THE MAORI RACE.

Otaki Mail, 16 January 1922, Page 4

THE MAORI RACE.

The future of the Maoris as a racewas a subject upon which varying opinions were expressed at the Native School Teachers' Conference at Auckland. Mr G. M. Henderson, inspector of Native schools, said that, in his opinion, the M'aori race would in timebe inevitably absorbed with the white ! race, educationally and "otherwise. The ( idea that Maoris would for all time remain a separate race from the Europeans would be dangerous should the Maori population increase rapidly, though he did not think this development likely. If such a contingency did occur Netv Zealand might be faced with a race problem like that in Ameriea. He did'not believe the Native race would die out, but expressed the opinion that it would eventually be absorbed with the Europeans under the best conditions. It was therefore very desirable to lead the Maoris to ideals similar to those of "the pakehas. The president. Mr C. T. McFarlane, said he was opposed to the idea that the absorption of the two races in New Zealand should be made an aim. He believed they should do all they could Ito make pood Maoris and not indiffer-"' ent pakehas. "What." he asked, "have we learned in the past regarding intermarrying? As being closely connected with the Maoris, can we say 'it is in the best interests of the Maori [people? I say, no." With many years' experience oi tie Maoris, he declared he had s t een no good result of intermarriage. ' ' .