The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 80a
The Premier in the Urewera Country.—("New Zealand Herald.")
The Premier in the Urewera Country.—("New Zealand Herald.")
"The most interesting part of the Premier's trip was that through the Urewera country. The Urewera Tribe have resisted the advances of civilisation with greater pertinacity than that displayed by any other branch of the Native race; but the Premier's visit has gone a long way towards removing the difficulties which retarded settlement in the district occupied by that people; In dealing with the Maori race considerable tact and judgment are required. It is true that the tribes who have been brought into close contact with the Europeans during the last thirty years have acquired enough knowledge to convince them that their interests are bound up with their white neighbours; but the Ureweras, before the Premier's visit, were in a similar condition to that in which Sir George Grey found the Native race in 1845. A passage from the preface to Sir George Grey's 'Polynesian Mythology' applies with considerable force to the Premier's visit to the Urewera country: 'I soon perceived,' writes Sir George, 'that I could neither successfully govern nor hope to conciliate a numerous and turbulent people, with whose manners, customs, language, religion, and modes of thought I was quite unacquainted. In order to redress their grievances and apply remedies which would neither wound their feelings nor militate against their prejudices it was necessary that I should be able to thoroughly understand their complaints; and to win their confidence and regard it was also requisite that I should be able at all times, and in all places, patiently listen to the tales of their wrongs or sufferings, and, even if I could not assist them, to give them a kind reply, couched in such terms as would leave no doubt on their minds that I clearly understood and felt for them, and was really well disposed towards them.'
"The foregoing remarks fully explain the utility of the Premier's visit to the Urewera country."