MAORI WOMEN'S INSTITUTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19893, 23 May 1936, Page 3

MAORI WOMEN'S INSTITUTES.

(By Elizabeth Kelso.)

The intelligence of the Maori race is high and they possess many lovable qualities. In bye-gone days they were brave and chivalrous tlghters. Indeed, their inter-tribal fighting was a form of athletics and usually took place after their harvesting. Now they throw themselves into Rugby. The .\laoris lived a communal life which centred round the meetinghouse, while the actual home took second place. This explains two things—ilrstly, the acceptance by the .\iaoris of the \Vomen’s Institute idea, because of its communal basis, and nelghbourliness; and secondly. the need for our .\laori \Vomen's Institutes to specialise for some time to come in homecrafts and hygiene. For several reasons, which .\laori history can explain, it was not considered wise to attempt the Organaisation of Maori \Nomen‘s Institutes, while the l‘lurupcan or “palmha” Institutes were still absorbing the time and thought of all who were engaged in the work of cstablishing them. The Maori Institutes, with the exception of a very few, are still in the early stages of development. Both the men and women have natural gifts in handicrafts. Carv—ing has always adorned everything from the mectinghouse to their weapons. The great Councilhouses are said to have been the most beautiful structures along the Pacific. Thus it can be understood that. in addition to their own beautiful weaving of mats, kits, hats and so on, the Maori women have readily taken up all the usual Institute crafts. An exhibition confined to Maori \\‘omen's Institutes held recently showcd very little difference from a European display by Institutes of the same age, and it is agreed by those who understand the Maori that the best way for them to learn about homelife is through handicrafts. The standard of workmanship at this display went, of course, from one extreme to another. One small table cover was made from a flour—bag. The owner had no transfers so took her designs from her child‘s drawing—book. She had no silk with which to embroider, so she used coloured crayons! The other extreme was a piece of beautiful Richilieu embroidery. Spinning is encouraged where it is possible to procure spinningwheels, and I picked up a pair of home-spun hand-knitted grey socks as fine and soft as one might find on a Shetland stall. The meetings are very happy gatherings indeed, Team-work Is part of their tradition and they have always been accustomed to leadership. The tribal life was based on hereditary chiefs, who had also to be efficient and worthy of loyalty. We, therefore. endeavour to have Maori omcers In each Institute and a wise “pakeha” (European) behind them. She is very often a district nurse, 8. teacher, a Church Sister or misionary, or a resident. farmer's wife. Their love of ceremony and order is a fine asset to them in the conduct of the meeting. The language used, of course, is Maori, unless there are Europeans present, and then they employ an interpreter or use English, as all the young generation speak beautiful English and most of the older people understand It. The management of money is something of a difficulty. Individualism was unknown in Maori tradition and it is difficult for them to adapt themselves to our careful and rigid form of accounting for every penny. There have been times when they wished to use the Institute money to enable the whole tribe to attend a football match, and were he—wildered by the refusal. Their happy outlook on life, however, very often helps to solve many problems. In one case an Institute, finding itself in some difficulty, wished to send the President to consult the nurse who, because of the large districts, was ten miles away. The question was, could they legitimately use some of the funds to pay her travelling fare, the women themselves having no money. The President. was full of doubt —“Perhaps if I use the money I shall get into trouble with Nurse," she said, to which the Chief's wife replied, philosophically,—“Never mind! Use the money now and have the trouble after." There is a rich future before the Maori VVomen‘s Institutes. Through them we hope to save and extend their own arts and crafts, to develop their love of music, to improve their knowledge of home-mal-ziug, and to raise the standard of health. It is the devout hope of the writer, however, that we shall not make the mistake of creating their Institutes in our image only, but that, while we use .them as avenues for enlightened teaching. we shall leave it to the Maori .women themselves to give their Institutes their final form, expressive of the intellectual ability and generosity of this lovable native race. —From the “ Countrywoman," London.