ways of ensuring the growth of those which are failing.
4. Inspections. It has been arranged that some facilitators will go to Maori parishes with a view to improving all aspects of parish life and clarifying the administration of funds in each parish. Archdeacon Simkins and Peneti have been appointed to do this work. They will begin in February.
5. A Head for the Maori Section. There was discussion of the matter which Hera Manaro had laid before the meeting of Maori ministers, that a single person be appointed to oversee the Maori section of the whole Diocese under the Bishop. The Bishop agreed to consider the matter.
6. The Alcohol Vote. A motion was passed concerning liquor. It asks all Church people to vote for the prohibition of alcohol in the coming vote in December.
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7. First Woman Member of Synod. At the General Synod meeting held in Auckland at the beginning of this year a new law was passed enabling women to take representative roles in the work of the Church – on Committees, as Churchwardens, and as Synod members. At last women are permitted to take these roles. The first woman elected to the Synod is Hera Manaro of Rotorua. The Bishop praised Maori for their alacrity in appointing the first ever woman to sit in the Synod.
8. The Year for the Maori Parishes.
The year for the Maori section of the Church has been put back to December. Previously the Church [financial] year ended on 31st March. Now the Pakeha parish year will continue to end on 31st March but the Maori parish year will end on 31st December. Maori have settled on 31st December because of the demands of farm work and other work, the expenses of which are no calculated until the end of the year as observed by most of the world.
9. Bishop Azariah. The Maori members requested the Bishop to arrange that the Indian Bishop, Bishop Azariah, be welcomed by the Maori People. That Bishop is coming to speak at a major Church meeting being held in Christchurch in Te Waipounamu. Some of the Ministers would like Maori to be able to see that Bishop in three places, Hastings, Gisborne and Rotorua.
But because that man has many commitments it may only be possible for him to meet with the Maori People in one place. There are articles about this man in the December editions (Numbers 5 and 6) of Te Toa Takitini.
HUI AT WAIMANA.
Uru Reweti tells us that there was a Hui at Te Waimana in the Tuhoe area. The object of the Hui is the setting-up of a College for Tuhoe children. Tuhoe have given land to finance that College. We have not yet received a report of what was concluded by that Hui. Tuhoe, congratulations on undertaking this project, a ladder by which your children and grandchildren will be able to climb to the bright peaks of the times ahead. Do send your report so that the tribes can commend your efforts, and to wake up the tribes that are asleep. Your plan is excellent. Be strong!
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A GREETING.
Ernest McLeod.
Greetings to all my friends in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu. Out of the happiness I feel I am sending these greetings of love and praise to you, the men, women and children of each village mentioned in the excellent report of the Chief Inspector of Schools which has been presented to Parliament.
My heart is overjoyed at the progress of the children in their attendance at school day by day and in the good work they are achieving. Therefore I applaud them and am writing this.
Children, continue your efforts to make further progress over the coming years, but do not forget the Maori language spoken by our elder, Paratene Ngata. So much for that. After the opening of the concrete Treaty Hall and after the unveiling of the Shield containing the names of all the soldiers who went to the Great War, I am going h0me to Hokianga.
After lamenting for three months over the deaths of my many friends who died of the terrible flu during those past years, I am attending the Government School at Ruakura, two miles from Hamilton.
Ruakura Farm.
This is a specialist farming school for dairying, pig-farming, growing fruit trees, keeping honey bees, poultry keeping, horticulture and species of grass. The farm covers almost 900 acres.
Many fine houses have been built here by the Repatriation Board where injured soldiers who have returned from the war can stay for a time while they are being taught means of making a living for themselves to add to their pensions. Their favourite occupations are raising hens and beekeeping.
At last I am able to fulfil my desire to go to a school such as this to find out how to raise chickens in an incubator.
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When the chicks hatch they remain for two days without being fed. From the twenty-second day they are taken to another building. It is possible at that time to send those tiny chicks in a box as far away as Otago or Te Rerenga Wairua. They can go for three days without dying of hunger.
It is very satisfying work. Every day people come from all parts to oobserve and to get information. They laugh at how the carers whistle to the chicks which run to the warm spot for them outside the place where they are fed. There are all varieties of fine chickens here. The eggs are sold for 10/6 a dozen and whne the birds are large enough they are sold for one pound. Enough.
Peace be upon all of you.
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A STONE CHURCH FOR TE PAKIPAKI.
At the meeting of the Church held at Te Pakipaki on the night of Thursday, 26th October, Tangiora, the wife of Mohi Te Atahikoia, shared her idea of building a stone church at Te Pakipaki. Tangiora gave £750. The Bishop and his committee added £50, raising the fund to £800. Tangiora and Mohi said that since they were getting old this was a gift to the children, the grandchildren and the tribe. The cost of the building is £800. For the first time we see the love of Maori for the Church in this gift from Tangiora. From the arrival of the Faith in New Zealand there has been no comparable gift (besides the Legacy of Airini Tonore in her will). Nor has such a stone church been erected on a Maori marae. Thank you, Tangi and Mohi. Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews: ‘For God …will not overlook your work and the love that you have showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.’ [Hebrews 6.10]
