LESSON OF THE MAORI PAGEANT.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 31, 17 February 1928, Page 4

LESSON OF THE MAORI PAGEANT.

What impresses us most aout the Maori pageant and the brilliant success won by the artistic and balanced programme presented thereat is the effectiveness of the medium of broadcasting for introducing a new thing to the whole country. Jt can, we think, safely be said that only a handful of people in the Dominion, apart from broadcasting, had had -the opportunity of hearing to. advantage the melody and harmony possible from balanced Maori voices. Only the few who have travelled in the hot lakes district may have ever attended a Maori concert, and then under conditions and auspices which are perhaps least advantageous to the splendid qualities of the Maori race. Literally thousands of white people in the South Island have never seen a Maori, and know nothing of his history, tradition and musical capacity. Then in one magic evening they are introduced to a new world of melody. In the company’s happy thought. of celebrating the anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi in this way, a distinct musical service has been rendered the country, and it is to be hoped, as many listeners have already expressed, that the vein of talent so opened up will be fully developed for broadcasting purposes. If the increased interest thus certain to be developed in Maori song and story leads to greater ‘appreciation of their a.t and the preservation of their songs for future generations, it will be all to the good. Another pleasing feature about the broadcast has been the volume and spontaneity with which the appreciation of listeners has been expressed. The event was well announced beforehand, so that a huge audience stood ready-unquestion-ably the biggest audience ever concentrated on one single evening in this Dominion for any one event. That so many of this audience were moved to write their personal thanks augurs well for the relationship being built up with listeners. We are a small country, and opportunities for special features are limited but given the opportunity this pageant shows there is present the enterprise to develop it to the full for the pleasure and service of listeners.