NEW MEETING HOUSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1941, Page 7

NEW MEETING HOUSE

OPENING AT TE ORE ORE YESTERDAY NOTABLE DISTRICT GATHERING. TRADITIONAL NATIVE CEREMONY' With traditional Maori ceremony the official opening of the Nga Tau e Warn centennial memorial meeting house al Te Ore Ore took place yesterday afternoon before a large gathering of natives and pakehas from all parts of the district. The meeting house was built on the site on which the historical meeting house stood prior to being destroyed by fire about two years ago. The carving on the exterior of the new meeting house, near the entrance is a fine example of Maori art. Some time will elapse before the interior carvings are completed. The old carvings destroyed in the fire were an irreplacable loss. Included in the official party were the Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone, Sir Apirana Ngata, member for the Eastern Maori electorate. the Hon. P. Paikea, member of the Executive Council, without portfolio, Mr J. Robertson, M.P.. and Mrs Robertson. Mr Ben Roberts. M.P., Mr T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, chairman of the Masterton County Council, and Mrs Lee. Mr P. Paku presided.

At the conclusion of the ceremony those present were most hospitably entertained. All the food was prepared in real Maori style—in native ovens. The fact that enlistment for jnilitary service either for home defence or overseas service was still, on a voluntary basis so fpF as the Maori race was concerned was stressed by Mr Paikea. Ho urged those who were unfit for Territorial service to join the .Home Guard units or failing that to assist the Government in any possible way in its war effort. "The impression is abroad among the Maori people that they are liable to be conscripted for military service by ballot, ’ he said. "That is not so. The three services, overseas, Territorial or Home Guard, are entirely voluntary as far as the Maoris are concerned." Mr Paikea conveyed the greetings of other tribes in the Dominion.

MINISTER’S APPEAL. “No country in the world has made such progress as New Zealand in the last one hundred years,” said Mr Langstone. “I wish to make this appeal to the Maori people: lay aside any complaints or grievances until the war has been prosecuted to a successful conclusion. The Government has its hands full in that connection. No one has a right to grumble in this country. The standard of living is higher than that of any other country in the world. Referring to the development of Native lands the Minister said that over 2,000 Native houses had been built, of which some 1,590 had been built under the development scheme. “If a Maori has good, land and he is not using it, then he has no right to it,” added Mr Langstone. He commented favourably on the work of Messrs Ben Roberts and J. Robertson, M.’sP., in connection with the Papawai market gardening scheme. He congratulated Mr Mariihera on having organised the effort. “What a wonderful revolution is taking place in the hearts of that great Republic," said Mr Langstone, when making brief reference to the American Lend and Lease Bill. Mr Langstone went on to outline the efforts the Government had made to assist the Maoris during its term of office. Prior to Mr Langstone declaring the Meeting House officially opened the “tapu” over the building was removed in ceremonious fashion by a Maori maiden in traditional dress.

Sir Apirana Ngata spoke briefly, stating that he found it difficult to reconcile himself to the idea of stucco lining in the interior of the meeting house. The task of carving the rafters and carrying out artistic work' would be costly and would take many months. "The Minister will appreciate that the Government has taught the Maori to work in other directions and look to high wages,” he added. "What could be done cheaply in the past is very costly today.” Mr R. E. Gordon Lee, chairman of the Masterton County Council extended a welcome to the official party. NATIVES CONGRATULATED. ••The local natives are to be congratulated on the way they tackled their problem and raised sufficient money to re-build their meeting house,” said Mr Robertson. He stressed the important part played by the meeting house as a communal centre where Maori and pakeha met on common ground. Mr Robertson made an appeal to the public to subscribe to the meeting house funds to enable the interior carving and furnishing work to be completed. Mr Ben Roberts also spoke briefly and stated that the market garden scheme at the Papawai meeting house was still being carried on. Although the Government's centennial subsidy had been missed the meeting house would be erected_ without Government assistance. More than £lOO. including a donation of £2O by Sir Apirana Ngata. and one of £7 by Pirinoa Maoris, was raised by collection at the ceremony. OPENING DANCE. SUCCESSFUL GATHERING LAST EVENING. To mark the official opening of the Te Ore Ore meeting house a dance was held in the new building last night, at which there was an attendance of about 200. The music was supplied by Te Tau's Orchestra and supper was served by a ladies' committee. The gathering proved most successful in every way.