Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 13, 2017 18:54:38 GMT 12
REVISING NZ HISTORY 6: THE WAIKATO KING’S LAND REJECTION
A government land offer rejected
In 1878 the New Zealand government offered to the defeated rebels of the king movement the return of all confiscated Waikato land not disposed of by the Government to Europeans.
That generous offer was refused by ‘king’ Tawhiao.
The very reason why many Waikato Maori continued without land was that decision by Tawhiao to turn down the offer, with his refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
Misleading Te Ara and New Zealand online entries
There was no desire by government to strip them of land, or to pander to the supposed greed of settlers.
This fact must not be forgotten. But it is lacking, expunged from modern accounts. Here is the full account from the Government website, Te Ara Dictionary of New Zealand, “Confiscation of Māori land”.
“After the Waikato war, Māori-owned land in west Waikato was confiscated. Most of the Māori population withdrew behind the ‘aukati’ or boundary line of the Pūniu River, in what became known as the King Country (because the Māori King had taken refuge there). This map shows the boundaries of the land confiscated by proclamation of Governor George Grey in December 1864. That year soldier settlers moved into abandoned Māori villages, former military posts and new militia towns which were specially established to guard the frontier.”
That account ends with all Waikato confiscated.
It leaves out two major facts.
1. That initial confiscation was recognised as being too sweeping and commissions set up, resulting in the return of three-quarters of the confiscated land in areas outside Waikato.
2. An offer was made for the return of all unsold land in Waikato, as described above.
Another official website, ‘New Zealand online’, similarly fails to mention these facts.
Land confiscated in line with international law
A partial truth, such as these incomplete, brief accounts, is misleading. It can create an impression that is far from the truth, and effectively tells a lie.....
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 6 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/58246-2/
A government land offer rejected
In 1878 the New Zealand government offered to the defeated rebels of the king movement the return of all confiscated Waikato land not disposed of by the Government to Europeans.
That generous offer was refused by ‘king’ Tawhiao.
The very reason why many Waikato Maori continued without land was that decision by Tawhiao to turn down the offer, with his refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen.
Misleading Te Ara and New Zealand online entries
There was no desire by government to strip them of land, or to pander to the supposed greed of settlers.
This fact must not be forgotten. But it is lacking, expunged from modern accounts. Here is the full account from the Government website, Te Ara Dictionary of New Zealand, “Confiscation of Māori land”.
“After the Waikato war, Māori-owned land in west Waikato was confiscated. Most of the Māori population withdrew behind the ‘aukati’ or boundary line of the Pūniu River, in what became known as the King Country (because the Māori King had taken refuge there). This map shows the boundaries of the land confiscated by proclamation of Governor George Grey in December 1864. That year soldier settlers moved into abandoned Māori villages, former military posts and new militia towns which were specially established to guard the frontier.”
That account ends with all Waikato confiscated.
It leaves out two major facts.
1. That initial confiscation was recognised as being too sweeping and commissions set up, resulting in the return of three-quarters of the confiscated land in areas outside Waikato.
2. An offer was made for the return of all unsold land in Waikato, as described above.
Another official website, ‘New Zealand online’, similarly fails to mention these facts.
Land confiscated in line with international law
A partial truth, such as these incomplete, brief accounts, is misleading. It can create an impression that is far from the truth, and effectively tells a lie.....
Continue reading Dr John Robinson’s # 6 series published in the ‘Kapiti Independent’ here > kapitiindependentnews.net.nz/58246-2/