The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1927. STUDY OF MAORI.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1927. STUDY OF MAORI.

I It was indeed an eloquent plea for a ■ greater study of Maori language and I lore and for a place for Maori in the I university curriculum which- was put forward by Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., | before the Canterbury branch of the I Internatioal Students’ Service at Canterbury College Board of Governors. Mr H. D. Acland, presided, and he, together with Dr C. Chilton, Rector of the College, welcomed the speaker and paid tribute to the sterling work he had done for his people. “The time is opportune for the university and students to take part in the 3tudy of Maori and Polynesian subjects,” said Sir Apirana. There was . an immense amount of material accumulated during the past seventy years, and this was waiting for students to put into shape which would be acceptable to the public. Not only that, but it was good business to take up Polynesian research. It was increasingly hard, so he was told, for New Zealand students to get employment in New Zealand, and thus many of them went overseas and were lost to the Dominion. He suggested Polynesian research as a profitable and interesting work. “All eyes are on the Pacific,” continued the speaker, “and what Gibraltar and Heligoland have been Singapore will be.” The institute of Pacific relations, sought by round-the-table talk, to get at the minds of the inhabitants of the different countries. The failure to do this had caused trouble in Samoa and Raratonga. The Britisher often had a capacity for making colossal mistakes in an administration to which be was new. Sucb a thing had happened in the early days in New Zealand, but it was the genius possessed by Sir George Grey for Government of Native Races which put things right The lecturer then went on to stress the importance to-day of anthropology. Much of the research already done had to be carried out by rheans of interpreters and there were frequent errors. When the Board of Studies of the University had been approached regarding the claim of Maori to be recognised as a degree subject they were met by the assertion that Maori had not sufficient literature. This was not so. There was sufficient literature and sufficient poetry for a course right to the honours’ standard if necessary. “Is there not developing among us a sense which gives ns certain amount of introspection independence—the spirit of young New Zealand” continued Sir Apirana. We were developing a national consciousness as we got further away from the Homeland in point of time. The young New Zealander was growing up to regard this country ns his home. New Zealand ns his native country, and its natural beauties with their atmosphere of freedom as his religion. This reflected itself in our attitude and the New Zealand spirit was permeating our poetry. Also many of our students were delving into New Zealand subjects for their theses, and this hnd produced some valuable work. Maori was taught to 12,000 native children in New Zealnnd. and spoken by 62,C00 inhabitants. It syas the

language of the predecessors of the pakeha and surely it had just claim to recognition. He looked forward to the time when it would be recognised as a university subject and when a lectureship in it would be established at Canterbury College. The pica of the speaker should result- in something practical coining to pass so that the language of the Maori will not be tost. The nation rather owes it to the Maori to perform that* service. It is due to the young New Zealanders to realise tlie obligations in the matter, and the justice of the plea made across the hills should not be lost on that scholastic community, we hope, but will be taken up in a definite way by those who lead in matters educational.