MAORI’S ADVANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1930, Page 5

MAORI’S ADVANCE

DR BUCK DISCUSSES THE POLYNESIAN.

Interesting comparisons between the Maoris and other Polynesian races were made by Dr P. Buck (Dr Rangl-lii-roa) in an address at the opening of the meeting-house at Kaiti, Gisborne, last week. Dr Buck has latterly been engaged in Polynesian research on behalf of Bishop Museum, Honolulu. . Dr Buck stated that he had been engaged for some time in wandering around studying Polynesian customs, uml he had been particularly struck by the lack of work and technique, such ns was shown on the walls around them, among other races of PolynesiaSuch walls as those were never met with and the reason lay in the weather conditions, which made airy 7 structures tne unbroken rule in other lands. For the same reason, too, such clothing as the Maoris wore was never encountered in those other parts. The Maori had developed tremendously since arriving in New Zealand, and the extent of this advance only became apparent to one who- had studied them both in New Zealand and in their original setting. When he glanced around this magnificent structure, continued the speaker, he was filled with the greatest pride at the advancement of the race. Sir Apirana Ngata had mentioned that he might be inclined to criticise certain aspects, but that was far from his ■ mind for he fully realised the position. New ideas had come forward and they could not carry on in the old ways of the past. Windows had been introduced into the house, affording a contrast to the old-time rununga, and there were other changes, but these were beneficial from certain important standpoints, though they might be frowned at by the elders of the race. The demands of the health officer and the building regulations had to be complied with, even in a meetinghouse. The guiding idea, however, had .been to combine the old ideas with the improvements of to-day, provided it satisfied the artistic sense. Those who had planned that house should be very proud indeed of the happy combination they had produced. ANCIENT CUSTOMS RETAINED. In Polynesia, Dr. Buck explained the old stone marae had been regarded largely in the light of religion, and ceremonies, even such as human sacrifices, were carried out there. With the advent of civilisation, these old maraes were destroyed, since they were considered relics of paganism, and it was hard to find to-day what they were actually like. The Maoris, however, had maintained the functional system of the marae as a meeting-place, a place for social diversion and tribal 'lscussnon, and they were the only race in all Polynesia to do so. He was glad to know this was so, and it was his hope that the tribal marae would be preserved forever. Dr Buck referred to the preservation of the Maori language, also in decided contrast to other parts of Polynesia, where, in some instances, the native language had almost disappeared, and the people had become Americanised. The Maoris had true pride of thoir race, he concluded, and they had every reason to be. They had made a wonderful advance since first landing in New Zealand, and the future, of the race was of the brightest,