Te Aroha And Ohinemuri News SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1909. THE MAORI TROUPE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4411, 15 May 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha And Ohinemuri News

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1909. THE MAORI TROUPE.

This above all—to thine oum self be true, And it must follow as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man Shakespeare.

Tiie projected visit of a picked troupe of our native fellow country men and countrywomen to New York, is calculated to do as much by way of advertising New Zealand as any half dozen schemes which we could reasonably have afforded to carry into execution ourselves. We I ought to be honestly grateful to our cousins across tho Pacific for turning their novelty-loving gaze in the direction of our stalwart and musical tribespeople. Nothing impresses the mind more than a really firstclass spectacular display, especially if music of a grand order be added to the entertainment. And there is ‘ no question as to the grand, sonorous i quality of the Maori voices. Music, j under native interpretation is a fresh ! revelation, it is the reinvesture of song with “ the native wood-note wild ” which a too much civilized life destroys. One notices this melodious quality in the Maori voices in song and recitation alike. Probably one could not wish to enjoy a finer instance of it than was to be heard on the occasion of the ordination of the Rev. E. W. Bennet at the little native church at

Ohinerautu. The Anglican servici?, as there conducted, when the tuinul- j tuous acclamation of the ascension psalm, the “Lift up your deads O Ye Gates” was rendered by ihe fullvoiced native congregation, was, truly magnificent. | We are glad to note that our* Government is making such a point ■ of the right control of the party. 1 This is but our duty to the forty, natives who are to be thrust into the stir and excitement, the thrill and novelty of such a trip. A 7 e are proud of our native countrymen and countrywomen; and we hold ourselves responsible for their wellbeing. No doubt the hakas will make a telling impression. But though it may be accounted heresy to say so, we must confess that some of the languid movements of the poi dances admit of comparison with the displays of an English physical, culture class, which is decidedly in favour of the English class. What will, however, appeal to our American cousins is the decidedly fine physique of the Maoris, and their pleasing manners. Further, the object lesson which this troupe will afford to all who have eyes to see, of the way in which Great Britain treats her subjugated peoples, makes it seem a great pity that the trip does not extend to Europe. Nothing could afford a more telling lesson, a more convincing proof of the beneficence of British rule than the happy and dignified bearing of our Maoris. As to the interest which will be directed towards New Zealand itself, it goes without saying that the American citizen, thirsting for the bustling delights of “ change and rest,” will turn his attention to the wonderful home of these wonderful tribespeople, and that Rotorua and Te Aroha will benefit as the direct result. Mr Franklin Matthews, the representative of the “ New York Sun,” who has been the initiator of the trip is to be commended for his good judgment.