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The Laws of England, Compiled and translated into the Māori language.

§ 3

[i roto i te reo Māori]

§ 3.

The people of England were not so fortunate in days of old as are the people of New Zealand now. When they began to frame for themselves laws, in generations long past, they had no example to direct them. They had to open for themselves a road through the thick bush; sometimes right, sometimes wrong; try it here, and find it wrong; try it there; try it on the right hand, if wrong, try it on the left hand: where should the right road be found?

Another difficulty, arising from their ignorance, was that the guides and leaders themselves pulled different ways. One would say, Here is the right path; another would say, Nay, but here: and, after much quarrelling, scarcely were they able to settle anything. How could it be otherwise with blind guides? It was not until after much contention, and many generations had passed, that all were agreed upon one system and were willing to walk in one path.

In the present day, the Maori is more fortunate. A path has been cleared and opened through the forest: it lies before him: he has but to walk in it. A wise and a generous people, the English, have settled in his land; and this people are willing to teach him, and to guide him in the well-made road which themselves have travelled for so many generations; that is, in the path of the perfected law,—in the path by which themselves have attained to all the good things which they now possess; wisdom, prosperity, quietness, peace, wealth, power, glory, and all other good things which the Pakeha possesses. Lat there now be no doubt nor hesitation, but be patient and earnest and follow the direction of those who have been appointed to shew you the right and the finished path. If a man seek to strike out for himself a new path through the fern, ere long he will be exhausted, and will desire to return to the wide and open path, to the path which has been beaten hard and firm by travelling.