Inventive Genius Of Maoris Praised By Ambassador

Chronicle (Levin), 10 March 1949, Page 2

Inventive Genius Of Maoris Praised By Ambassador

"Here in New Zealand we realise the; Maori people have accompashed much in various fields. We know theirN work is good. ; It is only by going abroad that we know how good it is." Tnese were the words of the eminerit scientist, Sir Peter Buck, when replying to the welcome- accorded him' arid ' Lady . Buck by the .Mayor, Mi\ C. F. Admore, at Otaki on ' Tuesday. Continuing he ■ said that his work overseas was in no way foreign to tne work of his Maori - kinsmen, and although abs.entlin body from New Zealand he had pot been absent iri spirit. Sir Peuer referred to the particularly high staridard of arts ^and ' craits work attained by the 'Maoris. Some of the ideas nad ' beeri brought by their ancestors from the realms he was now conversant with, Northern Polynesia. New Zealand the speaker referred to as the southernmost poirit' of Polynesia. "The pattern of the work of our \ ancestors was not always successful in the colder climates of Southern Polynesia, and so the inventive genius of the Maori found plants and material suited to the conditions," continued the speaker. He instanced the uses of flax, the weaving of mats and similar work invented in New Zealand. "Although I have been away, I have not been separated from New Zealand. I have f bund out by going away that • the Maori people have lots to ofler New Zealand and to build on in the coming years." On arrival the party were iriet by elders and chiefs of the NgatiyRaukawa tribe on the Raukawa marae, and the Mayor, Mr. Atmore, extended a welcome on behalf of residents of Otaki and •district,;' He was very happy to be associated with the warm welcome extended to Sir Peter and Lady Buck by the Maori people, said Mr. Atmore. Sir Peter was ,a distinguished New Zeaian-der who had _ attained eminence as an anthr'opologist, a doctor, a soidier and a politician. He had come back to New Zealand to take part in the Pacific Science CongreSs as the forempst living authority on Polynesian ethnology. It was 21 years ago sinc'e he had left New Zealand for Honolulu to undertake research in Polynesian history, and he was now a director of the famous Bishop Museum in Honolulu and had recently been knighted by the Kirig. "We are exceedingly glad" that you have found time to pay this short visit to Otaki and we hope that you wiri be back again iri the mot too distant future, for after ari you are now only two jdays' flying distance away," sp,id - the Mayor. "By your achievemerits you have set a splendid example 'to I •your Maori people, as weri as - to your European friends." The returned servicemen of the first Great War were particularly glad to have this opportunity of meeting their distinguished leader, said the Mayor, and he concluded -by extending the best wishes of the Otaki people to the party for a safe return to Honolulu. '"We have seen two wars bnd, as we fought side by side, so shall the two races, Maori and Pakeha, move along side by side. We must have the kindly help in words and thought, the mutual -assistance, cooperation and respect of the . Pakeha. Then we wiri all build the future of New Zealand as one people," concluded Sir Peter. A visit was made to Rangiatea and, after being entertained at luncheon, the official party left for Wanganui.