Moreover they would have been insulted if he had not claimed it.

Of course, he who lost by _muru_ one week might be able to repay himself the next.
[Footnote 1: Tasman thought the mere resembled the _parang_, or heavy, broad-bladed knife, of the Malays.

Others liken it to a paddle, and matter-of-fact colonists to a tennis-racket or a soda-water bottle flattened.] Certain colonial writers have exhausted their powers ridicule--no very difficult task--upon what they inaccurately call Maori communism.

But the system, in full working order, at least developed the finest race of savages the world has seen, and taught them barbaric virtues which have won from their white supplanters not only respect but liking.
The average colonist regards a Mongolian with repulsion, a Negro with contempt, and looks on an Australian black as very near to a wild beast; but he likes the Maoris, and is sorry that they are dying out.
No doubt the remnants of the Maori tribal system are useless, and perhaps worse than useless.

The tribes still own land in common, and much of it.