Maoris On The Move

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 1

Maoris On The Move

.A question asked by "Truth" a few keeks back— why Wlrths' Circus employs so many Maorls^-has opened a vide subject. In replying to this [uestlon, Mr. Geo. Anderson, general nanager for Wlrths' Circus, says that ils firm employs Maoris because they re polite, sober and intelligent. That j, quite true. But it is when we m Ulre Into the reason of so many laorls seeking employment with firths' that an Interesting phase of ie subject presents itself. The Maoris c probably well treated by Wirths', it the reason for their circus travels >es far deeper than that. At heart ie Maoris are a restless people. Even hen contented, and among friends, ley rarely remain m one place long, hey are Immensely happy when going >mewhere or when coming back. In den times, men, women and children avelled hundreds of miles to war In i enemy's country. T^iey fought, and lent weeks on the road walking home rain. Even to-day, m parts of aw Zealand, and especially In the ar North, the traveller will pass on ie roads bands of Blnging Maoris, ell laden with provisions, going on telr way to some distant tangi or ai. On a warm morning a party of aorls will be seen lying outside the aors of their w hares and looking as too lazy to move. But ln the evenig they may all be fifteen miles away, ho Maoris love to be on tha move nd to wander along Blowly and fairly omfortably with a>- circus Is perhaps ne of the most pleasurable things ley know.