Leading Citizens Keen For Maori Art School

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 98, 16 July 1927, Page 8

Leading Citizens Keen For Maori Art School

“Deal Gently” With Old Tapu Laws

IN response to THE SUN S invitation leading citizens throughout the Dominion have forwarded their opinions in connection with the Maori Arts and Crafts School at Rotorua.

Among these was the Prime Minister (Mr Coates) in his capacity as Native Minister. Mita Taupopoki. the Rotorua chieftain, stated the case for the natives, declaring that the old laws of tapu must be respected.

TX this he supported the contention of Mr. George Graham, of Auckland. who said the Maoris did not favour weaving and carving being carried out in the same building; it was against all tradition. Dr. Peter Buck, however, says that the Young Maori is not particularly concerned about these matters. Other opinions include those of: SIR ROBERT STOUT, M.L.C : The ex-Chief Justice declared that he was quite prepared to accept the statement of his old friend. Mita Taupopoki. Mita informed THE SUN that the Maoris were against any infringement of the laws of tapu. “We have to recognise that the Maoris have ‘laws’ regarding all their habits. We would no doubt call their beliefs ‘superstitions.’ just as we refer to our own past beliefs as to ‘lucky days,’ etc. I should think that if we want to carry the Maoris along with us we must not attempt to override

their laws. The younger Maoris no doubt think little of the beliefs of the : old men, just as we abandoned our beliefs in magic and witchcraft.” “DEAL GENTLY WITH THEM” “I think that we should encourage as new industries carving and weaving. There could be found separate buildings for males and females. We have mixed day schools for Maoris and Europeans, and in time the Maoris will no doubt accept mixed schools for carving and weaving. The Maori is an intelligent man. and he has abandoned many of his beliefs in magic, and abandoned them more readily! than our ancesters did their superstitions. Deal gently with them, and there will soon be established these new industries that will be beneficial to them, and a gain to us.” SIR FREDERICK CHAPMAN:

“I cannot conceive that any real difficulty can arise in continuing in one institution the teaching of wood carving and the humbler Maori arts and crafts,” says the Hon. Sir Frederick Chapman. “I am satisfied, moreover. that in such a combination reasonable allowance can be made for

divergent views: even for hone.-t prejudices. It the Maori artists and craftsmen of the future object to the various arts being taught in the same establishment very simple expedient will be to divide the house and there will be no actual contact until the prejudice wears off, which in time will assuredly happen. “The ancient Maori house was virtually one room under one roof. Cooking and other menial occupations were housed apart. The “one roof” text is really an unsound text. A European house may virtually be several houses under one roof .... I am quite satisfied that Maoris will see this as readily as Europeans. I doubt whether the alleged prejudice exists to any great extent or is really deep-rooted where it is found to exist. AGREES WITH DR. BUCK

“In this I agree with Dr. Buck, who is generally recognised as a competent authority in such matters. The project is not simply a revival of ancient Maori customs; it is an advanced project combining Maori and European ideas, and the management must recognise the fact of the mental approximation of the two races and the joint evolution of their ideas as it is recognised in schools and churches and other institutions.”

A MAORI AUTHORITY Mr. Elsdon Best, one of the foremost■ authorities on the Maoris, wrote from the Turnbull Library, Wellington: “I regret that I cannot give you any i information as to the feeling of the j Maori folk with regard to the proposed [ activities of the Maori Arts and Crafts Board. For quite a long time past I have been quite out of touch with natives, hence I know not their views on this matter. “The aims of the board are most praiseworthy, and its possibilities are many. Under the guidance of such men as Sir Apirana Xgata and Dr. Buck I should imagine that its efforts would meet with the approval of the Maori people as a whole.” SYMPATHETIC MINISTER The Minister of Education, the Hon. R. A. Wright. was entirely sympathetic with the project, but he regretted to say “the school is not in my department—it is under the jurisdiction of the Hon. R. F. Bollard. Mr. Bollard was out of town when your letter reached me. and I awaited his arrival in order that I might consult him on the point you have raised. My colleague says that up to the present time the board of management has not considered the question under review and that he is unable, therefore, to make any pronouncement.” The reply of the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare. Minister in Charge of the | Cook Islands (and, incidentally, one of the Maoris' own representatives in the New Zealand Parliament), is framed in his most diplomatic Par- ! liamentary vein: “In regard to the | establishment of a school of Maori arts and crafts. I note that Mr. Graham and Dr. Buck do not agree on the presentday influence of old customs, but I ! regret that I cannot enter the contro- | versy. I content myself with an eiI pression of hope that the school will ' be successful.”