Maori Support

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 312, 24 March 1928, Page 23

Maori Support

Alexander Marky Film NO TRIBAL JEALOUSIES i East Coast Location AN IMPORTANT MEETING OF MAORI LEADERS AT ROTORUA LAST WEEK UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO COOPERATE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT WITH MR. ALEXANDER MARKY’S PROJECT FOR A NEW ZEALAND FILM WITH AN ALL-MAORI CAST.

Those who took part in this special conference, which lasted three hours, included such well-known figures in Maori life as Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P.. Dr. Ellison (Director of Maori Hygiene). Ven. Archdeacon Williams, the Rev. P. A. Bennett, Mr Hamilton (Director of the School of Maori Arts and Crafts). and Mr. Tai Mitchell. "This decision will make it possible for me .eallv to do justice to my film ” Mr. Marky informs the Film Editor of The Sun. It will mean also that I shall obtain the best elements of all tribes." One important result of Mr. Marky’s preliminary investigations is that he has been able to avoid arousing tribal jealousies, which, in the past, have played such a large part in Maori life. As one Maori speaker at a reception at Rotorua to the Universal Films director, said: "Vour coming here to make'this picture means a great deal to the -Maoris. In the very first days of vour stay among us you have brought two hostile tribes together for a common purpose.”

The reference, of course, was xo the visit that Princess Te Puea Herangi, of Waikato, paid to Rotorua to participate in Mr. Marky’s welcome, and generally to assist his project. It is a well-known fact that no love is lost between the Arawas and the Waikatos, though to be sure the Princess was received with that dignified ceremonial which becomes her rank when she visited the people of Rotorua quite recently. Mr. Marky and his party were-sub-sequently the guests of Te Puea at her: pa at Ngaruawahia, and the chieftainess and her husband, posed for the camera. Though a number of screen tests have been made by Mr. Marky, no principals have yet been engaged. When this is done a start will be made with the American director’s own scenario. It will be some time yet, however, before the party will be on • location” in the East Coast district. Here Sir Apirana Ngata is arranging a big “hui” which will play a part in the feature film. An old-time fighting pa has already been selected in this district in which scenes will be made. Meanwhile, Mr. Marky is remaining at Rotorua where he will continue with his investigations. Several travelogue pictures haxe already been made, and will in due course be sent back to the United States.