LORE AND LEGEND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 9

LORE AND LEGEND

PRESERVATION OF MAORI ARTS A CONSERVATORIUM SUGGESTED (Per United Press Association) * ROTORUA, Sept. 14. The erection of a Maori conservatorium of music and of arts and crafts as the Maori portion of a centenary memorial was suggested to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) by a deputation from the Rotorua Borough Council which waited upon him to-day. The Mayor of Rotorua (Mr I. Jackson), who acted as spokesman, suggested that the Government should consider giving assistance to erect a suitable building at Rotorua which could be made a research centre for all forms of Maori ,lore, music, and legend. The council had considered the matter and suggested that a suitable man tqg, place in charge of such an undertaking would be the well-known New Zealand composer, Mr Alfred Hill. The council was so impressed with the possibilities that it would agree to provide one-third of Mr Hill s annual salary if it was found possible to engage him. Mr Jackson said he considered that the centenary would be a most suitable occasion to erect the memorial, which would not be of brick or stone, but engraved in the hearts and minds of the Maori people. The time had arrived when a concerted effort should be made to preserve the many wonderful legends of the Maori and to develop his music and culture. A building such as he suggested could be used for this purpose. The Minister said that he was impressed with the idea and suggested that it should be submitted through the district centenary committee to the National Committee in Wellington for consideration The Government was anxious to do everything in its power to preserve the culture of the Maori and also to convince the Natives that they would be placed on an equal footing with Europeans in every respect.