MAORI FINE ARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 46, 24 February 1931, Page 9

MAORI FINE ARTS.

PROPOSED MEETING HOUSE.

ABANDONMENT OF PROJECT. OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. Tlie claims of fine arts have suffered a reverse in the mind of the Maori of to day in favour of the surer pursuit of useful arts, and this fact was demonstrated at Waitara during the weekcad, when 500 Maoris gathered to discuss present-day problems of their own with Mr. Taite Te Tomo, member for the Western Maori electorate, who made his first visit to the district since the election. The debate disclosed that the Maori the need for practical progress. He is willing, however, to put on one side matters other than those of primary importance in view of the temporary depression. A cherished ideal amongst the younger generation, and to a, lesser extent amongst the elders, for the past two years has been a frictioncarved Maori meeting house at Manukorihi Pa.

Following important discoveries of relics in swamps, earnest attempts were made to establish a sccond school of ai ; ts and crafts at Waitara. That idea was to have centred round the erection of a meeting house with characteristic architecture and embellishment. Economic •changes have occurred, however, since iiio project was mooted Tiie matter was discussed fully at the week-end meeting, and it was decided unanimously to abandon, for the present at least, the proposed step, the view being held that there were other matters to exercise the progressive Maoris to-day of more importance than carved Maori meeting houses. Although details of the business were not announced, it is learned that a protest is to be made against the amount and tenuis of compensation recommended by the Commission of 1928 relative to natixe land confiscation claims. It is understood thftt Mr. Taite To Tomo promised the meeting to bring that and other matters before the House next session.