INTRODUCTION. 
3 
into the habits of the native; the customs of domestic life 
cannot then be observed ; the squalid filth of those who have 
made long journeys,, is often far beyond that of the natives ; 
and in obtaining food, how far is the boasted member of 
civilized life behind the despised savage; the native of blew 
Holland not only knows where to look for it, but how to 
obtain it ; he can fabricate from the raw materials of the 
wilderness the proper snare or net ; he can make his spear 
and use it with unfailing success ; barren and unproduc- 
tive as his country appears in furnishing food, it has a 
sufficiency for those who know how to find and take it. 
If, under such circumstances, the Australian has been en- 
abled to find support where the European could not — and the 
preservation of life is the first principle implanted in the 
human breast — it may safely be concluded that he is not 
deficient in mind, but how much more is this the case with 
the New Zealander. Some years ago, a Settler's Journey 
along the west coast of the Middle Island was published in 
the Government Gazette : this settler, accompanied by several 
natives, was absent nearly two years ; during that long 
period all his own stock of supplies failed, and for months 
he was entirely dependent on the natives for his support : 
had they not known where and how to procure food in that 
desolate and uninhabited part, the entire party must have 
perished.* 
But to return to the subject of civilization. With us, 
society is divided to an indefinite extent ; one is brought up 
in one .useful art, and another in another ; with few excep- 
tions there are none who can turn their hands to any other 
than their own peculiar calling, and a great many to none at 
all. The New Zealander, on the contrary, is acquainted 
with every department of knowledge, common to his race : 
he can build his house, can make his canoe, his nets, 
hooks, and lines ; he can manufacture snares to suit every 
bird, and form his traps ; he can fabricate his garments, 
and every tool and implement required, whether for agri- 
* See Brenner’s Journal of Expedition along the West Coast of the Middle 
Island of New Zealand. 
B 2 
