MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1939, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

FRANK SPEECH. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Frank open sincerity is the tenor of all Maori utterance at their informal Korerotanga (talks). These meetings and the subjects of discussion are not prearranged but arise casually just as our own fireside conversations with the family or chance callers. Havingno Pakeha guests who can reliably translate their rapid speech or interpret their figurative reference to every day happenings, we fail to realise the meaning of their words or the depths of their philosophy. They frankly criticise our hundreds of social, religious, business, and political institutions as a distinct sign of weakness and enmity.

Eagerly and intelligently they comprehended the allegories of the Bible, and openly criticised or condemned our tendency to translate literally. In the early days they attended one or other of the Christian churches, and nothing but physical disability would prevent them. So great was their reverence for the Bible narrative that they sought eagerly to learn and language and abandon their own. only to find that no Pakeha would occupy the same pew. but sat as far back as possible. Adopting an Americanism, one Maori student said: "You Pakeha worshippers sit far back from us so that the Superior at the exterior may view the inferior on the interior from the posterior.” "Aye. ’tis just the same in your best hotels as your churches." said an educated Maori lady of gentle manner and a voice of music. "1 seek the hospitality of either, but my tattooed lips, the token of my noble ancestry, are a barrier of ice. Even the command of the Man of Sorrows to carry neither purse nor money has lost its meaning for you. How then can the Maori be rescued?”