The National tribune., 1891-04-02

POSSESSION OF the SOIL has been assumed. lhPre
IS probably no proof that any aggregate is act
ually autocthonous. Nowhere can the resi-
dents Of different parts Of the earth claiming
original occupancy substantiate this assertion
Everywhere men have gone. other men were
found who had gone before them. There is no
trace IN all the varied records Of human mi
EratiOns Of the discovery and colonization OF
an unpeoplcd land,
Ia The islands which are collectively called
New Zealand the physical features OF their
residents contradict the assumption which the
pOlynrsan name implies. MUlHnesBn, Malay,
aud POlyuusiau elements are here combined
jn the same varying proportions as elsewhere
in Oceauica, A Maori race may be said 70 ex-
ist, and physically ID is one of the finest in the
world. lut that the people in question repre-
sent with any completeness separate aud dis
tinct division OF mankind cannot be admitted
OF course, this is an expression Of opinion
upon adisputed point IN race distribution; but,
Ht the same time, the blending OF stocks In
New Zeaiandcrs is a matter Of fact Further,
this intcrmixtnre lnyOlves repetition OF the
bodily traits which have been described in
connection with Polyncsians at large. The
area occupied by Maori is much more concen-
trated than IN other instances; those physiO-
graphic conditions under which they live are
nearly alike for all, and greater degree OF as
ISOLATION among the entire population which
situation brings about contributes toward
theiT general likeness.
An average Maori is the highest type Of
Polynesian mentally and physically. II is prob
ably not TOO much to say that with respect 10
development they compare iav0raby with any
part al y-cvOvcd race. The English found no
such bold, enterprsing, capable, and
DETERMINED ADvERsARIEs
among the many undevelOped peoples whom
they have an various times encountered aud
but for tho stress OF Circumstance with which
personal pIowcss had nothing 10 do, the story
Oi Russian campaigns Ia the Caucasus might
have been repeated amid the Businesses Of New
Zealand
ID would be easy to compile interesting ma
terials l0g the amusement of the casual reader
from works on ethnoogy, note books, etc, aud
90 fan as any real information concerning the
tribes ln question is concerned, or any insight
into the science Of man which might be thus
conveyed leave him IN the exact state Of
knowledge IN which he was before
When The first Dutch and English nayiga.
tors saw the Maori they were probably the
most elevated Of savage peoples They lived
ln villages which were surrounded by fields
sufficiently cultivated TO afford all the vege-
table food required for the support Of adjacent
communities As fishermen, and particularly
decp-sCa fishermen, they were undoubtedly the
best ID Oceanica An their extant arts Of life
existed in a relatively high state Of progress
The social system was that Of a cOniederacy Of
slaye-h0idiug ircemcn, without caste distinc-
tions among themselves, who elected their own
chiefs. Laws aud public measures were DELHI
Grated upon aud adopted IN general assemblies.
The Maori wife was her husband cOmpau ion,
counselor and equal
Poetry and tie drama had here made at least
an appearance aud their somewhat vague poly
thCism, with Il tendency towards pantheism,
indicated the upward tendency OF religious
thought Brave enterprising, thrifty, truth
fuli faithful in friendship az who appreciate
the significance Of what has been stated will
need uo,bng further 10 assure them Of the
great advance from primitive Savagery that q
people llkc tLis had made Subsequent 10 the
F0RcEBLE OCCUPATION
Of their country, they proved themselves able
pupils Of tie English, who after their first az
gressi0ns learned 10 respect these natives. aud
have uniformly treated them exceptionally
well. Parliamentary COMMITTEES aud pr0vin-
cial Governors anxious 10 do their duty, no
doubt have had them under their paiernal
care for % years, aud in that time more than
half the race has persisted. There arc a larger
number Of Indians in the United States to-day
than There were q century ago and the less
that Is said The better about the honesty. good
faith. and intelligence which has been dis
played towards them as wards Of tbc Nation.
Maori appropriated tho civilization Of these in