The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-23
HONOR MA0RrS
MAGMA CHARTA
Compact Of 1910 Between
Natives and British
Still Remembered I

AUCKLAND. New Zealand. July
22.---The Bay Of Islands. which 10
tho cradle OF New Zealand history.
was the scene on March 20 OF a
ceremony of deep interest. Tho
primo minister in tho presence of a
large gathering OF Maoria and OF de-
sccndants OF members OF both races
who had been present Mt the event
~ years ago, To commemorate the
signing Of the treaty OF Waitangl in
1870. between Governor Hobson and
Maori chiefs.
The treaty OF Waltangi Is tho
Maoris' magma Charta. 1t is n docu-
mont OF extraordinary interest to tho
student OF relations between white
and savage races. Probably In It's
provisions and the circumstances In
which II was signed, Il Is unique
among Buch dealings. BY this treaty
the Maori chiefs agreed to surrender
their sovereign rights to Britain and
Britain promised to protect them
and to guarantee them IN possess
sion of their land and other property
for 80 long as they wished to retain
them. 1t was n short simple and
effective document. New Zealand
passed peacefully into tho British
empire and that empire undertook
TO preserve the Marois' rights.
Treaty Was Challenged.
The treaty was soon challenged;
TO some British people II seemed
absurd to grant such rights to saw
ages. A committee of tho house OF
commons considered IL n mistake to
have acknowledged the Maorls' right
to property. ana the New Zealand
company, which was colonlzlng New
| Zealand. regarded tho treaty "as n
| praiscwOrthy device for amusing and
| pnClfying the savages for the mo-
ment." The colonial secretary.
however, declared that any change
In tho Interpretation OF the treaty
would be inconsistent with policy,
good faith. Justice and humanity.
Tho treaty OF Waitangi did not
prevent war between the whites and
the Mnoris. but II survived these
struggles, In which the British we're
more than once In the wrong and It
continues 10 be the basis OF Anglo
Maori relations. The two parties
met as equals on that day in lS40.
and that equality set the tone for
tho future. No other "savaRe" race
(the Maoris are no longer savages)
occupied quite the same position to-
ward Europeans as do the Maorls.
my HtiNf tiluHl DpHllGhl ilBuAht
they sit In parliament and in the
government; they are admitted to
tho professions and socially the
color line" fs not 80 rigid as in
some other countries. The Maorls
proved their loyalty In the great war
by sending large contingent 10 the
front and II is very fitting that this
memorial hall beside the site OF the
treaty should contain the names OF
those who fought in the struggle.
The list Will be SYMBOLIC OF the
union OF the two peoples.
Satisfaction Expressed.
The scene NJ tho ceremony must
have appealed TO the imagination OF
nll II was TO the Bay OF Islands
that the first missionaries came, and
civilization had It's small beginnings
there, II was there that Hobson
placed the first capital Of New Zea-
land. Across the bay from Watt
ang III the township OF Russell. be-
fore which. in the old days when II
was known as Korornrekn. fleets OF
used 10 lio and where tho
chief. Hone Hcke, cut down the
flagstaff bearing the British flag and
sacked the settlement.
The last survivor OF tho Wait
lugl gathering in 1si0 has gone and
here was touch OF pathos in the
OF n Maori at this weeks
ceremony that there was not n
ntoocd face in the assembly mot
/ trace or the brave men who had
peace" Another Maori
Holcomod the prime minister 80
roe his people who were fast dlsap-
bearing before race Of half
.aEtca. But the dominant note Cf