TE KOOTI CELEBRATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2301, 21 September 1908, Page 1

TE KOOTI CELEBRATION.

AN ADVERSE OPINION

Writing editornlly on the above subject tho “Auckland Star” says:—“lt as with a certain amount of reluctance that wo draw attention to what appears to ns to bo a distinct error in judgment on tho part of a number of people, whose feeling, no doubt, deserves consideration and respect. Some of tho old settlors in the Gisborno district have decided to commemorate tlio fortieth anniversary of the Poverty Bay massacre, and with that object they propose to bold a picnic on on November 9th next. It is not for us to consider whether this is an appropriate way of celebrating such an event. If tho Poverty Bay settlers think that a picnic is a suitable function for such an occasion as this, wo can only deplore their lack of the saving grace of humor. But that is not our present business. What strikes us as most regrettable is the idea that it is in any way necessary or advisable to perpetuate the romemory of such a tragedy undor the conditions that, happily for us all, now exist throughout New Zealand. It is surely superfluous for us to point out tluit the Maoris are now our friends, and that by tlioir manifold good qualities, and: more especially their loyalty, have won the confidence and esteem of us all no less than their gallant courage and generosity often evoked our admiration during tlio war. What, then, is to be gained now by resurrecting memories that had far better rest in silence and oblivion, and thus inevitably renewing some trace of the bitterness that once unfortunately divided tile Maori and Pakelia? As to tlie Poverty Bay massacre, horrible as it seems at this distance of time, wo must not forget that from the Maori point of view it was merely a casual incident in native warfare; and without plunging into an endless controversy, we may fairly say that Te Kooti had at least plausible grievances of bis own, for which, as a Maori, ho naturally took satisfaction in the traditional native style, lint oven if we put the worst possible construction upon the most sanguinary episodes! in that fierce (struggle is fit not the best and wisest course in this instance to bury tho past and let its memory die with it? Wo cannot believe that oven those who have had the most reason to feel that the Maoris were once our implacable foes still seriously desire to revive and to aggravate the enmity and bitterness that once kept tho tiro races apart. And! tio commemorate:such an incident as this by a pseudo-public celebration in a district where Maoris aro numePous and their recollections of the wars are still clear, can hardly fail t 0 have this effect. Wc are inclined to go further than this, and to question the wisdom even of such-functions as tho Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu fight- hold last week in the Taranaki district* There is something to be said for tho desire to do honor to the memory of von Tempsky, one of tho most picturesque and romantic figures in our -annals. But wo doubt if it is wise to commemorate publieally even heroic exploits, if by doing so we run the risk of wounding and exasperating the feeling of the brave and patriotic native race that fought so gallantly against us for their freedom and their country. And in such cases as the proposed celebration of tho Poverty Bay massacre—quite apart from the question of good taste that we have raised— wo consider that the amount of personal satisfaction to be- gained by the few people concerned is far more than counterbalanced by the harm that will certainly be done if we make a practice of reviving a past that is best forgotten, and thus practically renewing the sense of hostility that once separated us from tho Maoris.