Controller Welcomed By Southern Maoris

Radio Record, 8 April 1938, Page 42

Controller Welcomed By Southern Maoris

MEETING the Southern Maoris at Tuahiwi, near Christchurch for the first time last week, Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, Controller of the NCBS, told them that the soie purpose for his. coming to ' the south was to visit the people. of Te Ari Pitama, 8ZB’s Maori announcer. He declared, too, that as Controller, he had issued instructions that the history and culture of the Maori were to be brought to the fore. In about two years the centennial of the Pakeha settlement would be celebrated. His desire was that the Maori interest should not be overlooked. He could safely say, he added, that a saga of Maori history would be presented’ on the air-a saga of the greatest interest to Maori and Pakeha alike. Mr. Scrimgeour was accorded a poetic and warm welcome in true Maori fashion. "We welcome you, not as & stranger from the skies (‘kotuku’) but as an ambassador of the gospel of peace," declared Elder Wiremu, of the Tuahiwi village. As Mr. Scrimgeour approacheds the hall the elderly women of the settle ment sang the haunting "tTaeramai"; then the Tuahiwi Maori Party sang an action song of welcome. Wiremu, stately and dignified, then welcomed the Controller and presented him with two miniature greenstone hei tikis, to be worn as cuff-links. Mr. Scrimgeour thanked the Maoris for their kindness, and said that the service he controlled was:‘as much for the Maori as for the Pakeha. Among the visitors were Mr. F. W. Simpson (station director. 3ZB) and Mrs. Simpson; Mr. M. 8S. Bullivant (advertising manager) and Mrs. Bullicant, Mr, BE. L. Smith (Mayor of New Brighton) and Mrs. Smith and sever-eral-members of 3ZB’s staff. -- A short relay of the proceedings was given.