1872 - Ward, R. Life among the Maories of New Zealand - CHAPTER XXVI. CONCLUDING REMARKS.

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CHAPTER XXVI.

WHAT New Zealand will really become we of course do not know, any further than inferences may be permitted to guide us. But only let the course of events flow on for a century, equal in value to those which have marked the last thirty years, and it will be readily granted that a numerous, energetic and powerful people will be found here.

The Maori race does not at present include more than 40,000 persons men, women, and children. They are not

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destined to occupy the place long which they now fill; they must improve, the means used professedly to raise them to a higher standard will not be continued in vain; and the natural love of imitation will determine them to seek higher level. One of the great hindrances to their social improvement, is found in the custom which appoints their women to perform the hard labour of the field. This prevents them from bestowing the attention upon their houses which is necessary to insure comfort. On this account principally perhaps the substantial houses of the opulent chiefs, houses well-built by colonial tradesmen, are found with scarcely any furniture other than that of a Raupo whare. The dream of amalgamation of the two races will not be a reality for many years to come; but while they retain their own language, and some of their national customs, we believe that the Maori people will occupy an intelligent and influential position in the country.

There is no probability that the war when once fairly over will ever be renewed. The number of settlements in almost all parts of the country and the application of law to the native people, will be among the means to preserve the peace of the colony. Restrictions such as must gall a people have in fact been taken away, others will follow, till the Maori will be able to dispose of his land in the best market, or retain it at his pleasure. Some years of sullen silence may follow the sharp crack of the last rifle fired with the hope of hitting a fellow man, but another generation will soon look upon a scene which will have sufficient attraction to engage them among the chief actors, in spreading abroad the blessings of peace. The Pai Marire delusion will be remembered only with shame; already it is drooping, we seldom hear

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it mentioned; in New Zealand there will be but "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

We have said but little about the political constitution and working of the colony, as our thoughts have not been turned strongly to this subject, and the changes through which our helms-men are endeavouring to conduct the political barque, may cause a description of our present political status to be inapplicable to the condition of the colony a few years hence.

Many of our leading men in political life are well educated and thorough statesmen, and would compare favourably we believe with those of any other colony; others, men of good common sense, have lifted themselves up from the working classes to fill a place in the parliament of their country. For some years the complaint was loudly uttered that the Maories had no voice or vote in enacting the laws which they were expected to obey; this complaint has now been silenced, and honourable members of our House of Representatives, of the Maori race, take their part in legislating for the colony. The part they take, however, does not extend far beyond their vote, for ignorance of the English language, as well as their crude ideas of law and order, prevent them from being of much real service in the senate house.

The political relations of England with Europe and America afford an interesting study to all classes of our community. For in addition to the fact that 16,000 miles cannot separate our hearts from the Fatherland, the great emporium for our produce, and from whence, we derive the clothing which we wear, the principal tools of our labour, and the most valuable of our home luxuries, make it very desirable that the ocean highway

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be not disturbed by a hostile flag. The steady flow of English literature into our colony, and the monthly interchange of letters, are doing much to mould the character of our youth, and to preserve intact the sterling virtues of the British nation in her most distant colony. Through the present postal route, across America by rail, we are brought into regular communication with the United States, and within a month's intelligence from England by the telegraph, privileges which we did not dream of in the first years of our colonial life.

It be readily seen that this book has been written from a colonial point of view, and by one who has seen much which is here described. But the author ventures to hope that the fact will not lessen the interest which may be felt in his pages. He lays no claim to infallibility; errors may possibly be found, but he is not aware of having distorted any truth through a desire to please or from a fear of giving offence. Not being a partisan to any political or other project he may not be likely to present an unfair picture of facts, which interested writers of the highest honour may over colour or over shade. Nor has he ignored the value of spiritual religion in forming the character of colonial life in its best phases, but knowing that "rightousness exalteth a nation" he has given this subject a prominent position. The war was a subject contrary to his taste, but he was compelled to write of "garments rolled in blood," of the flashing sword, the cannon's roar, of slaughter and of death, without which he could not have presented his readers with a proper view of New Zealand affairs during the last ten years.

Facts will continue to accumulate, changes will occur, the colony will advance, and in this advance-

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ment fresh features will be developed, which future writers will use for the benefit of the public in both hemispheres. Larger numbers in pursuit of noble objects will be reported, an increase of wealth will be displayed, the value of imports and exports will be greater, population will increase, manufactures will occupy a higher place; but the facts which we have described will not lose their interest, and the consequences of these facts upon the Maori and the colonial races will be found in their future history. Lights and shadows have marked the past, it may be so in time to come, to some extent at least, but we cherish the hope of a happy future for our colony; and we will end our pages with the prayer that God may direct all our future movements, and build up of both races a people that shall honour Him.